EsDeeKid, the anonymous Liverpool rapper, has publicly condemned The Chainsmokers for releasing an unauthorized remix of his track '4 Raws' on streaming platforms. In a post on X, he announced plans to remove the remix and urged respect for artists' consent. The incident highlights ongoing debates about remix culture in the music industry.
On January 2, 2026, EsDeeKid voiced his frustration on X after discovering The Chainsmokers' remix of his song '4 Raws' had been uploaded to digital service providers (DSPs) without permission. 'That Chainsmokers remix is getting NUKED – mate wow please,' he wrote, followed by, 'don’t remix my shit and think it’s cool to post to all DSPs.' True to his statement, the full remix was swiftly removed from YouTube and SoundCloud, though clips continue to circulate online.
This is not an isolated incident for The Chainsmokers, who have recently released several unauthorized remixes, including versions of Charli XCX’s 'party 4 u,' Chappell Roan’s 'Pink Pony Club,' Gracie Abrams’ 'That’s So True,' and Sombr’s 'Back To Friends.' Their only authorized recent remix was of Taylor Swift’s 'The Fate Of Ophelia.' The Chainsmokers have been approached for comment but have not yet responded.
EsDeeKid's reaction comes amid a rising profile for the rapper, whose debut album Rebel earned praise in NME's list of the 50 best albums of 2025. Critic Kyann-Sian Williams described it as featuring 'punkish bravado and glossy, high-voltage shine,' with 'crunchy bass and breath-halting 808s' underscoring his 'gruff Scouse delivery.' Tracks like the original '4 Raws' and 'Phantom' have amassed tens of millions of streams, and Rebel charted in the UK and Europe.
Adding to the buzz, EsDeeKid recently addressed rumors linking him to actor Timothée Chalamet by collaborating on an official remix of '4 Raws.' The speculation arose in the fall of 2025, fueled by Chalamet's evasive 'no comment' in a Heart FM interview. In the remix clip, Chalamet raps lines such as 'Got model bitches in Peckham / I’m riding rentals in Wrexham' and references stacking wealth alongside a partner with billions.
Looking ahead, EsDeeKid is set for a North American and Australian tour, and he will open for Deftones at London's Outbreak Fest 2026 alongside IDLES, Amyl & The Sniffers, and JPEGMAFIA. The controversy underscores broader tensions in remix culture, emphasizing the need for artist consent in the streaming age.
