Ty Dolla $ign turns Coachella 2025 set into tribute to imprisoned brother Big TC

Ty Dolla $ign dedicated most of his Coachella 2025 show to his incarcerated brother, Big TC. The salute was, without question, one of the most moving and discussed moments of the night. Highlights of the tribute included a live choir, a massive projection of Big TC's face, and a performance where Big TC sang live from prison over the phone, with Ty harmonizing with him on stage.

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The rest of the set retained the usual Coachella buzz, fan favorites, and the energetic festival atmosphere. But when the tribute arrived, it changed the dynamic. It was visceral and intensely personal. It was something that Coachella hadn't quite witnessed in that vein before. Ty Dolla $ign utilized that segment not only to pay tribute to his brother but also to draw attention to a narrative that he has been conveying through music for years.

Who is Big TC?

Big TC is Ty Dolla $ign's elder brother. He is famous for lending his vocals to Ty's 2015 debut album, Free TC. He is now in prison after being convicted of murder. Ty has always been fighting for his brother's innocence and has publicly spoken regarding the case many times.

Tribute highlights from Coachella set

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Ty Dolla $ign brought Big TC's presence on stage in several different ways during the 2025 show. The emotional highlight was Big TC singing live over a prison phone call, with his face projected on stage. Ty harmonized with him, backed by a gospel-style chorus.

The setlist included songs featuring Big TC’s vocals, such as “Miracle,” emphasizing his artistic presence and their bond. Images of incarceration and messages of justice served to underscore the point. The sequence took a few minutes and was one of the most unique segments in the set.

Performance balance: Tribute and festival energy

Ty also played some of his other popular hits, maintaining the overall energy aligned with the scale of Coachella's festival vibe. The songs not explicitly connected to Big TC's narrative were also featured, implying that the tribute, as intense as it was, was organized as one of the aspects of an overarching performance.

Ty Dolla $ign's history of advocacy

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Ty Dolla $ign's tribute during Coachella was not his initial public recognition of his brother's plight. His debut record, Free TC, was titled in celebration of Big TC and included his voice and prison recordings. Ty has since employed interviews and performances to keep retelling his brother's story. Coachella 2025, however, hosted one of the most viewed stages on which this tribute has been performed.

Current status of Big TC

As of April 2025, Big TC is still in jail. There have been no recent publicly available legal updates to the case. Ty Dolla $ign has continued to utilize his platform to keep focus on the case, although official legal sources have not made any announcements regarding status changes.

Ty Dolla $ign's Coachella 2025 set was memorable not only for the music but for a very personal tribute to his brother, Big TC.