Central Cee & 21 Savage’s GBP Explained: The UK-US Connection
The January 17, 2025 release of GBP kicks off with Cam’ron’s dialogue from Paid in Full: “Yo, come on, Mitch, you know I gotta go, bring your motherfuckin’ ass.”
This sample sets up the track’s exploration of street economics and cross-cultural references.
GBP Lyrics Meaning: Breaking Down The Bars
Central Cee opens with a series of “what if” scenarios that showcase his storytelling:
“If I lived in Harlem, I would’ve been Mitch, them man would’ve been like Ace and snitched. If it was Oakland, I would’ve been a pimp. If it was 1930, North Carolina, I would’ve been Frank with the mink.”
Each line references specific figures and places in American crime history, creating a parallel narrative of his life in different circumstances.
Central Cee & 21 Savage GBP: The Currency Wordplay
The chorus delivers the song’s most clever exchange. When Cench spits “If I pay 100 pound I can get my right in front of a crowd, that’s GBP,” 21 Savage immediately follows with “the price go up if it’s USD.”
This isn’t just wordplay – it’s a nod to the actual pound-to-dollar exchange rate, with the pound being worth more than the dollar.
GBP by Central Cee & 21 Savage: The Street Life Contrast
21 Savage brings his signature style with lines like “Latex gloves, I’m on the drill, watch ’em fall, Jack and Jill. Up on the opps, seven to nil, Premier League, I’m in the field.”
His verse smoothly combines Premier League football references with Atlanta trap narratives, continuing:
“Two things that you’ll never see is me run from an opp or a bitch in my will.”
Central Cee & 21 Savage GBP Lyrics: Street Culture References
The track weaves together UK and US street culture. Central Cee raps “If it weren’t the UK, would’ve had a AK-47 with a hundred rounds. Red carpet in my trackie and Air Max, they want a boy with a London style.”
These lines highlight the differences in weapon availability between the two countries while celebrating British fashion.
The Production Behind GBP
LIOHN, Gino Nano, Pontus Persson, Harry Beech, Eight8, and Jonny Leslie’s production provides a soundscape that bridges UK drill and US trap.
The beat allows both artists to maintain their distinctive flows while creating a cohesive collaboration.
The GBP Music Video: Cole Bennett’s UK-US Vision
Lyrical Lemonade’s Cole Bennett directs the visual companion to GBP, marking another milestone in Central Cee’s relationship with the renowned director following their success with “Doja”.
The video cleverly merges British and American aesthetics – the Union Jack features prominently in multiple scenes, while stacks of both US dollars and British pounds make frequent appearances.
Bennett’s direction brings several standout moments. Early in the video, we see Central Cee and 21 Savage performing in front of a massive Union Jack, a striking visual representation of their shared British heritage.
The video employs special effects reminiscent of Hype Williams’ style, with dynamic transitions and high-budget production values throughout.
Shot in Atlanta but drenched in British imagery, the video plays with location and identity.
In one scene, we see samurai swords and ski masks, directly visualising the lyrics about UK street culture.
These visuals complement lines like “If it weren’t the UK, would’ve had an AK, gang outside with a samurai sword. Nike Tech fleece with the Air Force 1, my ski mask on, but we don’t snowboard.”
The Lyrical Lemonade touch is evident in the video’s crisp cinematography and innovative effects.
Watch closely and you’ll spot Cole Bennett’s signature in the opening shop scene, where both artists’ names appear on the storefront alongside the director’s credit.
What’s Next: Album Release and Live Shows
GBP features on Central Cee’s debut album Can’t Rush Greatness, releasing January 24, 2025.
Live performances begin at London’s KOKO on January 30, where fans can hear this UK-US collaboration in person.
The Success Formula: Why GBP Works
Beyond clever lyrics, GBP succeeds because it lets both artists stay authentic to their styles while acknowledging their shared British connection.
The track doesn’t force either artist to compromise their sound, instead creating space for both UK drill and US trap to coexist naturally.
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Central Cee & 21 Savage GBP Lyrics
Intro
Yo, come on, Mitch, you know I gotta go
Bring your motherfuckin’—
Chorus: Central Cee & 21 Savage
If it weren’t the UK, would’ve had a AK-47 with a hundred rounds
Red carpet in my trackie and Air Max, they want a boy with a London style
We ain’t got generational wealth, got a couple of mill’ for my unborn child
If I pay a man a hundred thousand pound, I can get man bun right in front of a crowd, uh
That’s GBP, the price go up if it’s USD
Better watch your words, I’ll get you X’d ’bout the shit you tweet (On God)
I told lil’ bro if it’s personal, he better jump out and do it on feet
We got somethin’ in common with scuba divers, why? ’Cause the guys in deep
Verse 1: Central Cee
If it weren’t the UK, would’ve had an AK, gang outside with a samurai sword
Nike Tech fleece with the Air Force 1, my ski mask on, but we don’t snowboard
Go on a glide, leave your phone at home, what’s wrong with these guys? They go and record
So distraught, we was broke as hell, well, until we broke the law
If I lived in Harlem, I would’ve been Mitch, them man would’ve been like Ace and snitched
If it was Oakland, I would’ve been a pimp
If it was 1930, North Carolina, I would’ve been Frank with the mink
If the opps got nominated for the BRITs, would’ve went to the ceremony with sticks
And the G17 would’ve came with a switch
Chorus: Central Cee & 21 Savage
If it weren’t the UK, would’ve had a AK-47 with a hundred rounds
Red carpet in my trackie and Air Max, they want a boy with a London style
We ain’t got generational wealth, got a couple of mill’ for my unborn child
If I pay man a hundred thousand pound, I can get man bun right in front of a crowd, uh (Pussy)
That’s GBP, the price go up if it’s USD (21)
Better watch your words, I’ll get you X’d ’bout the shit you tweet (On God)
I told lil’ bro if it’s personal, he better jump out and do it on feet (21)
We got somethin’ in common with scuba divers, why? ‘Cause the guys in deep
Verse 2: 21 Savage
Latex gloves, I’m on a drill, watch ’em fall, Jack and Jill
Up on the opps, seven to nil, Premier League, I’m in the field
Two things that you’ll never see is me run from an opp or a bitch in my will
Got day ones, and I’m with them still, fightin’ demons, swallowin’ pills
I still want a deal with Nike (On God)
I can’t get caught on no Ring, so I’m inside-outtin’ the shiesty (Straight up)
We go through the front door ’cause they gon’ tell when that back door shit get spicy (Rats)
Internet beef, if I catch you in traffic, the fuck you gon’ do, nigga, type me? (Pussy)
I put this on God, I hit the bitch once, she already tryna be wifey (Damn)
I’m from the street and I got opps, I don’t got time to go sightsee (Damn)
Wake me up with head, put this in your purse and shut the fuck up if you like me (21)
I’ll fill up your closet with Birkins, buy you a wagon, and make sure you icy (Alright)
Chorus: Central Cee & 21 Savage
Alright, if it weren’t the UK, would’ve had an AK-47 with a hundred rounds
Red carpet in my trackie and Air Max, they want a boy with a London style
We ain’t got generational wealth, got a couple of mill’ for my unborn child
If I pay a man a hundred thousand pound, I can get man bun right in front of a crowd, uh (Pussy)
That’s GBP, the price go up if it’s USD (21)
Better watch your words, I’ll get you X’d ’bout the shit you tweet (On God)
I told lil’ bro if it’s personal, he better jump out and do it on feet (21)
We got somethin’ in common with scuba divers, why? ‘Cause the guys in deep
