In case you didn’t know, First Take has a new host in Shannon Sharpe (heck, even Sharpe seemed to not remember just which show he was on in the first episode). He’s already displaying some great chemistry with original host Stephen A. Smith, aside from accidentally calling him “Skip.” Before Smith slapped on a name tag to help his new co-host remember his name, the two hosts teamed up to take on one of the summer’s most hilarious memes, which of course involved Drake.
Earlier this year when Drake teamed up with buzzing UK rapper Central Cee for “On The Radar Freestyle,” Drake’s goofy faux-British accent caught fans’ attention, and they couldn’t stop making fun of the way he pronounces the word “combination” on the track’s intro. Hopping aboard the bandwagon, Sharpe and Smith’s social media team inserted the two hosts into a screenshot of the video, captioning the post with, “The combo we all needed.”
The joke was a big hit in the comments, with one responder writing, “Whoever made this needs a raise!!!”
The new First Take crew is clearly leaning into their shared love of hip-hop for content; after comparing their respective physiques to The Rock and Snoop Dogg on a past podcast, they got a response from the Long Beach rapper himself showing off his gym progress. I’m getting my weight up so when I come on the show will talk about [weightlifting emoji],” he wrote. “Thanks 4 the motivation.” With these two jokesters, it appears First Take will be less about tearing down athletes for engagement and actually having some fun with the intersections between music and sports.
The 2023 Reading & Leeds Festivals are set to take the stages in their respective English cities with massive lineups consisting of just about every kind of music imaginable. The headliners include The 1975, Billie Eilish, Foals, Imagine Dragons, The Killers, and Sam Fender, while everyone from Central Cee and Loyle Carner to Steve Lacy and Lil Tjay are set to perform from August 25 to August 27. With two main stages at each festival venue, as well as smaller stages representing Radio 1Xtra, Radio 1 Dance, Festivals Republic, and the festivals’ annual comedy showcases. Here are the set times, thanks to NME. You can find more set times on each festival’s respective app. Reading app here, Leeds app here.
READING FESTIVAL
Friday, August 25
Main Stage East
12:40 – 1:10 Yard Act
2:10 – 2:45 Tion Wayne
3:45 – 4:20 Mimi Webb
5:20 – 6:00 Wet Leg
7:20 – 8:05 Loyle Carner
9:50 – 11:20 Sam Fender
Main Stage West
12:00 – 12:30 Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls
1:20 – 2:00 Sea Girls
2:55 – 3:35 You Me At Six
4:30 – 5:10 Trippie Redd
6:10 – 7:10 Bicep
8:15 – 9:45 Foals
Saturday, August 26
Main Stage East
12:00 – 12:30 James Marriott
1:20 – 1:50 Baby Queen
2:40 – 3:10 Holly Humberstone
4:00 – 4:35 Inhaler
5:35 – 6:15 Nothing But Thieves
7:15 – 8:05 Central Cee
9:50 – 11:20 The Killers
Main Stage West
12:40 – 1:10 Jamie Webster
2:00 – 2:30 Arlo Parks
3:20 – 3:50 Easy Life
4:45 – 5:25 Chase Atlantic
6:25 – 7:05 Knucks
8:15 – 9:45 The 1975
While a lot of the ongoing celebrations of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop have focused on where hip-hop has been, it doesn’t make much sense to focus only on the past. No Hip-Hop 50 celebration should be considered complete without taking a look at where hip-hop is going.
As The Notorious B.I.G. once pointed out, no one could have seen where rap music and hip-hop culture would have ended up at the outset, but in the same vein, even he couldn’t have seen how things would turn out 30 years after he recorded “Juicy.”
That makes it a fun and unique challenge – it’s impossible to predict where hip-hop could be in another five years, let alone fifty. Still, if these young rising stars have anything to say about it, the genre should be in great hands.
Here are 10 rising rappers who have the potential to dictate what hip-hop could look like in the future.
Cash Cobain
Rap fans have often been ambivalent about embracing the avant garde. For every Young Thug who blows up, there are a dozen rappers with squeaky or slurred voices who never gain traction among hip-hop heads, who can be as fickle as they are loyal. But when they do decide that they love a new artist with an original ken, they can be as devoted as they once were skeptical.
