How EsDeeKid used TikTok, mystery, and memes, to break into the UK rap scene 

Meet the new kid on the block, EsDeeKid. He exploded on the music scene seemingly out of nowhere. In an era where artists are rising through the radio or from major labels, EsDeeKid followed a different path using social media. The most recent subject to come out of this TikTok wave is EsDeeKid, a masked rapper from Liverpool who has gained a massive following without ever revealing his face or doing any interviews.  

EsDeeKid’s rise matters because it shows how much the music industry has changed. Today, artists no longer need traditional promotion or a public personality to succeed. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram can really help blow up an artist overnight, and mystery can be just as powerful as exposure. Esdeekid lets the internet do all of the work, while he just sits back and relaxes. 

The UK rap scene is constantly changing, but every once in a while, an artist appears who feels impossible to ignore.  Esdeekid is one of those artists. EsDeeKid started releasing music in 2024, and within a year, he went from uploading songs online to becoming one of the fastest rising names in the underground UK rap genre. His early songs releases helped him build momentum, but his real breakthrough came in the summer of 2025 when he dropped his debut album called “Rebel”, released on June Twenty. 

What makes EsDeeKid stand out even more is his mysterious image. He is always seen wearing a balaclava, hiding his face keeping his identity unknown. This has caused fans to enjoy his music more than focus on his personal life or appearance. The mystery about him has become a major part of his appeal and rise. 

Liverpool has always been an important city for music. Many legendary music artists are from Liverpool, the most famous being the Beatles. However, EsdeeKid’s music is a lot more aggressive, loud, and energetic, and his strong Scouse accent makes his voice stand out immediately, which adds to the authenticity of his music.  

One thing every listener enjoys is the beats on his songs; they contain heavy bass, distorted beats, and synths. He raps aggressively and rarely slows down. This style is especially clear on songs like “Mist” “Century,” and “Cali man.” His producer Wraith9 plays a huge part in shaping his sound and creating beats that match EsDeeKid’s style of rapping.  

While his album Rebel performed well as a whole, the song that truly pushed EsDeeKid into the mainstream was his song “Phantom” with currently 170 million streams on Spotify. In late 2025, the song went viral mainly being used for edits. As the trend continued, later in December, the song would be used in memes; the memes weren’t making fun of the artist, but instead it was making fun of the fans, calling them corny and trying too hard to look mysterious.   

This type of fan focused on humor is not new in the underground rap culture. Similar memes have been around fans of artists like Ken Carson, where the music is respected, but the fanbase becomes the joke rather than the artist himself. A common picture in the Esdeekid memes was actor Michael C. Hall, blinged out in diamond jewelry. While the memes were meant to be ironic, they still helped spread the popularity of the song even further. 

One of the most unexpected things about EsDeeKid’s rise is his relation to Timothee Chalamet.  Fans began to speculate that Timothee Chalamet was Esdeekid due to their unique green eyes. While it started as a joke, it gained attention when he was asked on a podcast if he was EsDeeKid, Timothee Chalamet replied saying mysteriously, “all will be revealed in due time.”  

The speculation reached another level. In December, EsDeeKid dropped a remix of the song “4 Raws” featuring Timothee Chalamet. While there is no proof that they are the same person, both Chalamet and EsDeeKid did not deny the rumors, which has kept fans talking and added even more attention to Esdeekid. 

EsDeeKid also has many songs featuring underground UK rappers like Rico ace and Fake Minks. Sometimes their voices sound similar like on one of their most popular songs together, “LV sandals”, but EsDeeKid usually stands out because of how much energy he brings and how aggressive he sounds compared to the others. 

As his popularity continues to grow, EsDeeKid is set to tour internationally in early 2026, with shows across North America and Australia. Many of these shows have already sold out, with resale tickets skyrocketing in price. 

EsDeeKid’s rise shows that success in today’s music industry does not follow a single formula. An artist no longer needs radio play, interviews or a public image to succeed. Through TikTok edits, memes, and non-stop online discussion, EsDeeKid blew up. Whether people were serious fans or just in on it for the joke, they still listened to his music.