Dave & Central Cee Solidify Their Dominance In UK Rap With 'Split Decision' [Review]

Dave and Central Cee marked the beginning of summer with their industry breaking 4-track EP, Split Decision and music video for Sprinter, with over 60 million streams already.

Remember when the young rappers teamed up on AJ Tracey’s posse-cut remix? Seven years later the talented pair have elevated their collaboration on what is undeniably a clash of two of London’s best artists. The ’Commitment Issues’ and ’Clash’ chartered rappers put mics together to create various sounds on this EP, flaunting their ability to make rap, drill and flow over chordal instrumentals.

Dave and Central Lee took a lesss conventional route to promote this project with an unexpected appearance on Balamii show, 'Victory Lap.' The dynamic duo is all set to captivate the audience with their unique blend of music and artistry.Their collaboration with the esteemed popular culture brand, Corteiz RTW, brings an additional layer of cultural impact and flair to the release. Alongside some up and coming talent in the city, Dave and Central Lee are sure to make heads turn with verses from the new project and sparked curiosity among fans in the underground and mainstream alike.

The West & South East London-born artists bounce off of each other's vulnerability on the track, ‘Our 25th Birthday’ (possibly a trilogy from Dave’s previous songs, ‘My 19th Birthday’ and ‘My 24th Birthday’). With birthdays one day apart, they keep lines personal with vulnerable lyricisms. It’s a contrast from the rest of the EP with its slower tempo and Kamal’s acapella melodies on the chorus, giving listeners a moment to consume the storytelling by the artists. “We’re 25, living like this was our second life”, Dave & Cench reflect on the days before fame and success . This felt like a deeper transition from the more boastful first track, ‘Trojan Horse’ produced by Santan Dave, as both ride the beat with back to back rhymes of their come up, relationship antics and luxury lifestyles since their rise.

The number one music video for Sprinter features location shots fromMonaco but also Soho & Shoreditch, highlighting some of London’s landmarks frequently mentioned in both rapper’s tracks, the city both have taken over this week. You can spot familiar faces including Clint of streetwear brand Corteiz and artist, Slawn’s new Beau Beau’s Cafe.

Their individual flows blend to create a crazy upbeat drill mix as they spit “She don’t listen to UK rap, if it ain’t Dave or Cench” confident they are the faces of the genre in the UK. The Sprinter visuals show a red Ferrari F40 surfing over a yacht in Monaco if that helps paint the picture of their success in the industry… It’s hard to disagree with their names owning tracks like Location and as the wordsmith of “How can I be homophobic? My b*tch is gay”. The laid back beat opens a stage for Central Cee & Dave to hit bars like “sprinter, two gal in the van, inter, two man in Milan” & “twisting my words I think she’s dyslexic, give me my space, I’m intergalactic”.

Central Cee keeps fans eager for more referencing his ‘toxic relationship’ and the controversy over his tracksuit appearance at the British Fashion Awards last year, “At the BFA, I knew they’d hate the dress code I’m in” while Dave evolves his signature punchlines, “Young black Brit in Italian kit, I feel like Tammy in Roma”. It’s safe to say these two have complimented each other’s styles and both carry a natural talent for breaking records in the UK and keeping fans on their toes for more anticipated hits.

The EP is one to listen to start to finish, and then repeat.