Rottweiler

Rottweiler serves as a raw, unfiltered snapshot of the life of a "rebel" within the UK underground scene, specifically filtered through the lens of Liverpool's youth culture. The song explores themes of drug abuse, law evasion, and the hustle for financial success, all wrapped in a persona of aggression and unpredictability.

The title "Rottweiler" is central to the song's meaning. Historically, Rottweilers are perceived as guard dogs—fierce, loyal, and dangerous if provoked. By adopting this moniker, EsDeeKid suggests he is a product of his environment: defensive, ready to attack, and commanding respect through fear and power. It implies a beast-like tenacity in his pursuit of success and survival.

Lyrically, the song juxtaposes the highs of the hustle ("money all over me calendar") with the physical and mental toll of the lifestyle ("lacking stamina," "NOS in me head got me gone"). It paints a portrait of a chaotic existence where the protagonist is constantly on the run—both literally from the police and metaphorically from sobriety or stability. The reference to being an "activist" versus an "amateur" redefines his criminal or anti-social behavior as a professional dedication, elevating his street activities to a disciplined craft.

The song opens with a vivid depiction of an illicit lifestyle, immediately immersing the listener in a world of substance use and evasion. The narrator describes being surrounded by an overwhelming amount of "snow," a metaphor likening the quantity of cocaine to the wintery landscape of Canada. This imagery sets a cold, numbing tone that persists throughout the track. Simultaneously, the protagonist speaks of their lungs being filled with "kush smoke," adding a layer of haze to the atmosphere.

A sense of urgency and paranoia undercuts the drug-fueled confidence as the narrator admits to running from "plod" (the police). Despite the adrenaline of the chase, they confess to a lack of physical stamina, likely a consequence of the very substances they are consuming. The lyrics delve further into this intoxication, referencing the disorienting effects of nitrous oxide ("NOS") which has left them mentally scattered, to the point where they can no longer handle the canister.

The narrative then shifts to themes of hustle and relentless ambition. The protagonist claims to take "no days off," transitioning from a state of having nothing and plotting their rise, to now seeing their calendar covered in money. There is a clear distinction drawn between the narrator and their peers; they view others as "amateurs" in the game of life, while positioning themselves as an "activist"—perhaps implying they are actively making moves or disrupting the status quo. The recurring motif of the "Rottweiler" serves as the thematic anchor, symbolizing an aggressive, guarded nature that defines their survival on the streets.

Rottweiler was released on June 20, 2025, as a track on EsDeeKid's debut studio album, Rebel. The album was released through XV Records and Lizzy Records. The production for the track, like much of the album, was handled by Wraith9, who is credited with crafting the project's signature atmospheric and lo-fi sound.

The song's creation is deeply rooted in EsDeeKid's mysterious public persona. Hailing from Liverpool, the artist performs in a balaclava, keeping his identity anonymous. This anonymity fueled a massive viral conspiracy theory leading up to and following the album's release, where internet sleuths speculated that EsDeeKid was actually Hollywood actor Timothée Chalamet engaging in an elaborate piece of performance art. While seemingly absurd, this rumor significantly boosted the visibility of tracks like "Rottweiler."

Musically, the song was designed to fit the Rebel album's narrative of "streetlit debauchery." It showcases the specific "Scouse" (Liverpool) accent and slang, differentiating it from the London-centric dominance of UK Drill and Grime.

The song employs a loose, conversational rhyme scheme that often relies on slant rhymes and assonance rather than perfect end rhymes. For example, pairing "Canada" with "stamina" and "canister" relies on the repetition of the 'a' and 'n' sounds. This technique creates a rolling, hypnotic flow that mimics the stream-of-consciousness style of cloud rap.

Rhythmically, the vocal phrasing often drags slightly behind the beat, a common trait in this genre, creating a laid-back or "lazy" feel that contrasts with the frantic nature of the lyrics (running from police). This rhythmic tension—the push and pull between the urgent subject matter and the relaxed delivery—is key to the song's unique vibe.

Musical Techniques: The production by Wraith9 leans heavily into cloud rap and jerk textures. It features hazy synthesizers, heavy reverb, and a distorted bassline that creates a suffocating, lo-fi atmosphere. The beat is likely somewhat disjointed or off-kilter, characteristic of the "jerk" influence, which complements the disoriented lyrical content.

Vocal Delivery: EsDeeKid's delivery is the song's most distinctive feature. He utilizes a heavy Scouse accent (Liverpool dialect), which adds a layer of authenticity and regional identity. His flow is often described as slurred or melodic, blurring the lines between rapping and mumbling, which mirrors the intoxicated state described in the lyrics.

Literary Devices: The lyrics employ hyperbole ("coming like Canada") to exaggerate the scale of drug use. There is also a strong use of juxtaposition, contrasting the physical weakness ("lacking stamina") with the mental sharpness needed to "whip it smart" and make money.

"Rottweiler" and the parent album Rebel represent a significant moment for Liverpool's rap scene, pushing the Scouse accent into the global spotlight in a genre typically dominated by London, Atlanta, or New York voices. The song's success was amplified by the widespread Timothée Chalamet conspiracy theory, which posited that the Hollywood actor was secretly the man behind the balaclava. This viral phenomenon on TikTok and Twitter turned EsDeeKid into a cult figure in 2025.

Commercially, the album charted across Europe and cracked the US Billboard 200, a rare feat for a regional UK underground artist. "Rottweiler" contributed to this success as a fan-favorite deep cut that exemplified the artist's raw, unpolished appeal.

The lyrics of "Rottweiler" are dense with street slang and metaphorical imagery:

• The Rottweiler: Represents the artist's persona—aggressive, territorial, and dangerous. It symbolizes the need to be "dog-eat-dog" to survive in his environment.
• Snow / Canada: A metaphor for cocaine. By comparing the quantity of drugs to the snowy climate of Canada, the artist emphasizes the sheer scale of the illicit substance present in his life.
• Plod: British slang for the police. Running from "plod" symbolizes the constant state of evasion and the cat-and-mouse game between the artist and authority.
• NOS / Canister: Refers to Nitrous Oxide. The "canister" represents a cheap, fleeting high that contributes to the "gone" (intoxicated) mental state described in the song.
• Calendar of Money: Symbolizes the transition from poverty ("plotting with nothing") to success, where time is literally measured by financial gain rather than dates.

The primary motif is the "Rottweiler" itself, which likely acts as a hook or a recurring conceptual anchor, reinforcing the aggressive stance of the track. Another recurring element is the reference to coldness and numbness, both through the "snow" imagery and the emotional detachment of the narrator.

The phrase "No days off" acts as a mantra for the hustle, repeated to emphasize the relentless nature of the street economy. The contrast between being an "activist" and an "amateur" may also appear as a recurring structural device to assert dominance over competitors.