Tigrayan rapper Sideshow returns with his highly anticipated full-length album TIGRAY FUNK, released today via 10k. Two years in the making, the project represents a period of intense growth and reflection for the artist, who used the longest hiatus of his career to absorb life experiences, refine his craft, and collaborate closely with a select group of like-minded artists. Guest appearances on the album include El Cousteau, Niontay, Kelow Latesha, and SEXWORKS. Earlier this week, Sideshow shared the album’s final pre-release track with a music video for “ALOVENARCOTIC,” directed by Jossh Flores. The album also features previously released singles “ALENA(ኣለና)PARADISE LOST” and “LIFES AS VIOLENT AS YOU MAKE IT.”
TIGRAY FUNK is expansive and unpredictable, reflecting Sideshow’s signature style while also serving as a thoughtful tribute to the people of Tigray amid ongoing conflict and genocide. Conceptually framed through a parable about animals dividing into predators and prey, the album tackles societal inequities and injustices with a sharp, nihilistic perspective, yet intersperses moments of levity meant to inspire resilience. Production credits include Surf Gang’s Harrison, Laron, Tony Seltzer, and Anysia Kym, creating a diverse sonic landscape that mirrors the album’s thematic range.
Born in Tigray, Ethiopia, Sideshow spent formative years in the DMV area and Los Angeles, immersing himself in American culture, music, and art. His dexterous rap style is rooted in those experiences, which shaped both his flow and storytelling approach. Sideshow’s early career included three EPs released in 2020—Farley, Ginger Shot, and Asked Amlak to Wash My Hands—followed by his first full-length project, Wicked Man’s Reprise (2021), featuring MAVI, Na-Kel Smith, and Navy Blue. Subsequent releases, including the 2023 collaborative album JAM with Alexander Spit and 2024’s F.U.N. T.O.Y., earned critical praise; Pitchfork noted, “There’s a thick air of inevitability in Sideshow’s work, the kind of malaise that comes from always—unfortunately—being proven right about the world.”
TIGRAY FUNK is now available across all platforms. Watch the video for “ALOVENARCOTIC” and experience Sideshow’s latest vision, which fuses personal growth, political awareness, and genre-defying artistry.
Sideshow: Instagram