The UK music world has been taken by storm over the weekend as two of the nation’s favourite rappers, Aitch and Central Cee are now feuding.
Pop culture wouldn’t be the same without its iconic feuds and what better way to resolve it than by the medium of… you guessed it, more music.
Aitch is one of Manchester’s most promising acts with hit songs like ‘Rain’ which features AJ Tracey, ‘My G’ a collaboration with Ed Sheeran and ‘Baby’ which samples Ashanti’s track of the same name.
Shepherd’s Bush born Central Cee has seen similar success, with songs like ‘Doja’, ‘Sprinter’ a joint stint with Dave and ‘Did It First’ where he shares a credit with Ice Spice.
Now, both artists are back in the spotlight as they’re firing shots at each other for all the world to see.
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If Drake and Kendrick set the tone for the American rap game, Aitch and Central Cee are definitely front and centre in the UK scene.
Aitch and Central Cee: A Timeline
26 July 2020 – ‘Molly’
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During his rise to fame, Central Cee understands the hard work and efforts that fellow rapper Aitch has put into his career, addressing it in one of his first releases titled ‘Molly’.
The rapper, also known as Cench, shouts out the Manchester star praising, “Man said 21 with a mill (Swear) / I need the same deal as Aitch’s”.
This is a direct reference to Aitch’s line in ‘Raw’, “Hands up if you made a mill before 21, gang (Gang, gang)”, which was only released two months prior in May 2020.
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21 February 2022 – The Face Launch Issue 010
The two can be seen smiling it up in West Hollywood as both were invited and attended an exclusive launch party for British magazine The Face.
Cee can be seen sporting Italian luxury clothing brand, Moncler, while Aitch is dressed in a fit from American apparel company, Von Dutch.
This launch party celebrated Cench’s cover story and even warranted a performance from the London musician.
We can’t get pictures in the article but a quick google of ‘Aitch Central Cee The Face Launch’ will show you a few candids of the two stars.
Aitch wins ‘Best Hip Hop/ Grime Act’ at the 43rd edition of the UK’s biggest music award show, The BRITs, a category where Central Cee was also nominated.
The Manchester rap star received his award from footballer Declan Rice and the intro to ‘A Guy Called?’ incorporates the very moment when the Arsenal midfielder announced his victory.
10 March 2024 – ‘5 Star’ Snippet
Central Cee took to Instagram to reveal ‘New music after Ramadan.’ posting a selection of pictures in various locations such as the studio and even outside a shop window holding a crate of prime with KSI.
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The seventh slide in this photo dump is a voice memo which contains a snippet of ‘5 Star’, although at the time fans were none the wiser.
Both the UK stars attended the launch of famous burger chain Archie’s latest venture in the Trafford Centre, although not much is known on their interaction at the event.
In a video posted to the official Instagram account relating to the roller rink site ‘Archie’s Atomic’, it’s safe to say Aitch’s answer to ‘Freestyle or sing’ makes a lot of sense, following his latest track.
Much like ‘A Guy Called?’, it’s clear that Aitch really does love a good freestyle.
Just one day before the release of Central Cee’s debut album he achieved three nominations including ‘British Artist of the Year’, ‘Song of the Year’ and that infamous ‘Best Hip Hop/ Grime Act’.
24 January 2025– ‘5 Star’ and ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’
2025 may have just began but the anticipation for this album has been high, especially since the first single for the record came all the way back in May courtesy of ‘Band4Band’, a link up with Lil Baby.
The latest single from ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS, Central Cee’s debut album is ‘GBP’ but the track that’s really got everybody talking is ‘5 Star’.
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Central Cee for latest record ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’Credit: Sony Music
On the second track of the LP, Cench directly hits out at the Moston boy spitting “I felt like a prick when I went to the BRITs and they gave the award to a guy called Aitch”.
He doubles down on this in the following line explaining, “I had my acceptance speech prepared like, “Long live F’s”, I’m goin’ insane / And free all the guys inside of the cage”.
‘5 Star’ even calls back to the album’s title as in the chorus the London based rapper warns, “Should know that you can’t rush greatness / But you’re too impatient”.
24 January 2025 – ‘A Guy Called?’
Aitch didn’t waste any time as by 4pm the same day his reply was broadcast to the world and it addresses some cultural moments a lot of fans will remember, including previous relationships.
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One of the most prominent bars in the one-off single is “(Yo, uncs) We can go bar for bar, BRIT for BRIT, punch for punch (Bah)”.
Not only does this quote the BRIT award show, it also references and incorporates the same melody as Central Cee’s ‘Band4Band’.
