In the crowd at EsDeeKid’s London show
The scouse rapper's Rebel tour was legendary.
Music
Words: The Face
Photography: Katie Tang
“I’ve got something to tell you London,” EsDeeKid announces on stage, just before launching into his new tune Century: “I’m the hardest out”. He’s probably right.
This year, the masked scouse rapper has been on a generational run. It kicked off in February with LV Sandals – a smoky collab with fakemink and Rico Ace, which was certified as 2025’s underground anthem. Then, in summer, EsDee dropped his debut album Rebel, pairing razor-sharp bars with a dystopian sci-fi sound crafted by the experimental producer Wraith9. A bunch of the album’s tracks – including Phantom, 4 Raws and Rottweiler – have gone viral, and EsDeeKid swiftly sold out his UK/EU Rebel tour. He’s since enjoyed cosigns from Yung Lean, Yeat and Demna, and right now now he’s got 5.6 million monthly Spotify listeners. Can we still accurately call him an underground artist?
On the final night of the Rebel tour at London’s Electric Ballroom, photographer Katie Tang headed into the crowd to see what the fans are saying.
Emily (left)
Best EsdeeKid track?
Cali Man, because it’s different from everything else. I love the tune, I love his little bounces in between, I love his accent. I just fucking love it.
Riley (right)
Why do you think he’s blowing up?
His sound is so hard. His voice is so unique, it’s the scouse accent. His beats and his melodies are a universal thing that people love.
Joseph
What do you love about EsDeeKid?
I love the rebel theme. I think we’re at a turning point in history; we’re fighting Reform, voting Green. I think EsDee carries the energy that the youth need – underground music as a whole is carrying the energy that the youth need.
Hussein (right)
What do you love about EsDeeKid’s music?
I love how raw and loud it is. He’s unapologetically himself, that’s what I love the most. He’s a scouse lad – we ain’t got a lot of scouse people on the scene, you know what I mean? He’s bigging up his people.
Osh
Other than EsDeeKid, who else are you listening to?
NewJeans, Loski, Ethel Cain and Trey Songz.
Apache (right)
Best EsDeeKid track?
It’s definitely Apathy.
Jake (left)
Why do you think EsDeeKid is blowing up?
Cuz he’s a hometown body man, scouser! Not London ting, not American ting, mate, he’s a scouser boy!
Katie (right)
Who else are you listening to?
I’m listening dedwrite a lot.
