In the intersection between culture and cinema, Timothée Chalamet has risen like a phoenix, a mythical embodiment of endless talent, spreading wings spanning the screens and microphones. The Oscar-nominated thespian now moves through the realm of hip-hop music like a phantom verse or a whispered chorus of possibilities. Loved for his magnetism and poesy of effortlessly charming characters, rumors now seek to indulge him musically. Speculation about Chalamet's rapper ambitions has taken the limelight and run its own life since last year.

But what does the actor himself have to say about it?

In pop culture, Timothée Chalamet is famous for his prolonged appreciation of hip-hop music, stemming from his old hip-hop moniker Lil Timmy Tim. On February 21, 2026, the Marty Supreme star took part in a CNN town hall event at the University of Texas at Austin’s Moody College of Communication to discuss his stance on pursuing music or a rap career as a side hustle, in the presence of Matthew McConaughey. He expressed reluctance to create and release music, particularly rap music, seriously, stating a fear of failure and rendering the cherished piece of work as a vanity project that would eventually face public criticism.

"I would never want it to be a vanity project. All your friends are like, “This is amazing,” and you put it out, and everyone s---- on it. That would be my big fear," Chalamet told McConaughey in the interview while discussing the answer to his potential return to music.

“Not particularly. You know, Frank Ocean has a gift from God. Justin Bieber has a gift from God. Their voices are heavenly[...] So I’ve always had total humility at the idea of doing music," the actor added while praising the heavenly talents who came before him and created an impossibly high benchmark for music and influenced Chalamet in all the best creative ways possible.

Over the years, Chalamet's name has floated around in the hip-hop sphere with several rumors pointing to his secret career as a full-time rapper. However, the artist always stuck to an evasive technique to respond to any music-oriented questions. Chalamet now dedicates his time to acting through several projects in the pipeline, which hinders his musical journey; however, his roots stretch back to hip-hop, even if playfully so.

Timothée Chalamet Girlfriend 2026: Everything to Know About The Oscar Star's Relationship With Kylie Jenner

At least one out of ten people on the internet has heard Chalamet yeet and skrrrt, and some have also wished for him to reveal a secretly stunning Hannah Montana-esque hidden rapper alter ego.

Timothée Chalamet playfully performed rap under the moniker Lil Timmy Tim in high school. He has joked about musical pursuits in the past, even publishing a hilarious mock hip-hop skit with Pete Davidson on SNL, which went viral online and continues to trend after years. The actor never verified his alleged rap return and denied his identity as the hidden UK artist EsDeeKid, as speculations bubbled.

The Call Me By Your Name actor generated major internet excitement through his 2025 music collaboration, as he rapped alongside EsDeeKid's '4 Raws,' thus quelling all conspiracies. The playful detour through music demonstrated his passion for hip-hop music, which he continues to pursue alongside his cinematic projects. While rap music may not be on his slate, in December 2026, Chalamet will return as Paul Atreides for Dune: Part Three, concluding Denis Villeneuve's space opera series.

‘Die My Love’ Release Date: All About the Robert Pattinson and Jennifer Lawrence Led Unsettling Love Story

What are your thoughts on Chalamet's short-live rapper persona? Let us know in the comments.