The rumors had swirled for months, a captivating mystery gripping the internet: was Hollywood heartthrob Timothée Chalamet secretly moonlighting as the enigmatic Scouse rapper, EsDeeKid? The speculation, fueled by a striking resemblance and an air of deliberate ambiguity, reached fever pitch.
EsDeeKid exploded onto the music scene last summer with “Bally,” a track that quickly gained traction across the UK, Europe, and even the US. His debut album, “Rebel,” soared to number nine on the UK album charts, all while the artist remained shrouded in mystery, performing always masked and speaking with a thick Liverpool accent.
Chalamet himself playfully stoked the flames, offering only a cryptic “no comment” when questioned, then hinting, “All will be revealed.” It wasn’t a tease he left unanswered for long. He dropped a surprise remix of EsDeeKid’s “4 Raws,” accompanied by a music video that shattered expectations.
The video opened with Chalamet fully embodying the EsDeeKid persona – balaclava, hood, the whole enigmatic package. Then, a dramatic reveal: he pulled back the mask, exposing a freshly buzzed head and his own unmistakable features. The internet collectively lost its mind.
The remix wasn’t just a visual stunt; Chalamet unleashed a torrent of surprisingly sharp and audacious rap lyrics. He name-dropped model “b*hes in Peckham,” playfully referenced Ryan Reynolds’ ownership of Wrexham football club, and alluded to his girlfriend Kylie Jenner’s considerable wealth with a casual mention of “billions.”
Under the moniker “Lil Timmy Tim,” a nod to a rapping alter-ego from his high school days, Chalamet boasted of a life lived on a grand scale: “My life is an opera, look at the Oscars, look at the groupies, look at the movies.” He punctuated the track with repeated declarations of “Marty Supreme,” his controversial new film character.
The response was immediate and explosive. Studio A24 simply commented “all is revealed,” while fans erupted with excitement. One user declared it “the biggest collab of the century,” admitting to being “shaking.” Others praised Chalamet’s unexpected lyrical prowess, predicting platinum sales.
Yet, even with the collaboration, a lingering doubt persisted among some. Skeptical fans pointed to subtle inconsistencies, suggesting the possibility of a clever deception, a carefully constructed illusion designed to maintain the mystery. “You can’t tell me he’s not him,” one TikTok user argued, “just having someone cover up.”
The truth is, Chalamet’s history with rap runs deeper than many realized. During his time at Laguardia High School in New York City, he fully embraced a rapper persona, complete with performances and a dedicated stage presence. This past fueled the speculation surrounding EsDeeKid.
EsDeeKid himself remained an enigma, his identity fiercely guarded. He never showed his face, only his eyes – eyes that bore a remarkable resemblance to Chalamet’s. Adding to the intrigue, observant fans noticed striking similarities in their clothing, like a distinctive scarf spotted in various photos.
EsDeeKid’s rise was meteoric, his song “Phantom” racking up over 90 million streams and securing him over 11 million monthly listeners. The speculation surrounding his identity undoubtedly contributed to this explosive popularity, propelling him onto a European tour.
The timing of the tour, however, presented a curious puzzle. EsDeeKid performed in cities like Paris, Madrid, Manchester, and London while Chalamet was seemingly occupied with promotional duties. Except for one date. On October 9th, EsDeeKid played Milan, while Chalamet was 4,000 miles away in New York for a film screening.
A direct flight between the two cities is seven to nine hours. Could Chalamet realistically have made it to Milan and back in time? The logistical impossibility only deepened the mystery, leading some to believe a stand-in might have been used for that single performance – and perhaps, the music video – a calculated move to deflect attention.