Cash Cobain is one of those artists who has a chance to go either way. The self-declared “sample God” of New York drill, the Queens native has a flow that is slippery in ways we haven’t heard from trap rappers who have earned the same descriptor. His unabashed pillaging of millennial R&B hits certainly makes him more likely to earn fans than foes, and even if he never hits it big in the traditional sense, his style is guaranteed to influence someone who does.
Central Cee
As much as stateside rap heads have held the UK’s grime and drill artists at an arm’s length in the past, that reticence to embrace hip-hop’s extended family from across the pond has slowly eroded in recent years. Part of this may be due to the clever backdoor those cousins have utilized; drill production, which originated in London’s underground rave scene, is now a familiar fixture on the streets of New York.
Be that as it may, Central Cee doesn’t water down or hide his Shepherd’s Bush, London origins or influences. And while he hasn’t crossed over to US radio, those in the know have accepted him as the future of the British rap regime. It helps that he’s closely associated with a prior favorite in Dave, with whom he collaborated on an EP, Split Decision, earlier this year. It was well received, with its single “Sprinter” peaking at No. 1 on the UK charts. And just in case there was any doubt about his viability with a Yankee audience, he’s got that coveted Drake co-sign via his “On The Radar” featuring The Boy himself.
Chris Patrick
An indie rapper who doesn’t sound like an indie rapper, East Orange, New Jersey’s Chris Patrick has gained a small but extremely vocal following blending the sort of cerebral rhymes commonly associated with artists on the independent scene with thumping, anthemic beats that wouldn’t sound out-of-place in a crowded club or blasting out of car stereos on a sweltering summer day.
Patrick’s 2022 album X-Files is much like its namesake; it started out a cult favorite, but now, a wider audience is curious to see what all the fuss is about. Patrick’s next project will undoubtedly have a larger impact, proving that there are more directions that independent rappers can still go.
Flyana Boss
In Uproxx’s profile of the viral sensation rap duo, group member Bobbi LaNea asserted that they are “paying tribute to what hip-hop truly is.” Their clever use of nursery rhymes in their lyrics harkens back to Run-DMC’s use of the old “Peter Piper” tongue twister, and Flyana’s back-and-forth flow recalls the intricate routines employed by classic pioneers like the Furious Five and Beastie Boys.
Though Flyana Boss burst onto our timelines with the splashy social smash “Miss Me,” they are no one-hit wonders. They have a solid discography that proves that the well of ideas runs deep – but past that, their lasting legacy will be kicking open the door for future “weird Black girls” to express themselves through hip-hop in unconventional ways. Whether that’s wearing elf ears, name-checking Kanekalon, or just being willing to cause a commotion in the local convenience store, there’s value in what they’ve already done.
Kenny Mason
Rap and rock go hand-in-hand. From “Walk This Way” to Collision Course, the shared rebellious spirit of the two in-your-face genres has made magic throughout the past five decades. And sure, there have been some missteps – nu-metal, anyone? – but in recent years, the covalent bond between rap and rock has generated some truly compelling combinations courtesy of acts like Rico Nasty and Trippie Redd.
Kenny Mason’s music, on the surface, seems to stem from that tradition, but shot through with an undercurrent of indie sleaze – the sort of shoegaze-y, fuzzed-out rock that took over pop culture throughout the late aughts. Mason is equally comfortable collaborating with festival rap faves like Denzel Curry and JID as he is imbuing his output with the alt-rock vibes of My Bloody Valentine and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
LaRussell
There’s been a lot of talk lately about how crowded and repetitive festival lineups have gotten. With so many events in the space and only so many rappers around with the sorts of followings that justify their placement, it stands to reason that a lot of the same names have been popping up on many different rosters.
LaRussell, who hails from Vallejo (just like fellow indie rap pioneer E-40), could easily be a standout of one of those lineups. Instead, he’s more likely to pull up in your neighbor’s backyard to play a show for a few dozen folks at a time. His backyard tour concept is just one of the innovative spins he’s putting on the independent rap hustle. He’s kept up a steady stream of self-released projects and singles, punctuated by semi-regular appearances on your favorite radio freestyle shows. He’s perking up a lot of eyes and ears, proving that there are alternatives to same-old-same.
