Central Cee Opens Up The UK Leg of The Can’t Rush Greatness Tour In Birmingham
On April 18th 2025, UK drill/rap artist Central Cee played the first show in the UK on his ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ world tour at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena.
Taking to the stage earlier than most artists, Central Cee began his set around 8:30 p.m., performing a setlist of roughly 30 songs over the course of about an hour and a half. In the past, I’ve often been let down by rappers’ live energy—but this was far from the case with Central Cee. He sounded just like he does on record, frequently engaged with the crowd, and delivered a high-energy, well-rounded performance that kept fans excited from start to finish. Fans also had an appearance from “Kamal.” who provided the vocals on ‘Now We’re Strangers’ on the new album and we all got to hear them perform it together live.
The main stage featured a large multi-tiered metal structure which is where his DJ was located, seemed to display a dollhouse which in each separate area of the structure Cench was able to tell a story and act out prominent scenes from his past, often accompanied by his mandem on stage. On each side of the structure were two large screens which displayed accompanying visuals to his music as well as a Toyota Yaris which was placed in centre of the stage/structure, it’s also where Cench arrived on stage from and left at the end of his set. Around halfway into the show, a large bridge lowered from the arena roof which connected the main stage to a b-stage, it allowed Cench to perform over the standing crowd and become more intimate and interact with more of the audience. It was clear that no expense was spared on this tour — the production budget was anything but modest. There were tons of pyrotechnics throughout the evening such as smoke, fire, explosions, mini fireworks as well as top-tier lighting.
It was evident how much of a pivotal figure Central Cee is to many young attendees and Gen-Z as a whole—undeniably an icon for this generation. In my opinion, Central Cee stands as one of the most influential UK rappers to gain international recognition, representing the UK rap and drill scene while paving the way for others within the genre. Beyond music, he’s also made a significant impact in fashion—playing a key role in popularizing the Nike Tech tracksuit and founding his own streetwear brand, Syna World.
I find it particularly compelling when musicians incorporate creativity into their performances to enhance the overall artistic experience. During Central Cee’s performance of ‘Gen Z Luv’, his team—alongside arena staff—pointed phones at fans along the front barrier, allowing them to FaceTime him as he performed. The live footage was simultaneously broadcast on the venue’s large stage screens, creating a highly immersive and interactive moment. At various points, Central Cee engaged directly with the audience, recording himself in selfie mode using fans’ phones and signing items handed to him while performing on the B-stage. Early in the evening, he also acknowledged a fan near the front holding up the exact same Nike Tech fleece he was wearing. With a smile, he asked for the item, held it up on stage, and then returned it to the fan—an authentic moment that highlighted his attentiveness and connection to the crowd.
Overall, Central Cee’s live performance exceeded my expectations. He’s the best UK rapper I’ve seen perform live, and the show truly did not disappoint.
