Get the latest gossip

Dual lingo: why UK rappers like Central Cee and Dave are embracing the EU

British MCs are increasingly making bilingual tracks with their European peers – and, they explain, it’s not just to attract new audiences

Central Cee, currently the UK scene’s biggest name, has been seizing on bilingual collaborations as he courts a global market: back in 2022 he put out Eurovision, a posse track featuring seven rappers from across the EU – including frequent Italian collaborator Rondodasosa – and last year he featured on Eurostar by French MC Ninho which reached No 1 in France. In the past few weeks he’s put out two more tracks: Bolide Noir with Parisian JRK 19, and Moi with British singer Raye, who delivers most of her hook in French. But collaborations in these countries aren’t just cold business decisions for UK rappers, they are good for creative energy, Aitch says: “You take from different cultures and different vibes, and it just creates something that can’t even be explained unless you experience it.”

Get the Android app