Lady London
If you’ve ever found yourself complaining about the prevalence of so-called “pussy rap” among today’s flourishing cadre of female rappers… Well, first of all, stick a sock in it. That complaint’s old, dusty, dried-up, and overdone, in addition to being terminally untrue. Today’s buffet of talents offers such a wide range of voices and styles that whining about a bare handful of modern rap artists – especially when they’re nothing compared to some of the genre’s pioneers – is a waste of your own time, in addition to being pretty annoying to everybody else.
But, it also makes it obvious that you haven’t been looking for alternatives like Lady London, who has recently received co-signs from the likes of Ciara, who tapped her for the remix of “Da Girls” with Lola Brooke. She’s exactly the sort of lyrics-focused MC that critics of female rappers say they want, and she’s only getting more popular by the day. She’s the proof that there are plenty of bars-first women in rap, and she’s kicking open the door for more to follow.
Luh Tyler
He’s been called the coolest teen in hip-hop, but Tyler’s success portends something larger. For years, hip-hop was all about cool; rappers exaggerated their fashion sensibilities, material possessions, and successes with the opposite sex first and foremost. Somewhere along the way, it became more important to have a good story; “keeping it real” was paramount, but only so long as “keeping it real” meant “keeping it gangsta” or baring some gut-wrenching trauma.
Luh Tyler is too busy talking to girls and telling you about his income for all that. And while that’s not exactly new, the way he does it, with laid-back panache and subtly clever lyricism, is refreshing. He doesn’t try to impress you, so he does. With that as his calling card, he’s helping swing the pendulum back the other way. Think of him as a Larry June for the zoomer set.
Ray Vaughn
For a decade, Top Dawg Entertainment felt like the premier hip-hop label thanks to its core artists, which included Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, and of course, Kendrick Lamar. But lately, that core has been less visible than ever as it feels a little bit like Jay and Q have lost interest in music and Kendrick has moved on from the label. Sure, the remaining members are still working on new music, but it’s been a long time coming, and the label could use some fresh blood to energize the buzz around itself.
Enter Long Beach’s Ray Vaughn, who brings a level of passion and hunger to the same sort of street-centric, philosophical music the original TDE roster was known for. But while they were enamored of lo-fi, moody production that highlighted the heady material, Vaughn emphasizes energetic street bangers – exactly the sort of sounds needed to revitalize and anchor TDE as it enters its new era with a fresh cast including Doechii, Zacari, and Reason.
Yes, “FreakyT,” the breakout single from North Carolina rapper TiaCorine, is representative of the Winston-Salem native’s talents. But that’s not all she has to offer. Thanks to a colorful presentation – like a lot of today’s young talents, she counts anime as foundational to her artistic identity – she’s got an eye-catching style that makes her impossible to overlook. But past that, she’s got a wide variety of approaches, as demonstrated on her 2022 mixtape I Can’t Wait.
The diversity of style she embraces is very emblematic of her generation. From the video game-glitch-hop to pop rock to dreamy pop, she’s willing to try anything – and she sounds great doing it. There will soon be more artists like TiaCorine than not, as hip-hop kids continue to embrace the breadth of popular culture and weird internet movements, incorporating them into rap standards and transforming both sides of the equation.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Drake’s collaborative spirit isn’t reserved for tour.
On Friday, July 21, On The Radar shared a freestyle between Drake and UK up-and-comer Central Cee. Drake had been teasing the video on Instagram, writing, “A little exercise on a off day…me and Cench @ontheradarradio loading [“up” emoji, cold face emoji].”
In the nearly five-minute video, Drake starts off.
“If I take flicks with the guys / I gotta put emojis over like three faces / ‘Cause the fans can’t see those eyes / People I shouldn’t be beside,” the OVO boss raps. “When I was an actor, they would go Stratford / Just to sell food on Bieber’s side.”
Within his flow, Drake explains why he’s hard to read and even harder to tie down. He admits to keeping an eye out while performing (“Seen you from the stage in the 100s / These must be eagle eyes”) and even likens himself to Jesus and Julius Caesar.
