Mystery Premier League rapper Dide billed himself as a ‘voice for all football players’ but refused to reveal his identity during his first on-camera interview.
The anonymous artist started releasing music online earlier this year and sparked wild speculation over his identity, with numerous superstars thrown into the mix.
Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka are among the favourites while Noni Madueke and Alex Iwobi have also been tipped as the man behind the mask.
The rapper released his first track, Thrill, in April and the song has since racked up over five million plays on Spotify. He also has millions of viewers on YouTube.
Still hidden behind his rose mask, Dide spoke to Sky News and delved deeper into his decision to enter the industry and why he is so desperate to remain incognito.
Mystery Premier League rapper Dide refused to reveal his identity as speculation continues
Dide began releasing music earlier this year and his tracks have racked up millions of hits
Eddie Nketiah (right) is among the heavy favourites with Bukayo Saka also thrown into the mix
‘I feel like Dide is a voice for football players, for the sport,’ he said.
‘Every game we get criticised, when we win, when we draw, whether you play bad, whether you play good. Adding something outside of football is just adding more criticism. So it was easy for me to make that decision to keep the music separate.
‘My effort and my concentration towards football is 100 per cent.’
Dide explained the thinking behind making music without using his real identity.
‘Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion,’ he said. ‘Obviously we made the decision [to be anonymous] and we ran with it. It kind of organically happened.
‘Nothing was really thought out to trick people… The main thing for me is the music rather than the football player. I guess fans and the public ran with all these different opinions, which is cool. But it was definitely not a marketing trick.’
Similarities between tattoos were made with Dide (L) and former Liverpool forward Sheyi Ojo
Ojo (right) is currently on loan in Belgium but rose through the Anfield ranks before leaving
He also insisted that the anonymity ‘protects myself, protects other football players as well’, because his lyrics ‘might be about my team-mate, for example.’
A large number of Dide’s followers believe former Liverpool forward Sheyi Ojo may be the mystery artist. He is currently on loan in Belgium from Championship side Cardiff City but did rise through the ranks at Anfield before leaving in 2022.
Comparisons were drawn between Ojo’s diamond tattoo and one on Dide’s hand.
However, the rumours are set to continue, with Dide not willing to give the game away just yet. He has, though, teased a potential reveal in the future.
‘As the music comes out, it will kind of make sense,’ he said. ‘Maybe I might reveal myself in the future. Who knows?’
