Over the past few months, the UK music scene has been rocked by a series of high-profile “beef” between two of the most popular drill rappers, Central Cee and Digga D. The feud has escalated to a point where it has become a matter of public concern due to the murders and stabbings that have occurred as a result.
Central Cee, is a 23-year-old rapper from London. He gained popularity with his hit song “Loading,” which became a viral sensation on TikTok. Digga D, on the other hand, is a 20-year-old rapper from Ladbroke Grove, West London. He is known for his gritty, street-inspired lyrics and has a loyal fan base in the UK.
The feud between the two rappers began when Central Cee appeared to diss Digga D in a freestyle that he posted on Instagram in January 2021. Digga D responded by releasing a diss track titled “Woi” which many believe was aimed at Central Cee. In the track, Digga D took aim at Central Cee’s supposed lack of street credibility and accused him of being a fraud.
Things escalated quickly from there, with both rappers trading insults on social media and in their music. However, what was once a battle of words has now turned violent, with several murders and stabbings reported in London in recent months.
Central Cee has been accused of causing some of the violence, with reports suggesting that he has been involved in gangs in the past. In March 2021, it was reported that a 23-year-old man was stabbed to death in a fight outside a nightclub in Coventry. The victim was believed to have been associated with Central Cee, and it was reported that the altercation had been sparked by a dispute between him and Digga D.
Central Cee has denied any involvement in the violence and has called for an end to the feud. In a statement released on his Instagram page, he said: “I want to make it clear that I have no part in any violence that has occurred as a result of this situation. My focus is on my music and my career, and I urge everyone to put an end to this senseless violence.”
On Thursday, 7 October a Digga D track leaked on TikTok that, at the time of writing, has more than 2.5 million views.
In the untitled song, Digga D says: “Who the f*** is Central Cee? The only wild in west is we.” The diss references the area of west London where the artists grew up. The rivals are said to have attended Chelsea Academy in London together before Digga D was kicked out of school in Year 8.
The most alarming section of the track is when Digga D claims he “cheffed” Central C’s brother. And, in a new diss track leaked two days later, Digga D yet again claims he “chinged his brother” while Central Cee “just stood there watching”.
Central Cee isn’t the only rapper Digga D has got beef with. He also went after Fredo and Russ Millions, whose manager he also “chinged”, according to the video.
In November 2017, Digga D was arrested in a stop and search for carrying baseball bats and machetes along with his drill group 1011. They claimed they were filming a music video.
Digga D was sentenced to one year in jail for conspiracy to commit violent disorder and received a Criminal Behaviour Order in 2018 that banned him from referencing real-life violent incidents in his lyrics.
Digga D has also spoken out against the violence and has called for an end to the feud. In an interview with The Guardian, he said: “I don’t want to see anyone getting hurt or losing their life over this. We need to put our differences aside and focus on making good music.”
The beef between Central Cee and Digga D has highlighted the dangers of the UK drill scene, which has been associated with violence and gang activity. The Metropolitan Police have warned that the music genre could be fueling a rise in knife crime and have called for greater regulation of the scene.
In conclusion, the beef between Central Cee and Digga D has escalated to a worrying degree, with several murders and stabbings reported as a result. While both rappers have called for an end to the feud, the situation remains tense, and the UK music scene is on edge. It is vital that the authorities take steps to address the underlying issues that are fueling the violence and ensure that the UK drill scene is regulated and safe for all involved.