Central Cee Samples Jay-Z’s ‘Dead Presidents’ on New ‘Iceman Freestyle’
Legacy Meets the London Streets: Central Cee Samples Jay-Z’s ‘Dead Presidents’ on New ‘Iceman Freestyle’
WEST LONDON — Central Cee is reaching across the Atlantic to pay homage to hip-hop royalty. The West London trailblazer has officially sent fans into a frenzy with the release of “Iceman Freestyle,” a track that prominently samples the melancholic piano loop from Jay-Z’s 1996 classic, “Dead Presidents II.”
The release comes as the lead single for his newly announced EP, All Roads Lead Home, which is slated to drop on 20th March 2026.
A Full-Circle Moment
For those familiar with rap’s DNA, the "Dead Presidents" loop—originally sampled by Ski Beatz from Lonnie Liston Smith's "A Garden of Peace"—is sacred ground. By tackling the same production that helped define Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt era, Central Cee is signaling his intent to move beyond the "viral hitmaker" label and cement his status as a serious lyricist.
The freestyle first surfaced as a teaser during a Drake livestream last summer, leading to months of speculation. The full version sees "Cench" trading his usual high-tempo drill percussion for a more stripped-back, soulful arrangement that allows his wordplay to take center stage.
“If your aim is getting me down, good luck,” Cee raps over the iconic keys. “We’re alive and well and we’re still on top. Sold out but I still got more in stock.”
The "Peaky Blinders" Aesthetic
Accompanying the track is a cinematic music video directed by longtime collaborator Don Prod. Shot at the historic Mildmay Club in Stoke Newington, the visuals channel a Peaky Blinders aesthetic, featuring Central Cee in sharp 1920s tailoring, bridging the gap between British heritage and modern street culture.
The choice of imagery reinforces the "All Roads Lead Home" theme of the upcoming EP, which Central Cee described as a return to his roots after a year of global touring and high-profile American collaborations.
Dominating the 2026 Charts
The impact was immediate. Within 48 hours of release, “Iceman Freestyle” climbed to No. 5 on the Official Trending Chart, while a second surprise drop from the EP—“Slaughter” featuring fellow UK heavyweight J Hus—landed at No. 16.
Industry analysts suggest that by sampling a "foundational" track like Dead Presidents, Central Cee is successfully courting the "old school" hip-hop demographic while maintaining his grip on the streaming-heavy Gen Z audience.
20th March: The Main Event
The All Roads Lead Home EP marks a pivotal moment for Central Cee’s career under Columbia Records. While the full seven-song tracklist remains under wraps, the project is expected to feature:
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"Iceman Freestyle" (The Jay-Z sampled opener)
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"Slaughter" (ft. J Hus)
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"Booga" (The viral 2025 single)
As the UK rap scene continues to expand globally, Central Cee's nod to Hov proves that while he’s leading the new school, he’s been paying close attention to the curriculum of the greats.
