Vikram Singh Barn

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Early Life and Education

Vikram Singh Barn was born on August 2, 1995, in Guildford, Surrey, into a family of Indian descent. He spent his early childhood in Guildford before relocating with his family to Sheffield, South Yorkshire, at the age of eight. As the youngest of three children, Barn grew up in a household that prioritized academic achievement, a background that heavily influenced his early educational trajectory.

Barn attended Silverdale School in Sheffield for his secondary education, where he demonstrated significant academic aptitude. In August 2011, he achieved exceptional results in his General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations, securing 12 A* grades. This performance placed him among the highest-achieving students in his cohort.

Following this success, he continued his studies at the same institution's sixth form, pursuing A-Levels in mathematics, further mathematics, and sciences.

By 2013, Barn had completed his A-Levels with high marks, reportedly achieving one A* and three A grades. His academic record earned him a conditional offer to study Natural Sciences at the prestigious University College London (UCL).

yet, during his final years of school, Barn had already established a significant presence on YouTube, having launched his channel in 2010 to share gameplay footage of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

Faced with the choice between a traditional academic route and a burgeoning career in digital media, Barn made the pivotal decision to decline his university offer to pursue content creation full-time.

Barn has frequently addressed the cultural and familial pressure associated with this decision, noting that abandoning a degree at a top-tier university for an unstable internet career was initially met with skepticism. even with this, he committed fully to his channel, a move that coincided with the formation of the Sidemen in late 2013.

While rumors frequently circulated regarding his siblings, specifically falsely identifying fellow creator Lewis Redman as his brother, Barn has clarified that he has two older brothers who do not maintain public profiles.

Academic Timeline

Year	Institution	Level	Achievement
2006, 2011	Silverdale School	GCSE	12 A* Grades
2011, 2013	Silverdale Sixth Form	A-Level	1 A*, 3 A Grades (Reported)
2013	University College London	Undergraduate Offer	Natural Sciences (Declined)

YouTube Career Origins

Vikram Singh Barn's entry into digital content creation began on April 12, 2010, when he registered his primary YouTube channel, Vikkstar123. Initially, this venture served as a hobby alongside his rigorous academic schedule at Silverdale School.

Unlike contemporaries who sought immediate fame, Barn's early uploads were driven by a competitive desire to outperform school friends who were also experimenting with video capture. His initial content focused exclusively on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, specifically targeting a niche audience interested in instructional gameplay.

These early videos featured "knife throw" tutorials and cross-map elimination spots, a format that allowed him to demonstrate technical precision rather than personality-driven entertainment.

By 2011, Barn's content strategy evolved from short clips to full-match commentaries, a shift that necessitated a more consistent production schedule. even with the platform's absence of monetization options at the time, he maintained a daily upload frequency.

In a 2015 interview with Game Informer, Barn revealed that his channel amassed approximately 360, 000 subscribers within its three years, a period characterized by slow steady growth compared to the viral spikes seen in later years.

During this foundational era, he balanced content creation with his A-Level studies, a dual focus that frequently required him to adhere to a strict time-management regimen.

The trajectory of Barn's career shifted significantly with the release of Minecraft, a sandbox game that allowed for greater creative freedom and collaboration. Recognizing the saturation of the Call of Duty market, he launched a secondary channel, Vikkstar123HD, on June 1, 2012.

This channel became the home for his Minecraft content, which quickly outpaced his primary channel daily viewership. The pivot proved lucrative; by April 2015, Barn's combined subscriber count across channels had surpassed three million. His method to Minecraft was analytical and community-focused, leading to the creation of the "How to Minecraft" series.

This Survival Multiplayer (SMP) series, particularly its third season which launched in December 2015, became a of his early success, generating millions of views and establishing him as a leading figure in the gaming community.

