Tom Hardy surprises fans by releasing debut rap album

Tom Hardy has traded film sets for the recording booth, releasing his debut rap album, Czarface Meets Frankie Pulitzer, on Friday, August 28.

The 48-year-old actor collaborated with the hip-hop supergroup Czarface, made up of producer 7L, rapper Esoteric and Wu-Tang Clan's Inspectah Deck, performing under the stage name Frankie Pulitzer, also styled as Face Puller. 

He previewed the project back in June with the single Brothers Grimm, and the finished album reportedly features guest appearances from Method Man and Busta Rhymes.

This isn't Hardy's first attempt at music, he recorded an unreleased rap mixtape back in 1999 under the name Tommy No. 1, which resurfaced online in 2018. 

The album's release comes amid a period of speculation about Hardy's future with Paramount+'s MobLand, following reports from industry newsletter Puck that he wouldn't be returning for the show's third season after clashes with producers during Season 2, though Variety later pushed back on that characterisation, reporting Hardy hadn't actually been let go and that the parties involved were working to resolve their differences. 

Hardy has also spoken candidly in recent interviews about the physical toll of years spent in demanding action roles, telling Esquire he's dealt with multiple knee surgeries, a herniated disc and sciatica, saying bluntly, "It's all falling to bits now, and it's not going to get better."