Central Cee's "Moi" ft. RAYE: A Drill Masterclass
RAYE's Ethereal Opening
The song opens with RAYE's ethereal vocals, seamlessly transitioning between French and English, creating an alluring and melancholic atmosphere. The subtle dance beat and fast hi-hats in the background add a layer of texture and anticipation before fading out, leaving the listener eager for Central Cee's entrance.
Central Cee's Lyrical Mastery
And when he arrives, he doesn't disappoint. His flow is nothing short of a masterclass, effortlessly switching between rapid-fire delivery and introspective bars with remarkable precision and clarity. This is arguably Central Cee's most consistently impressive lyrical performance to date.
Catchy Hooks and Driving Energy
The production, while maintaining a classic drill sound, is elevated by catchy melodies and a driving energy that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish. The song strikes a perfect balance between infectious hooks and moments of raw emotion, showcasing Central Cee's ability to navigate both the braggadocious and introspective sides of drill music.
Themes of Ambition and Loyalty
Lyrically, "Moi" touches on themes of ambition, loyalty, and the complexities of navigating success in a challenging environment. Central Cee reflects on his journey from humble beginnings to his current status, acknowledging the sacrifices and struggles he's faced along the way. He also addresses the temptations and pitfalls of fame, expressing a desire to remain grounded and true to his roots.
A Standout Track
"Moi" is a testament to Central Cee's growth and maturity as an artist. It's a powerful and impactful drill track that showcases his lyrical mastery, captivating flow, and ability to create music that's both catchy and thought-provoking. With its infectious energy, introspective lyrics, and RAYE's stunning vocal contributions, "Moi" is a standout track that solidifies Central Cee's position as a leading figure in the UK rap scene.
Listen to Central Cee Moi Featuring RAYE
Central Cee Moi Featuring RAYE Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of "Moi" by Central Cee and Raye is a powerful exploration of contrasting experiences and emotions. It intertwines RAYE's melancholic reflection on a fading love in the romantic backdrop of Paris with Central Cee's raw and honest portrayal of his journey from hardship to success in the gritty streets of London. The song delves into themes of ambition, resilience, loyalty, and the complexities of navigating fame and fortune while staying true to one's roots. It's a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and achieve greatness, even in the face of challenging circumstances.
Intro: RAYE
Original French Lyrics:
Je pense à toi
J'aimerais te voir ce soir
Je ne suis pas amoureuse de toi (Fais semblant)
Fais semblant avec moi
English Translation:
I'm thinking of you
I would like to see you tonight
I'm not in love with you
(Pretend) Pretend with me
RAYE sets a melancholic tone, reflecting on a past relationship in Paris, the "city of love." Despite the lingering feelings expressed in "Je pense à toi / J'aimerais te voir ce soir," she acknowledges the lack of love, "Je ne suis pas amoureuse de toi," and proposes a temporary facade of affection for one last night, "(Fais semblant) Fais semblant avec moi."
Original French Lyrics:
Paris is the city of love, they say
But not for him and I
C'est la dernière fois, fois, pour toi et moi
Ouais, ouais, j'ai compris que même les bad bitches pleurent
Je rentre à la maison en Eurostar
Ce soir, fais semblant avec moi
English Translation:
Paris is the city of love they say
But not for him and I
It’s the last time, time for you and me
Yes, yes I understood that even bad bitches cry
I go home by Eurostar
Tonight, pretend with me
The lyrics paint a picture of a bittersweet ending, where the romantic backdrop of Paris contrasts with the finality of their situation. RAYE accepts this reality, acknowledging the pain even "bad bitches" experience, as she sings "Ouais, ouais, j'ai compris que même les bad bitches pleurent." The desire to "pretend" for one last night highlights the difficulty of letting go.
Chorus: Central Cee
Central Cee's chorus introduces the gritty realities of his past. The cryptic line "What's that smell in the chest of drawers?" hints at stashed weed, reinforcing his involvement in selling drugs ("benz and scores"). The urgency in "Gotta get rich in desperate cause" underscores the harsh environment that fueled his ambition. He confidently asserts his place in the UK drill scene, declaring that any discussion of the genre must include him: "Talk about drill, gotta mention moi." The line "No homo but I slept with bro / Broke, I was sharin' my bredrin's clothes" reflects the close bond with a friend during tough times, emphasizing survival over romance and subtly challenging homophobia, echoing his stance in "Doja."
Verse 1: Central Cee
Cee's first verse delves into his past struggles and present success. He playfully uses French numerals, "un, deux, trois," to express his desire for multiple partners, a sign of his newfound freedom and confidence. A shoutout to French rapper Koba LaD highlights his growing international recognition and potential for future collaborations. He reflects on his journey from sleeping on a "cheap sofa" to riding in a "Jeep chauffeur," contrasting his past poverty with his current wealth. Cee also touches on his past involvement in drug dealing ("'019 we was kitchen whippin'") and the challenges of navigating a life of crime, with "Sirens, they had my heartbeat skippin'." He humorously references a popular TikTok trend, acknowledging that he would have lied about his past if social media existed then. The line "Car full of bud, park the habad" further references his involvement in the drug trade, with "habad" meaning "gun" in Somali. Finally, he asserts that his success is a testament to his resilience, stating "They can't even judge 'cause I came from the mud."
