Ty Dolla $ign duetted with his brother Big TC from prison at Coachella. The performance created one of the most poignant moments of the festival weekend, drawing emotional reactions from the audience.
The rapper’s sibling is currently serving a life sentence for murder at California’s Calipatria State Prison, but he made an appearance at the festival in California on April 18, on a screen behind his brother singing in a pre-recorded clip. This innovative approach to including his brother in the performance highlighted the technological possibilities of modern stage production.
The moment came midway through the hip-hop star’s set and featured the backing of a live choir. The addition of vocalists added a spiritual dimension to the already emotionally charged performance.
The set was also decked out like a prison yard with barbed wire and fencing. The elaborate stage design transformed the Coachella setting into a powerful visual representation of his brother’s reality.
Ty also brought out the likes of Wiz Khalifa, YG, Tyga, and Leon Thomas. These surprise guest appearances further elevated his set to one of the most talked-about performances of the festival.
TC was sent down in 2004, and in 2015, Ty released the album ‘Free TC’. The album became a critical platform for raising awareness about his brother’s case and showcased their musical collaboration despite physical separation.
He later admitted that his sibling being sent to prison felt like he’d died. This sentiment reflects the experiences of many Americans who have family members in the prison system, highlighting the emotional toll of incarceration on families.
“Have you ever had a family member die? It’s basically that. He’s basically dead,” he told Vice the following year. “It’s like hell, almost. A living hell. Luckily, you can reach out and you can go see him, but it’s like, he’s basically dead. It’s like if a family member dies. I want him back, man. He’s a f****** human man. Imagine if you had someone stripped from the family, man. That s*** is f***** up man.” His candid expression of grief has resonated with many facing similar situations.
“He’s a human. A smarta** human. A talented human. A human who could be on some whole other s*** right now,” Ty went on, defending his character. Big TC has developed his musical abilities while incarcerated, recording vocals over prison phones for several of his brother’s projects.
“A human who is mine but who is totally different than he was then. You grow everyday. You change everyday. The whole system is f***** up, too. I damn near say that if you’re going to put someone in for life, you might as well kill them. That’s a human, you know? The world is f***** up,” professing that he is a changed man since being incarcerated and hitting out at the criminal justice system in the state, he continued. His criticism reflects growing concerns about long-term incarceration and its effects.
The Coachella performance continues Ty Dolla $ign‘s tradition of incorporating his brother’s voice into his live shows and recordings, a practice he began shortly after TC’s incarceration. The brothers collaborate remotely, with TC recording vocals over prison phones that are later enhanced in studio settings.
Audience members described the performance as “haunting” and “powerful,” with many taking to social media to share their reactions. The moment quickly became one of the most discussed aspects of the Coachella festival, showcasing the power of music to transcend physical barriers.
Music critics have praised the artistic and emotional depth of including TC in the performance, noting how it transformed what could have been a standard festival set into a powerful statement about family bonds and the impact of incarceration. The performance has sparked conversations about prison reform and rehabilitation programs.
Since releasing “Free TC,” Ty Dolla $ign has become increasingly involved with prison reform advocacy, using his platform to address inequities in the criminal justice system. His continued inclusion of his brother in his art serves as both personal expression and political statement about the human cost of incarceration, giving voice to those who often remain unheard in society.
