Century

We say

Closing out this week’s Ones To Watch 2026 is masked alt-rap force EsDeeKid. The enigmatic Merseyside MC has turned anonymity into a catalyst for myth-making, letting his fierce Scouse delivery and heavy-hitting bars speak for themselves as speculation swirls around his identity. His breakthrough arrived with 2024’s 'Bally' featuring Rico Ace, and he has since rocketed through the scene, rapidly amassing 9.8m monthly Spotify listeners, and cultivating a loyal cult following drawn to his raw, punk-leaning energy and unmistakable vocal bite. He dropped his debut album 'Rebel' in June, which has now surpassed 350m global streams. It currently sits at no.13 on the OCC and no.67 on the Billboard 200, and ranks as the second-most-streamed rap album of the year behind Central Cee's. Lead single 'Phantom' has cleared 90m streams, peaking at no.12 on Spotify UK and the OCC, and charting globally. In October and November, he became the most-streamed artist on SoundCloud in the UK, with three tracks in the OCC Top 40. New single 'Century' has just delivered him his first Top 10 hit and continues to power the rise of 'Phantom' and '4 Raws' in the charts. With its menacing pace, sharpened lyricism, and high-voltage delivery, 'Century' showcases why EsDeeKid is one of the stars of the future. Part of a new wave with Fakemink and Jim Legxacy, he is pushing underground sounds into the mainstream. EsDeeKid’s all-black, baggy silhouette and anarchic, punk-charged presence have already made his live shows notorious. This includes two sold-out London dates on a recent 17-stop European tour. With new music on the horizon and international dates across the US, Canada, and Australia booked for early 2026, EsDeeKid’s rise from the underground looks not just unstoppable, but inevitable.

Contact

Label: Sincere, Lizzy Records  
Distribution: ADA
Marketing: Rianne Gordon, Lizzy Records/Daniel Mburu, ADA
Radio: Andy Park, All Ears
Streaming: Nick Sheldon, ADA
Press: Ebi Sampson, August Agency
Live & Management: Lua, Aux LDN