Table 2. 1: Early Channel Statistics and Milestones (Verified 2015-2019 Data)

Metric	Details	Context / Source Date
Primary Channel Launch	April 12, 2010	Focused on Call of Duty tutorials.
Secondary Channel Launch	June 1, 2012	Dedicated to Minecraft content.
Subscriber Milestone	3, 000, 000+	Combined count verified in April 2015 interview.
Total Views (2016)	~5. 7 Billion	Retrospective analytic shared in Nov 2016 video.
Content Volume	3, 000+ Videos	Minecraft videos alone by June 2019.

A defining moment in Barn's transition from solo creator to industry powerhouse was his decision to decline a university education. even with holding an offer to study Natural Sciences at University College London (UCL) after achieving stellar A-Level results, Barn deferred his entry to pursue YouTube full-time.

In a 2024 retrospective, he noted that by the time his deferral period ended, his channel's growth had made the decision to withdraw from academia obvious. This period also coincided with his integration into the Sidemen, a British YouTube shared formed on October 19, 2013.

Barn joined the group shortly after its inception, having met co-founder JJ Olatunji (KSI) at a gaming convention in 2011.

The formation of the Sidemen marked a shift from gameplay commentary to collaborative entertainment. Barn moved into the "Sidemen House" in February 2014, a decision that facilitated daily collaboration and cross-pollination of audiences.

While his individual channels continued to focus on gaming technicality, specifically Minecraft factions and hunger games, his presence in Sidemen videos introduced him to a broader demographic interested in lifestyle content, challenges, and comedy.

By 2016, Barn had diversified his portfolio, managing a daily upload schedule on his own channels while contributing to the Sidemen's rapidly growing brand.

The financial viability of his early career was heavily by the Minecraft server economy. Beyond ad revenue, Barn capitalized on the game's multiplayer ecosystem. He later revealed that his involvement in running Minecraft servers generated approximately £2 million, a figure that underscored the business acumen behind his content strategy.

This revenue stream provided the financial stability required to invest in better equipment and production quality, separating him from hobbyist creators.

By late 2015, Barn had established himself not just as a player, as a central node in the Minecraft content network, frequently collaborating with other high-profile creators in "The Pack," a group of Minecraft YouTubers who cross-promoted each other's channels to maximize viewership.

Barn's origins are distinct for their reliance on high-volume, skill-based content rather than personality-driven vlogging, which became the norm for of his peers. His ability to maintain a dual audience, Call of Duty fans for technical gameplay and Minecraft viewers for long-form survival series, created a resilient viewership base.

This foundation allowed him to survive the fluctuating trends of YouTube's algorithm between 2013 and 2016, a period where single-game creators lost relevance. By the end of 2016, his status was cemented, with his channels accumulating billions of lifetime views and his role in the Sidemen securing his place in the upper echelon of UK digital media.

The Sidemen

Vikram Singh Barn is a founding member of the Sidemen, a British YouTube shared that evolved from a group of gaming friends into a multimedia entertainment empire between 2015 and 2025.

Holding an equal one-seventh ownership stake in the group's holding company, Sidemen Entertainment Limited, Barn has played a central role in diversifying the brand beyond digital content into retail, hospitality, and subscription services.

His specific contributions frequently use his reputation for strategic thinking and technical proficiency, balancing the group's chaotic entertainment style with business acumen.

From 2016 to 2019, Barn resided in the second "Sidemen House" in Bromley, a period that defined the group's transition from individual gameplay commentaries to high-production collaborative content. During this time, the group formalized their "Sidemen Sunday" schedule, a weekly upload strategy that consistently generated tens of millions of views per video.

Barn moved out of the shared residence in late 2018 remained integral to the group's operations. By 2024, the shared's main channel had surpassed 21 million subscribers, with Barn serving as a director for the company since his appointment in December 2019.

Content Expansion and Media Rights

Between 2020 and 2025, the Sidemen shifted their focus toward television-grade formats. In February 2024, the group released The Sidemen Story, a documentary feature on Netflix that chronicled their decade-long rise. This was followed by the launch of Inside in June 2024, a reality competition series reminiscent of Big Brother.

The debut episode of Inside attracted over 14 million views on YouTube, prompting Netflix to acquire the rights for a second season and a US adaptation in November 2024. Barn featured prominently in these productions, frequently acting as a stabilizing figure amidst the high- challenges.