Refrain: Central Cee
The refrain emphasizes Cee's self-made success, stating "They gave me a fish, they ain't teach me fishing." He acknowledges the lack of opportunities and guidance he received growing up, highlighting his resilience and determination to create his own path. This also connects to his earlier freestyle where he mentions being thrown into the "bando" (drug house) as a schoolkid.
Verse 2: Central Cee
In the second verse, Cee expresses his desire to live life to the fullest, mentioning his interest in model India Love and his frequent travels. He contrasts his past struggles with his current jet-setting lifestyle, stating, "The way that I'm in and out of these countries, fuck and duck, I don't get to hang." He also takes a dig at the UK's high tax rates, suggesting he might relocate to Dubai for financial reasons.
Chorus & Outro
The chorus and outro reiterate Cee's dominance in the drill scene and his refusal to be silenced or overshadowed. He emphasizes his authenticity and his unwavering commitment to his craft.
Central Cee Moi Meaning
"Moi" is a powerful reflection on Central Cee's journey from hardship to success. He confronts his past struggles with poverty and crime while celebrating his current achievements and aspirations. The song also touches on themes of loyalty, ambition, and the complexities of navigating fame and fortune. Cee's raw and honest lyrics, coupled with RAYE's melancholic vocals, create a captivating and thought-provoking track that showcases his growth as an artist and his unwavering determination to succeed on his own terms.
Central Cee Moi Featuring RAYE Lyrics
[Intro: RAYE]
Je pense à toi
J'aimerais te voir ce soir
Je ne suis pas amoureuse de toi (Fais semblant)
Fais semblant avec moi
I wonder why
There's a stone cold breeze as I kiss him goodbye
Paris is the city of love, they say
But not for him and I
C'est la dernière fois, fois, pour toi et moi
Ouais, ouais, j'ai compris que même les bad bitches pleurent
Je rentre à la maison en Eurostar
Ce soir, fais semblant avec moi
[Chorus: Central Cee]
What's that smell in the chеst of drawers?
Young boy sellin' them bеnz and scores
Gotta get rich in desperate cause
Talk about drill, gotta mention moi
No homo but I slept with bro
Broke, I was sharin' my bredrin's clothes
Then I got rich and I kept them close
Talk about real, gotta mention moi
[Verse 1: Central Cee]
I can't have one girl, I need un, deux, trois
Two plus one, tell her, "Come over"
Gave her the dick like I'm on Adderall
I don't take drugs though, I fuck sober
French girl ask do I know Koba?
I'm in Champs-Élysées in a Jeep chauffeur
She try ask, "Will I eat?" No, suh
I used to sleep on a cheap sofa
'019 we was kitchen whippin'
If they had TikTok them times and a man asked me what I do for a livin'
Then I would've started fibbin'
Sirens, they had my heartbeat skippin'
I was a good boy 'til I started sinnin'
Car full of bud, park the habad
They can't even judge 'cause I came from the mud
[Refrain: Central Cee]
What would you do in Cee's position?
They gave me a fish, they ain't teach me fishing
Back in the day I had decent bitches
But they ain't got nothin' on my recent women
What would you do in Cee's position?
They gave me a fish, they ain't teach me fishing
Back in the day I had decent
But they ain't got nothin' on my recent
[Chorus: Central Cee]
What's that smell in the chest of drawers?
Young boy sellin' them benz and scores
Gotta get rich in desperate cause
Talk about drill, gotta mention moi
No homo but I slept with bro
Broke, I was sharin' my bredrin's clothes
Then I got rich and I kept them close
Talk about real, gotta mention moi
[Verse 2: Central Cee]
I value my life, I can't die this young
There's so much fun that I'm yet to have
I got a thing for India Love, there's so much gyal that I'm yet to bang
The way that I'm in and out of these countries, fuck and duck, I don't get to hang
Put on my cape and set her free, I'm the reason that she left her man
Good things come to those who wait
I don't believe that, bro, you gotta grind
Two iPhones, gotta switch devices
Bro's showin' me which sticks to buy
I'm here tonight but gone tomorrow, if you wanna fuck, then quick, decide
The United Kingdom tax too high, so I might leave and dip Dubai
[Refrain: Central Cee]
What would you do in Cee's position?
They gave me a fish, they ain't teach me fishing
Back in the day I had decent bitches
But they ain't got nothin' on my recent women
What would you do in Cee's position?
They gave me a fish, they ain't teach me fishing
Back in the day I had decent
But they ain't got nothin' on my recent
[Chorus: Central Cee]
What's that smell in the chest of drawers?
Young boy sellin' them benz and scores
Gotta get rich in desperate cause
Talk about drill, gotta mention moi
No homo but I slept with bro
Broke, I was sharin' my bredrin's clothes
Then I got rich and I kept them close
Talk about real, gotta mention moi
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