Tigrayan artist Sideshow continues the momentum behind his latest album TIGRAY FUNK with the release of a striking new visual for “KILL FROM THE HEART.” Directed by Nicholas Stafford Briggs, the video expands on the album’s emotional and conceptual depth, arriving on the heels of widespread critical praise. The project has earned recognition from outlets including Pigeons & Planes, HotNewHipHop, The FADER, and Pitchfork, the latter awarding it Best New Album.
The release comes as Sideshow prepares to take his music on the road, recently announcing his P.A.I.N. US Tour, a limited run of headlining shows across Washington DC, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago this June. Earlier this year, he also joined Earl Sweatshirt on select dates of the European leg of the 3LWorldTour, further cementing his growing presence on the global stage.
At its core, TIGRAY FUNK is both expansive and deeply personal. True to Sideshow’s evolving discography, the album blends unpredictability with a clear sense of purpose, serving as a reflective tribute to the people of Tigray amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Framed through a parable in which animals divide themselves into predators and prey, the project navigates systemic injustice and imbalance with a sharp, often nihilistic lens, while still leaving space for moments of levity and resilience.
The album’s sonic palette is equally layered, featuring a tightly curated group of collaborators. Guest appearances from El Cousteau, Niontay, Kelow Latesha, and SEXWORKS are interwoven with production from a diverse roster including harrison of Surf Gang, Laron, Tony Seltzer, Popstar Benny, and Anysia Kym. Together, they help shape a sound that moves fluidly between experimental rap, abstract textures, and emotionally charged storytelling.
Having spent formative years between the DMV area and Los Angeles after relocating from Tigray, Ethiopia, Sideshow developed a style rooted in cultural duality. His approach to rap reflects a deep immersion in American music, film, and fashion, filtered through his own lived experience. Since emerging with a trio of EPs in 2020—Farley, Ginger Shot, and Asked Amlak to Wash My Hands—he has steadily refined his voice, leading into his 2021 debut album Wicked Man’s Reprise, which featured collaborators like MAVI, Na-Kel Smith, and Navy Blue.
Subsequent releases, including the 2023 collaborative project JAM with Alexander Spit, and 2024’s F.U.N. T.O.Y., have continued to showcase his growth. In its review, 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.”
With “KILL FROM THE HEART,” Sideshow adds another visual layer to the TIGRAY FUNK universe, reinforcing his position as one of the most compelling and uncompromising voices in contemporary rap—an artist unafraid to confront harsh realities while pushing the boundaries of his craft.
Sideshow: Instagram