Actor Timothée Chalamet has publicly ended weeks of fan speculation that he secretly performs as masked rapper EsDeeKid by appearing alongside the artist in a newly released music video. The clip, filmed in north London, shows Chalamet briefly mimicking EsDeeKid’s eye-only reveal before removing a bandana and delivering rap lines on a remix of EsDeeKid’s current single. The collaboration coincided with EsDeeKid’s recent run into the UK top 10 and with Chalamet’s promotion of his upcoming film, adding a viral twist to both careers.
Key Takeaways
- Chalamet appears in a music-video remix of EsDeeKid’s song “4Raws,” a track currently described as a top-40 single.
- EsDeeKid has recently entered the UK top 10, a rise that unfolded while both parties remained publicly silent on identity rumours.
- The clip was shot at Andover Minimarket Off Licence in north London and was reposted by EsDeeKid’s account.
- In the video Chalamet raps lines including, “It’s Timothée Chalamet chillin’, tryin’ to stack $100 million,” and references partner Kylie Jenner with “Girl got $1 billion.”
- Before the clip surfaced, Chalamet had told the BBC, “No comment… You’ll see, all in due time,” when asked about the connection.
- British and US artists reacted rapidly on social platforms: Central Cee, Tinie Tempah and Shaboozey all posted quick public responses.
- Chalamet previously used the nickname Lil Timmy Tim in high school, a biographical detail fans cited in speculation.
Background
Masked or anonymous performers have a long history in popular music, from electronic producers to drill and hip-hop acts who emphasize persona over personal biography. In recent years social-media sleuthing has intensified public curiosity about who hides behind a mask, with fans comparing facial features, vocal patterns and personal histories to identify performers. EsDeeKid, a drill artist known for showing only his eyes, cultivated that mystique; the mask became central to his image and to how listeners engage with his music.
The rumours linking Chalamet to EsDeeKid emerged after fans noted what they described as similarities in the actors’ and rapper’s visible features, particularly the eyes. Speculation ramped up as EsDeeKid climbed the UK charts and Chalamet promoted his new film, creating a media moment that blurred promotion, fandom and identity narratives. Industry observers noted that celebrity collaborations and provocative reveals can amplify streaming numbers and social engagement, whether intentional or incidental.
Main Event
The video shows Chalamet initially framed like EsDeeKid — only his eyes visible behind a covering — before he drops the bandana and raps in English on the remix of “4Raws.” The sequence includes playful braggadocio and namechecks of Chalamet’s own film, building on an existing marketing cadence around the actor. The clip’s setting, Andover Minimarket Off Licence in north London, reinforces the street-level aesthetic commonly associated with drill videos.
Chalamet’s vocal performance in the clip includes direct lines referencing money and a partner, and the artist quickly reposted the material, signalling either endorsement or collaborative intent. The move effectively stopped the identity rumours being discussed as a plausible secret double life and reframed them as a creative partnership. Social platforms filled with short-form reactions and memes within hours of the post.
The timing also intersected with conventional publicity: Chalamet has been promoting Marty Supreme, and the cameo-in-music-video device has precedent as a way to extend publicity across audience groups. The public exchange between the actor’s camp and the masked rapper remained minimal before the video, so the appearance served as the most direct public evidence to date.
Analysis & Implications
At face value the collaboration ends a particular conspiracy theory by presenting both figures together; that resolution illustrates how social-media proof functions in a culture quick to fill gaps with speculation. For EsDeeKid, the publicity boost from association with an international film star can accelerate streams and mainstream attention, potentially translating to higher chart placements and festival bookings. For Chalamet, the stunt broadens his profile into music culture while supporting his film promotion.
There are also reputational trade-offs. Masked artists rely on mystique and anonymity as artistic capital; collaborating directly with a high-profile actor may alter audience perception of authenticity among core drill listeners. Conversely, some fans and industry professionals will see the crossover as a clever, mutually beneficial move that expands both audiences. Marketwise, moments like this can increase single sales and streams in the short term, though sustaining that interest depends on the artist’s subsequent releases and performances.
On a broader level, the episode highlights how celebrity identity and privacy are negotiated publicly. Fans’ desire to unmask performers intersects with artists’ choices about when and how to control narrative; when the reveal is playful rather than confrontational it can function as marketing rather than an involuntary breach. The clip also underscores how quickly rumors can move from niche forums to mainstream outlets and then be resolved or redirected by a single piece of content.
Comparison & Data
| Item | Reported Detail |
|---|---|
| EsDeeKid single “4Raws” | Described as a top-40 hit (UK chart reference) |
| EsDeeKid chart momentum | Reached the UK top 10 in recent weeks (as reported) |
The figures above are drawn from chart reports cited in coverage of the collaboration. The difference between a top-40 single and a top-10 placement can reflect substantial increases in streams, radio plays and playlist placements; reaching the top 10 typically indicates broader mainstream exposure. That exposure was amplified in this case by high-engagement social posts and celebrity reactions within hours of the video surfacing.
Reactions & Quotes
Public responses were swift and from a mix of peers and wider audiences, demonstrating the clip’s viral spread across music and entertainment circles.
“Naaa” (with crying and laughing emojis)
Central Cee (British rapper, social post)
Central Cee’s short, emoji-laden reply captured a surprised amusement from a peer in the UK rap scene; his response was widely reshared and helped drive additional attention to the clip.
“Hahha this is sickkk”
Tinie Tempah (British rapper/producer, social post)
Tinie Tempah’s reaction framed the collaboration as an entertaining crossover, reinforcing a positive reception among some established UK artists.
“This going #1”
Shaboozey (US artist, social post)
Shaboozey’s short prediction highlighted the commercial optimism some artists have for the remix’s chart potential; social endorsements like this can influence streaming behavior among followers.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Chalamet wrote the bars he performs in the video remains unconfirmed; no songwriting credits were published at the time of reporting.
- It has not been independently verified whether all vocals in the clip were performed live on set or recorded and edited in post-production.
- Fans’ earlier claims that Chalamet had been EsDeeKid for an extended period are not substantiated by independent evidence prior to the joint video.
Bottom Line
The short video collaboration between Timothée Chalamet and EsDeeKid appears to put to rest a fan-driven identity theory by providing clear, public interaction between the two figures. That resolution shifted attention from conspiracy to publicity, benefiting both the masked rapper’s chart momentum and the actor’s promotional cycle for his film. Observers should read the clip as a deliberate cultural moment that mixes marketing, persona play and cross-audience outreach.
Looking ahead, the real measure of impact will be sustained audience engagement: whether EsDeeKid converts the spike into longer-term growth, and whether Chalamet’s involvement signals more frequent crossovers between major film stars and contemporary music subcultures. For now, the episode is a notable example of how quickly identity rumors can be quelled or reframed in the age of viral content.