Right after this, ‘A Guy Called?’ also fires shots at one of Cench’s closest companions, “All your songs get wrote by Clint”, an esteemed fashion designer and owner of streetwear brand Corteiz.
Aitch for previous single ‘Famous Girl’ released last year.
The artwork for the diss track shows some wall art which reads ‘The world via Manchester’ and in front of it, of course, is that all too important BRIT award figure.
To close the diss track he even samples Central Cee’s previously mentioned 2020 hit ‘Molly’ which kickstarted our great big UK rap beef timeline.
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Aitch’s Instagram post of this song which is captioned ‘Leave me alone.’ got a response from the man in question, Central Cee, who replied ‘Fair enough’ alongside a laughing emoji and a fire emoji.
There’s no cold shoulder here either as later on in the almost three minute long number Aitch reassures fellow feuder, “Little boy is just there to be spun, gettin’ mad at the BRITs, there’s bare to be won (On God)”.
25 January 2025 – Central Cee x Corteiz
One day after the release of his album and Aitch’s response ‘A Guy Called?’, Central Cee drops a limited edition tee which merges the title ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’ with the usual Corteiz branding.
This isn’t verified by either party however with Aitch calling out the owner of Corteiz, Clint, it would be a perfect way for Central Cee to clap back at Moston’s finest.
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It’s so limited edition, the link to it on the website shows the shirt has already sold out.
Good thing Cench posted the design to his social media account surrounded by a crew of buddies all kitted out in the same in-demand streetwear including masks.
Or given how much Aitch loves to make a guest appearance wherever he can, there’s a possibility they could resolve their differences on stage in front of 23,500 fans.
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What’s next?
Everyone may be wondering what comes next, don’t worry we have no idea either!
What we do know is that both artists involved in this ‘beef’ which is playing out over social media are known for their much loved and well-recited melodies.
At the end of the day, these are two very respectable rappers and it can be so easy to get caught up in the drama and forget the reason everyone enjoys each artist, for their music.
Featured Images:Jack Bridgland (Central Cee) and Publicity Picture (Aitch)
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Five Greater Manchester-based artists we’ve been listening to this month | October 2025
Danny Jones
Surprise, surprise, it’s that time again: we’re rounding up the best music from in and around Greater Manchester that we’ve been listening to over the past few weeks, and this month’s been a belter.
In fact, we actually got a lot of our favourite stuff of late all in one day, and that just so happened to be Halloween 2025, a.k.a. one of the best new music Fridays we’ve had in ages.
We had a few new releases on our radar come 31 October, and they didn’t disappoint, with regional artists both new and old dropping some tasty new material.
So, without further ado, here is the Greater Manchester-based music we’ve been enjoying recently.
Music from in and around Manchester we’re listening to lately
1. Richard Ashcroft
Where else to start than with the man of the moment, in our opinion: the almighty Richard Ashcroft, who recently came back to not only the live circuit in the biggest way as the main support act on the Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour, but who finally returned with new music since 2018.
Releasing his seventh studio album, ‘Lovin You, this October, we’ll admit that we much prefer his classic Britpop style to the few attempts at more modern poppy rock on the record, but the second you get onto the second track ‘Out Of These Blues’, you know that his timeless sound hasn’t depreciated one bit.
Now 54 and a music industry veteran, we still firmly believe he’s one of our greatest artists and songwriters. We’d recommend ‘Find Another Reason’ and ‘Heavy News’ off the new LP, as well as ‘All My Dream’ for old time’s sake. All hail “King Richard” and here’s to more long-overdue recognition for Wigan‘s finest.
We never tire of ‘They Don’t Own Me’, nor listening to the Oasis that pays tribute to him, either.
2. The Charlatans
From one local icon to another legendary British band with deep roots here in Manchester. This year’s big music story may have been the Oasis reunion, but there’s another band of Britpop/Madchester survivors that recently reared their heads again, too, and that’s The Charlatans.
Led by frontman Tim Burgess, the veteran alternative band always had one foot in the indie side of the Manc music scene, meanwhile keeping the other in the more psychedelic sub-section of UK rock, and nothing has changed with this satisfying return.
Even from the instantly recognisable and heavily processed keys in lead single ‘Deeper Deeper’, you’re immediately reminded of ‘The Only One I Know’, and the title track of their first new album since 2017, ‘We Are Love’, is one of the best in years; ‘You Can’t Push The River’ is also a quiet delight.
