British singer of hit song ‘Too Much’ embraces Islam

2026-02-09 - 09:16

LONDON – British singer and rapper Oakley Neil Caesar-Su, widely known by his stage name Central C, has announced that he has embraced Islam and changed his name. The artist, whose hit English song “Too Much” was released in 2023, confirmed his conversion during a live streaming session. During the broadcast, he stated that he had recited the Kalima Shahada and formally accepted Islam. The 27-year-old rapper also revealed that he has changed his first name from Oakley to Aqeel following his conversion. He recited the Kalima live during the stream, while friends present at the time congratulated him on the occasion. Central C, known globally for his distinctive musical style and lyrics reflecting everyday life, did not elaborate further on his spiritual journey during the announcement. Prior to this, the rapper had not publicly discussed his religious beliefs. However, fans had previously speculated about his interest in Islam after noticing Arabic captions in some of his social media posts. Born in London on June 4, 1998, Central C began his music career in 2014 and later rose to prominence in the British drill and rap music scene. In 2024, he was named the most-streamed British rapper worldwide, with his music garnering billions of listens across digital platforms.