Drake finishes out by boasting about his longevity and continued dominance (“Cench might need vaccine when he see how this vid start going viral”) before handing the mic off to Central Cee.
Cee seamlessly jumps in and piles on the flexing — “Now I can sell out the O2 Arena twice / Don’t ask what the fee looks like” — and touches on the isolating feelings involved when elevating above his peers. The finishing touch was Drake throwing his arm around Cee and sipping from his red Solo cup.
Earlier this week, XXL Magazine unveiled its annual Freshman Class of rising rappers that have the potential to be the next big stars in hip hop. Each year, the list tends to provoke conversations about the current state of hip hop and which newcomer will impact the genre. Twelve artists appear on this year’s cover, including the likes of Lola Brooke, Fridayy, GloRilla, and others. Also shown on this year’s cover is Central Cee, who stands out among the rest of the artists.
The West London rapper is the second UK artist to ever make the XXL Freshman list, with the first being Stefflon Don in 2018. His appearance on the cover speaks volumes about his recent success in the United States. At just 25 years of age, Central Cee has become one of the biggest names in the UK and is now making waves overseas.
One Of Drill’s Biggest Stars
Central Cee is from Shepherd’s Bush in West London. He started rapping at 14, releasing various singles, EPs, and freestyles. Central Cee is one of the biggest artists pushing the UK drill genre forward. Within the past four years, UK drill has proven to be a driving force in hip hop culture. The hip hop subgenre reinvented the original Chicago drill with the edginess of grime, further influencing New York drill.
Central Cee’s career took off in 2020 when he caught multiple hit records with “Day in the Life” and “Loading,” with the latter being one of his biggest songs. Both of these singles led to the independent release of his debut commercial mixtape, 2021’s Wild West. In addition to “Day in the Life” and “Loading,” the project also featured the commercially successful song “Commitment Issues.” His second commercial mixtape, 23, arrived in 2022 and was also self-released, featuring the hit single “Obsessed with You.” Both of Central Cee’s commercial mixtapes are now certified Gold. So far, he has yet to release his official debut album.
Central Cee’s Viral Moment With “Doja”
In the same year he released 23, Central Cee dropped his biggest single to date with “Doja.” The song samples Eve and Gwen Stefani’s 2001 song, “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” and name-drops Doja Cat. “Doja” instantly went viral on social media because of its famous sample, title, and, most notably, a particular lyric. Central Cee raps, “How can I be homophobic? My b*tch is gay.” Cee won his fourth MOBO Award for the song’s video and has been nominated for various categories eight times. The success of “Doja” has led to further success for Central Cee, allowing him to reach beyond the UK into international audiences.
Recent Successes & Ventures
Central Cee has crossed over as one of the biggest rappers in the UK and one of the biggest artists in the drill genre. He has now seen great success in the United States, playing multiple dates across the country for his worldwide tour earlier this year. He is one of the hottest acts in the festival circuit, as he is listed close to the top of many international festival lineups this year. Central Cee has even been able to venture outside of music, modeling in different collections throughout the past few years.
Earlier this month, Central Cee teamed up with Dave for a collaborative EP titled Split Decision. The project displayed the immaculate chemistry between two of the UK’s biggest rappers. The EP’s lead single, “Sprinter,” is also an early contender for song of the summer. It was recently announced that Central Cee signed with Columbia Records in partnership with Sony Music UK. His partnership with a major label indicates that he is only just getting started with his successful rap career. Central Cee is clearly on a hot streak that is not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon, and his appearance on this year’s Freshman cover for XXL reaffirms that.
In the world of UK Drill, a genre defined by its dark, brooding, and often confrontational lyricism, one name stands out: Central Cee. But Central Cee is not alone. This generation of artists is reshaping the UK Drill landscape with their unique takes on the genre. Here, we delve into the world of these rappers who share similarities with Central Cee.
A Brief Overview of Central Cee
Central Cee, real name Cench, hails from West London and has grown to become a prominent figure in the UK Drill scene. His music reflects the harsh realities of street life, punctuated by his gritty lyrical style and the unmistakable Drill beat.
