Who is DIDE? Premier League player releases rap song as theories on identity emerge

Theories have emerged online purporting the masked rapper Dide to be Arsenal centre-forward Eddie Nketiah after the song ‘Thrill’ was released over the weekend.

Speculation had been abound surrounding the identity of the Premier League star said to be behind the mask. 

However, fans on social media believe they have cracked the conundrum, pointing to the lyrics in the song, the supposed iconic celebration shown and also the fact that Dide is an anagram of Eddi, a shortened version of the forward’s Christian name.

Supporters raved about the song which has already garnered close to 80,000 views on YouTube since its release on the weekend.

‘Get ready to be blown away by the powerful new music video for ‘Thrill’!’ a caption below the video reads.

It is claimed by many on social media that the star is Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah – with some pointing to a host of reasons

The Arsenal forward has been connected with being behind the song owing to a host of reasons 

‘Our talented artist dives deep into the emotional turmoil and struggles he keeps hidden from the fans.

‘From behind his mysterious rose mask, he proves himself an incredible lyricist, exploring identity, inequality, and modern society in astonishing detail.’

Writing on social media, one fan was convinced of the identity of the footballer-turned-rap star, claiming it was Nketiah.

‘If you haven’t seen it already, an ‘unknown’ Premier League footballer has just dropped a new track,’ they wrote. ‘However, he’s not unknown to most of us; it’s Eddie Nketiah. Arsenal fans (and rival fans), check him out. Show him some love.’

Another, pointing to the anagram theory, wrote: ‘Eddie Nketiah released one of his first songs under the name “Dide” (anagram of Eddi) if you haven’t heard it already go check it out!’

‘So the ‘unknown’ premier league rapper known as ‘DIDE’ dropped a track on YouTube 3 days ago. Except he isn’t unknown; he is Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal. No doubt about it,’ another suggested.

Perhaps less stringent in their belief of the identity of Dide, but still somewhat convinced it is Nketiah, another added: ‘Few things make me think Dide is Eddie Nketiah… Dide feels like a clever switch in Eddie. 

‘Celebration in his video is Saka. Eddie is Kick Game etc which don’t happen unless you promoting something.’

Alluding to the lyrics contained within the song, another fan said that it was ‘100 per cent’ an Arsenal player, be it ‘Nketiah, Nelson, Tomiyasu, Saka or Rob Holding’.

Dide makes references within the song to every game being like a final, a trope that has been regularly associated with Arsenal this season as they chase an unlikely first Premier League crown in 19 years.

One fan appeared convinced that the identity of the rapper was none other than Nketiah

Another was as convinced, writing that there is no doubt about their identity

This fan pointed to the anagram theory as reason enough for it definitely being Nketiah

While another called for their fellow supporters to go and show the forward some ‘love’

‘Catch me online cause my team stayed winning,’ they are also heard rapping. ‘You know how it is, they’re gonna put it in the paper like “Which baller is this?”‘

Were it to be Nketiah, he would not be the first professional footballer to try their hand at music.

In recent years, Daniel Sturridge, Jese Rodriguez and Memphis Depay have all tried their hand at it, among others.

Depay, who releases songs under his own name, has more than 750,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel, with his most recent release ‘Asem Beba’ garnering over a million views.