Business Ventures

Barn and his co-founders aggressively expanded their portfolio into physical goods and services. The group's merchandise arm, Sidemen Clothing, reported annual revenues between £5 million and £7 million by the 2024-2025 financial period. In 2021, they launched XIX Vodka and a fried chicken restaurant chain, Sides.

Barn publicly advocated for these ventures, notably celebrating XIX Vodka's retail listing in Morrisons in 2022 as a milestone for creator-led brands. In 2024, the group introduced Best Cereal, further widening their consumer product range.

These ventures operate under an equal-split equity model, ensuring all seven members retain control over the brand's direction.

Charity Football Matches

A of the Sidemen's legacy is their series of charity football matches, which grew exponentially in and revenue between 2016 and 2025. Barn, playing as a defender for Sidemen FC, participated in every major iteration. The events evolved from stadium-sized matches to selling out the UK's largest venues.

The 2025 match at Wembley Stadium marked a historic peak, raising over £4. 7 million for charities including BBC Children in Need and Bright Side.

Sidemen Charity Match Statistics (2016, 2025)

Year	Venue	Opponent	Outcome	Funds Raised
2016	St Mary's Stadium	YouTube Allstars	Won (7, 2)	£110, 000+
2017	The Valley	YouTube Allstars	Won (2, 0)	£210, 000+
2018	The Valley	YouTube Allstars	Won (7, 1)	£65, 000+
2022	The Valley	YouTube Allstars	Won (8, 7)	£1, 000, 000+
2023	London Stadium	YouTube Allstars	Won (8, 5)	£2, 400, 000+
2025	Wembley Stadium	YouTube Allstars	Lost	£4, 733, 004

The 2025 event at Wembley sold out all 90, 000 tickets in under three hours, cementing the group's status as a major live-event draw. While the Sidemen lost the 2025 match, breaking their winning streak, the event set a new record for creator-led philanthropy.

Barn's involvement in these matches extended beyond the pitch, as he utilized his individual platform to drive donations and awareness for the selected charities.

The Pack and Minecraft Community

Between 2015 and 2025, Vikram Singh Barn's influence within the Minecraft community extended beyond solo gameplay, defined largely by his leadership in the content creator shared known as "The Pack" and his competitive dominance in tournaments.

The Pack, consisting of Barn, Preston Arsement (PrestonPlayz), Lachlan Power, Jerome Aceti (JeromeASF), Mitch Hughes (TheBajanCanadian), and Robert Latsky (MrWoofless), operated as a loose highly collaborative network. While the group formed around 2013, their activities peaked and subsequently evolved significantly during the 2015, 2016 period.

The shared focused on cross-channel promotion through multiplayer challenges, "Hunger Games" simulations, and modded survival series.

By late 2015, the group's collaborative output began to decelerate as individual members pivoted toward emerging platforms and genres, specifically the battle royale explosion of 2017. Even with this shift, Barn maintained a tether to the Minecraft audience through his flagship series, "How to Minecraft" (HTM).

Season 2, which concluded in mid-2015, and Season 3, launching in December 2015, served as central hubs for the group's remaining interactions. These series featured custom-coded plugins and role-playing elements that drove millions of views per episode.

Barn revived the concept in 2019 with "How to Minecraft" Season 6, capitalizing on a wave of nostalgia to reunite several original members on a private server, demonstrating the enduring commercial viability of the group's years after their informal dissolution.

Key Minecraft Series and Events (2015, 2025)

Year	Series / Event	Role / Outcome	Key Collaborators
2015	How to Minecraft (Season 3)	Host / Participant	The Pack, PeteZahHutt, Ali-A
2019	MC Championship (MCC) 3	Winner (1st Place)	PeteZahHutt, Smajor1995, Shubble
2019	How to Minecraft (Season 6)	Host	Lachlan, JeromeASF, MrWoofless
2020	Dream SMP	Member (Boomerville)	LazarBeam, Dream, TommyInnit
2023	MC Championship (MCC) 34	Participant (Pink Parrots)	PrestonPlayz, JeromeASF, BajanCanadian

Barn's involvement in the competitive Minecraft scene surged with the inception of the MC Championship (MCC) in November 2019. As one of the original 40 competitors, he established an early reputation for high-level mechanical skill and strategic leadership.

