Tom Hardy resurrects Bane voice on new rap album
Tom Hardy Unleashes Raw Rap with Czarface and Epic Literary References
Actor Tom Hardy has officially entered the realm of hip-hop, dropping his first official rap album in collaboration with the underground collective Czarface. The project, released under his persona of Frankie Pulitzer, is a rich tapestry woven from his acting history, cinematic lore, and sharp lyrical wit, instantly positioning Hardy as a polymath of performance.
The 15-track album, titled Czarface Meets Frankie Pulitzer, is a full-length partnership with Czarface, a powerful collective featuring legendary figures like Wu-Tang Clan rapper Inspectah Deck and the duo 7L & Esoteric. The project is further bolstered by notable guest appearances from heavyweights including Busta Rhymes, Method Man, and the enigmatic El-P.
Beyond the beats, the album is a masterclass in allusion. Hardy skillfully weaves references to his storied acting career throughout the tracks. On one track, he dives into the world of dramatic tragedy, reciting the opening monologue from Shakespeare’s Richard III, channeling the distinct voice of Bane from The Dark Knight Rises.
The lyrical landscape shifts dramatically on tracks like Raw Forever, where Hardy conjures cinematic chaos. He references his time on set, mentioning bringing out the dead like a paramedic out of a cage directed by Marty, before invoking the image of Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin and Doctor Doom. This blend of high-stakes drama and street poetry sets the tone for the record.
Elsewhere, Hardy explores the darker side of fiction, drawing inspiration from Stephen King. On Mad Technology, he confronts themes of dread, referencing Stephen King’s Cujo and Misery, noting a stark contrast in his musings: “You shit-for-brain no-name lame, that bites like Cujo. I’d rather masturbate to Kathy Bates than hear you flow / And you know that misery, it loves company.”
Hardy’s journey into music is not new. His history with hip-hop dates back to a 1999 mixtape titled Falling On Your Arse In 1999, which surfaced online later in the year. While that project never materialized into a full album, it laid the groundwork for the kind of self-aware, layered storytelling that defines his current work.
The collaborative spirit continues across the industry. Czarface has previously teamed up with heavy hitters like Ghostface Killah and the late MF DOOM. Their joint effort, the 2021 album Super What?, earned three stars from NME, with reviewers noting how Esoteric’s voice subtly recalls Jay-Z, yet the flow remains distinctly their own.
When not immersed in music, Hardy is keeping busy on screen. He is set to return to the action as fixer Harry Da Souza in the second season of MobLand, premiering on September 18th.
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