British Rapper Central C converts to Islam, announces new name

LONDON: British singer and rapper Central C, known for his 2023 hit song ‘Too Much’, has publicly announced his conversion to Islam and changed his name to Aqeel.

During a live stream, the 27-year-old artist confirmed that he had embraced Islam and recited the Shahada, declaring, “I have recited the Kalima and am now a Muslim.” He also revealed that he had changed his birth name, Oakley, to Aqeel following his spiritual transformation.

Central C has gained worldwide fame for his distinctive music and relatable lyrics rooted in everyday life. Friends present during the live stream congratulated him, though he did not provide further details about his spiritual journey.

Prior to this announcement, Central C had rarely spoken publicly about his religious beliefs, although some fans speculated about his interest in Islam based on Arabic captions on his social media posts.

Born on June 4, 1998, in London, Central C began his music career in 2014 and quickly became a prominent figure in UK drill and rap music. In 2024, he was recognized as the most-streamed British rapper worldwide, with his songs being played billions of times across multiple platforms.