Digga D: A Contender In The Drill Scene
Digga D is another prominent name in the UK Drill scene. His musical style shares many similarities with Central Cee. Both artists have an unrivaled ability to narrate the tales of street life with a sense of raw authenticity. Their lyrics, often laced with slang and references unique to London life, resonate deeply with fans and have propelled them to stardom.
The Rise Of Unknown T
Unknown T, born Daniel Lena, has carved out a unique niche in the UK Drill scene. Like Central Cee, Unknown T’s music explores the complexities of urban life. But he sets himself apart with his distinctively deep voice and the intricate wordplay he brings to his tracks.
Ivorian Doll: A Force In UK Drill
While the UK Drill scene is largely dominated by men, Ivorian Doll is a testament to the growing presence of female artists in the genre. Just like Central Cee, she pulls no punches in her music. Her lyrics are raw and unfiltered, vividly depicting her experiences.
Pa Salieu: Fusing Afrobeat With Drill
Another artist making waves in the UK Drill scene is Pa Salieu. He shares Central Cee’s ability to weave stories of urban life into his music. Yet, he sets himself apart by seamlessly blending Drill with elements of Afrobeat, bringing a fresh twist to the genre.
How These Rappers Are Shaping UK Drill
COVENTRY, ENGLAND – MAY 28: Central Cee performs on stage during Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2022 at War Memorial Park on May 28, 2022 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
These artists, along with Central Cee, are driving the evolution of UK Drill. By bringing their unique perspectives and styles to the genre, they push boundaries and challenge the status quo. This new generation of artists is maintaining the essence of Drill and expanding its reach to broader audiences.
Conclusion For Rappers Like Central Cee
In conclusion, while Cee is a significant figure in the UK Drill scene, he is not alone. Artists like Digga D, Unknown T, Ivorian Doll, and Pa Salieu are also making their mark. They are shaping the genre, bringing their unique styles, and challenging the narrative of what UK Drill can be. This fresh wave of talent proves that the UK Drill scene is alive, evolving, and more diverse than ever.
The 2023 XXL Freshman has been revealed. The artists gracing this year’s cover include Philadelphia’s 2Rare, UK rapper Central Cee, Milwaukee native DC The Don, Memphis breakout stars Finesse2Tymes and GloRilla, the crooner Fridayy, New Yorker Lola Brooke, Florida fly guy Luh Tyler, New Orleans standout Rob49, Real Boston Richey, Michiganer SleazyWorld Go, and Houston viral star TiaCorine.
If those names aren’t familiar to you, Uproxx has you covered with some background. See the links below for more information about each of these rappers, from their UPROXX Sessions performances to profiles and interviews explaining just who they are and why you should be paying attention.
Here’s 2Rare’s UPROXX Sessions performance of “Q-Pid.”
Central Cee and Dave recently teamed up for the drill hit “Sprinter.”
DC The Don performed “Enemies” on UPROXX Sessions.
Finesse2Tymes shared his Bar Stories with Uproxx’s Cherise Johnson.
Last year was a big one for London rapper Central Cee. After the release of his 23 project, Cee went on to release the biggest song of his career with “Doja.” The track helped him become more of a recognizable name, especially among fellow London rappers like Dave. All of this has now resulted in “Sprinter,” the first-ever collaboration between the two rappers, and it’s one perfect for summer.
Dave and Central Cee’s new record arrives with a matching video that showcases the pros and cons of their playboy lifestyles. The duo flashes their diamonds and other riches while rapping about their accounters with women since they’ve become famous. Lines like, “We ain’t got generational wealth, it’s only a year that I’ve had these millions” from Central Cee and followed by equally opulent lines from Dave like, “You ever spent six figures and stared at bae like, ‘Look what you made me do.’” It all comes together with a simple that finds Central Cee rapping, “I got too many gyal, too many-many gyal, I got / They can last me the next two weeks.”
Hopefully “Sprinter” is a sign of more music to come from both rappers. Central Cee’s last release came at the top of the year with “Me & You” while Dave’s own dates back to last summer with “My 24th Birthday.”
You watch the video for “Sprinter” in the video above.
2023 XXL Freshman Class 