Timothée Chalamet (right) alongside rapper EsDeeKid (left) and music video producer Archie Erskine (middle) in New York City, NY., Dec 19 2025. Photo via Instagram
“Marty Supreme,” the 2025 drama about table-tennis player Marty Mauser, dominated online conversation through strategic marketing – from branded clothing to a projection on the Las Vegas Sphere. More notably, lead actor Timothée Chalamet took an unique approach to promoting the film.
During the press run, Chalamet focused on incorporating his interest in underground rap, a genre popular among younger audiences. By incorporating the genre into the film’s promotion, “Marty Supreme” reached audiences beyond traditional movie buffs. The inclusion of underground rap on mainstream platforms legitimized the genre’s artistic credibility, and is a turning point toward broader artistic freedom.
Chalamet’s interest in underground rap first became visible during a BBC News interview, when he honored Fakemink by granting him the right to wear the “Marty Supreme” bomber jacket. The jacket has been characterized as being reserved for the “GOATs” (greatest of all time) of our society, and Chalamet’s decision to extend that recognition to Fakemink signified a moment of mainstream representation for the genre.
Additionally, Chalamet further played into online rumors by featuring on a remix of “4 Raws” by EsDeeKid. Fans had previously created an inside joke suggesting that Chalamet and the anonymous U.K. rapper were the same person. While the remix put those rumors to rest, it sparked new discourse, as listeners noted Chalamet’s genuine respect for underground rap artists.
Chalamet’s collaboration with the genre during promotions for his award-winning film opened a new door between mainstream spaces and niche music communities. It also reflects a turning point among younger generations toward embracing musical diversity, a change that will help shape the future of underground rap.