UK rapper EsDeeKid has publicly addressed the release of an unauthorized remix of his track “4 Raws” by global EDM duo The Chainsmokers, sparking widespread conversation across music and social media circles.
On January 2, EsDeeKid took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his frustration after discovering the remix had been uploaded to digital streaming platforms without his consent. In the post, the masked artist made it clear the release was not approved and would be removed. Shortly after, the remix appeared to be taken down from YouTube and SoundCloud, although excerpts continued to circulate across social platforms. At the time of publication, The Chainsmokers had not issued a public response.
The incident arrives amid a period of heightened remix activity from The Chainsmokers, who have recently shared reworks of several high-profile songs via their social channels. One notable exception remains their officially credited remix of “The Fate of Ophelia” with Taylor Swift, which is currently available on Spotify.
https://x.com/esdeekidd/status/2006886224074777021
Despite maintaining an anonymous, masked persona, EsDeeKid has experienced a breakout year, fueled in part by viral speculation linking him to Oscar-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet. The rumors reached a peak when Chalamet appeared on an official remix of “4 Raws,” delivering a headline-grabbing verse that blurred the line between music, pop culture, and film promotion.
The momentum surrounding the speculation and remix activity translated into significant commercial traction for EsDeeKid. His debut project Rebel debuted at No. 131 on the Billboard 200 in November, marking a major milestone for the rising UK artist.
While the situation with The Chainsmokers has raised questions around remix ethics and artist consent in the streaming era, EsDeeKid’s rapid ascent continues to position him as one of the most intriguing and talked-about new voices in contemporary hip-hop.
