Convert to Islam? Jungkook’s Collaborator Shocks Fans on Livestream!
- Manar Aly
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
If a global idol is willing to risk their career to share their religion, does that prove that their faith is more real to them than their fame?
Jeon Jungkook is the main singer and the youngest member of the world-famous South Korean group BTS. As of March 2026, he is 28 years old. He is not just a K-pop idol anymore; he is a global pop star who works with the biggest names in music.
The Friendship: Jungkook and Central Cee
In late 2023, he worked with a famous British rapper named Central Cee and an Australian singer named The Kid LAROI on a song called "TOO MUCH".
It was a very big hit because it mixed Jungkook’s singing with Central Cee’s fast rapping style from London." It brought their massive fanbases together and showed that Jungkook can work with serious rappers while staying true to his own music.
Central Cee is 27 years old, which means Jungkook is only 9 months older than him. They are from the same generation, and both became famous very young, so they understand each other’s lives.
Central Cee: The UK Superstar
Central Cee is the most popular rapper in the UK and has broken almost every record there. He is a cultural icon in Britain; his face is on giant billboards, and his own clothing brand called Synaworld, is worn by young people everywhere.
Jungkook’s team chose to work with him because he was the most viral rapper on TikTok and Instagram. This partnership gave Jungkook more respect in the rap world and showed he is a mature artist who can bridge different cultures.
The Big Choice: Conversion to Islam
In February 2026, Central Cee shared some personal life-changing news during a livestream with PlaqueBoyMax.
"I just changed my name and took my shahada. I am a Muslim now."
– Central Cee (Aqeel)
He confirmed that he converted to Islam and changed his name from Central Cee to Aqeel, which means "intelligent" or "wise" in Arabic.
He explained that he was looking for peace and a better way to live. He chose to leave behind the wild lifestyle of a famous rapper to focus on his faith, his family, and staying disciplined. This was a massive story in the UK news because it is rare for a star at the peak of his fame to make such a humble and public spiritual choice.
How the Fans are Reacting
BTS fans (ARMY) are a very organized group and closely follow anyone who works with BTS members. When Central Cee made this big life change, it became a huge topic for them.
Many expressed admiration for what he did, noting that he chose to balance faith and life while at the peak of his career.
Many fans in Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Middle East feel a special connection to him now. For these fans, seeing a high-profile collaborator of Jungkook embrace Islam was a moment of "worlds colliding." Many felt a sense of pride or personal connection because an artist they respect (Central Cee) now shares their faith.
Jungkook’s fans also admire him because they see his growth as a mirror to Jungkook’s own journey.
They both deal with the pressure of being in the spotlight and trying to stay true to themselves while the whole world watches them.
Will the Name on the Song Change?
Even though the rapper announced in early February 2026 that he had converted to Islam and taken the name Aqeel (or Akhil), he is still known professionally as Central Cee.
On streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, the song with Jungkook will still say "Central Cee".
Because of their close friendship and shared journey, many fans are hoping that Jungkook and the newly-converted Aqeel might have another song together in this new chapter in their lives.
When we look at stars like Jungkook and Central Cee (now Aqeel), we see people who have everything the world says will make us happy: millions of dollars, perfect clothes, and the love of the whole world.
Yet, even with all of that, they still went on a search for something more. This leads to a very deep question that makes us think about why we are here. If a person can stand at the very top of the world, with all the money and fame anyone could ever want, and still feel that their heart is empty, is it because we were created for something that this world simply cannot give us?