It’s good to have you back, lads. (Credit: Cat Stevens)
3. The Maple State
Now, this is a band that we always felt never really got the recognition back in the day, but since they’ve also been on an understated comeback trail of their own, we’d like to think they’ve picked up a few new fans – and that’s part of the reason they’re included this month, because they deserve it.
We’d argue that The Maple State never quite fully took off because the emo/American-influenced scene here in Greater Manchester didn’t either; back in 2004, when the band was formed by two brothers and some school friends who started playing regularly in college, it was still mostly a transatlantic export.
Either way, we always had a soft spot for this unsung act that tried appealing to fans of that style over here, and their debut album, At Least Until We’ve Settled In, became a cult favourite of some famous names. ‘Temperate Lives’ is a timeless track for us, and we love ‘Canonball’ from their long-overdue 2018 follow-up, but we couldn’t be happier to hear them back in the studio again. Hear more below.
4. Westside Cowboy
Speaking of US influences, one group that has arguably benefitted from that same climate shifting over the years is the hugely exciting Westside Cowboy. As a kid who grew up somewhat awkwardly straddling a love for the big bands in the States and our domestic rock artists, the ‘Britainicana’ movement is right up my street.
Delivering the exact kind of sound you’d expect with a name like that – blending those more American, perhaps even ‘Midwest emo’ sounds with more familiar UK vibe and context – this isn’t a culture clash: it’s a contrast that really works and we’re hoping to see more of, with the guys at the forefront.
Expect twangy, metallic guitar riffs, staccato snares mixed in with marching drum patterns that steadily build behind the joint vocals of their different vocalists and more. Our favourite songs so far include ‘Don’t Throw Rocks’, ‘Drunk Surfer’, and ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Love (Until I Met You)’. How very 1975 of you, WC.
Last but not least, this one is almost more of a special mention as they’re more North West than Manc per se, but they’re only based down the road in neighbouring Warrington; plus, since we’ve already written about other bands from Cheshire and other nearby outposts, we’re making an exception.
‘Why so keen to include them…’, you ask? Well, for one, they’re so bloody brilliant we couldn’t not talk about them, and two, they already have strong roots here in Manchester. Besides, regularly visiting and performing here, they recorded their first-ever EP in our city and even feature a tram on their single art.
Speaking of their material, Gustaffson‘s debut album, Black & White Movie, was even produced by Elbow’s very own Craig Potter, which only reinforces that local connection further. The LP itself has soulful notes similar to The Teskey Brothers and St Paul and the Broken Bones, and really is a joy from start to finish – get a load of their latest track, which was also recorded and visualised in Manchester:
A soulful, funk throwback with contemporary blues and a dancey feel. What a vibe.
We hope you give this October’s round-up of new Greater Manchester music a go and find these names in your rotation for months to come.
As always, the best part about doing this is sharing artists people may not have heard yet, so please feel free to ping your own suggestions our way.
You’ll find us here again the same time next month, but until then, why not check out September’s picks?
Featured Images — Press shot/Cat Stevens (supplied)/Gustaffson (screenshot via YouTube)
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A rave in a chippy is happening in Greater Manchester this weekend
Daisy Jackson
We have always loved a weekend trip to the chippy, but that trip might look a little different this week – because there’s a rave going on inside.
A collective of local DJs will be putting their decks alongside the fryers at one of Manchester’s top-rated fish and chip shops, Chips @ No. 8 in Prestwich.
The one-off event is part of the latest instalment of Love Dose, which has been hosting parties all over the North for more than a decade.
This week, Love Dose will be upstairs in Cuckoo until the early hours, with a number of DJs playing alongside special guest Simba.
Before the main event kicks off in Cuckoo though, they’ve announced a pre-party at Chips @ No. 8 to get warmed up.
“You’ve seen the recent trend of parties popping over in coffee shops, why not a chippy!?” they said.
Kerrie DJing at a previous Love Dose rave
Love Dose was founded back in 2012 and is run by Ste Evans, Ste Nalty and Pete Asiaw, DJs who all live around Prestwich.
They said: “We’ve always loved the vibe at Chips@No8 and thought it would be a great pre party spot.”
Previous Love Dose events have taken place everywhere from warehouses and rooftops to disused car garages and even a prison.
They’ve also appeared in legendary local venues like Hidden, Ramona and The White Hotel (before it was known as The White Hotel).
Once they finish with the chippy rave, it’ll be over to Cuckoo to dance into the early hours.
Love Dose is promising quality beats to go with your batter from 5pm til 8pm on Saturday 1 November.
Thomas Melia -
28th January 2025 
