EsDeeKid, the anonymous Liverpool rapper who has kept his identity closely guarded since emerging from the UK underground, is having the defining month of his career. On May 15, 2026, the Scouse MC became one of the few music artists to receive his own Fortnite skin and in-game song — and within days, Academy Award-winning actor Timothée Chalamet dropped a surprise rap verse on a remix of EsDeeKid's single "4 Raws," sending social media into overdrive. The combined moment represents the most high-profile stretch of exposure any UK underground rapper has received in recent memory, all while EsDeeKid's real identity remains officially unconfirmed.
EsDeeKid x Fortnite: A Crossover for the Culture
The collaboration between EsDeeKid and Fortnite was announced on May 13, 2026, with the skin and accompanying song going live inside the game two days later on May 15, per reporting by esports.gg. The partnership places EsDeeKid's music in front of Fortnite's hundreds of millions of global players — an audience that extends far beyond the boundaries of any streaming platform.
The Fortnite deal follows a year of accelerating momentum. In April 2026, Complex magazine ranked EsDeeKid at No. 14 on its 100 Hottest Rappers Right Now list, with writer Antonio Johri describing him as "the de facto leader in the globally surging underground UK rap scene," according to Complex.
Chalamet's Verse Sets the Internet on Fire
Just as the Fortnite news was still generating buzz, Timothée Chalamet escalated the conversation further. The actor posted a music video snippet to his Twitter/X account featuring a rap verse on a remix of "4 Raws." The clip instantly went viral, with fans debating whether Chalamet had secretly been EsDeeKid all along — a theory that had already been circulating online for months.
Chalamet first gained widespread attention for his musical abilities during press for the 2024 Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, in which he performed Dylan's catalog live. His participation in an EsDeeKid remix, whether promotional or personal, has only deepened the intrigue surrounding both figures.
The Identity Mystery That Won't Die
EsDeeKid's anonymity has been one of the most captivating subplots in UK music in 2026. In February, Liverpool rapper Mazza L20 posted a photograph to Instagram that he claimed showed EsDeeKid's face, following a public dispute over a collaborative song, according to Capital XTRA. Neither EsDeeKid nor any representative has confirmed or denied the image. The mystery has proven to be one of the most effective pieces of organic marketing in recent hip-hop history — and it appears to be entirely genuine.
"The de facto leader in the globally surging underground UK rap scene."— Complex, April 2026
Who Is EsDeeKid?
EsDeeKid is a Scouse rapper who emerged from Liverpool's underground scene and built his following through deliberately mysterious branding and an atmospheric, distinctive production style. His music has drawn co-signs from Jack Harlow and Cole Bennett of Lyrical Lemonade, among others. He operates entirely independently, with no major label affiliation confirmed at the time of publication.
What's Next
EsDeeKid has two upcoming live dates confirmed, with the next show scheduled for July 1, 2026, at Ferropolis in Gräfenhainichen, Germany — a landmark open-air venue that has hosted some of Europe's biggest acts. Whether the Fortnite collab, the Chalamet remix, or an eventual identity reveal will define his 2026 legacy remains to be seen. Right now, all three are pulling in the same direction.
Follow LoudDrip for the latest on EsDeeKid and the UK underground rap scene.