Competing primarily alongside PeteZahHutt, Barn's team, the Orange Ocelots, secured a decisive victory in MCC 3 in March 2020. His performance statistics during this era were notable; he consistently placed in the top individual rankings, maintaining a "Sprinter" archetype known for rapid movement and parkour proficiency.

He participated in MCC 1 through MCC 5 consecutively, reaching the "Dodgebolt" finale in four out of those five events, a record that solidified his status as a top-tier competitor before his temporary departure from the tournament circuit in mid-2020 to focus on Call of Duty: Warzone.

In November 2020, Barn briefly integrated into the "Dream SMP," a role-playing server that dominated YouTube gaming culture at the time.

Joining on November 23, 2020, alongside fellow creator LazarBeam, he founded the faction "Boomerville." Although his tenure on the server was short-lived compared to the server's core cast, his arrival bridged the gap between the "old guard" of Minecraft YouTubers (The Pack era) and the new generation of streamers.

His interactions with creators like TommyInnit generated significant viewership spikes, highlighting his ability to adapt to shifting content meta-narratives.

The Pack formally attempted a resurgence in 2023. On June 30, 2023, the group launched a dedicated collaborative YouTube channel, simply titled "The Pack," promising weekly uploads.

This reunion coincided with their shared participation in MCC 34 in September 2023, where Barn, Preston, Jerome, and BajanCanadian competed as the "Pink Parrots." While the team placed 10th, the event marked a significant moment of fan service, officially reuniting the core lineup in a competitive setting for the time in years.

Beyond these reunions, Barn continued to produce Minecraft content sporadically, including a 2024 Pixelmon series titled "Catch 'Em All!" featuring battles against JeromeASF, proving that even with his diversification into other genres, his foundational connection to the Minecraft ecosystem remained active.

Call of Duty: Warzone and Streaming Dominance

Following the March 2020 release of Call of Duty: Warzone, Vikram Singh Barn transitioned his primary content focus from Minecraft to the battle royale genre, rapidly establishing himself as a premier competitor and tournament organizer.

This pivot coincided with a surge in global streaming viewership, during which Barn's channel became a central hub for high-level Warzone gameplay. His dominance was characterized by a blend of mechanical skill and strategic positioning, leading to a series of high-profile tournament victories that cemented his status within the competitive community.

In the early months of the game's lifecycle, Barn achieved a "three-peat" victory in the Warzone Wednesdays tournament series. He secured -place finishes in Week 6 (April 29, 2020), Week 7 (May 6, 2020), and Week 8 (May 12, 2020), partnering with fellow streamer Itz_WarsZ for the initial win.

These victories were not content exhibitions high- competitions featuring professional players and top-tier streamers, earning him over $30, 000 in prize money during this three-week span alone.

World Record and Competitive Milestones

On May 23, 2020, Barn set a world record in the Quads category, a feat that underscored his ability to compete alongside professional Call of Duty League (CDL) athletes. Teaming with Atlanta FaZe players Cellium, Priestahh, and aBeZy, the squad eliminated 138 opponents in a single match.

The team utilized a "split-dropping" strategy, dividing into two pairs to maximize engagements across the map of Verdansk before regrouping for the final circle. This performance surpassed the previous record of 121 kills and remained a benchmark for high-kill gameplay for months.

Major Warzone Tournament Placements (2020, 2021)

Date	Tournament	Placement	Teammate(s)	Prize (USD)
April 29, 2020	Warzone Wednesday Week 6	1st	Itz_WarsZ	$20, 000 (Split)
May 6, 2020	Warzone Wednesday Week 7	1st	Itz_WarsZ	$20, 000 (Split)
May 12, 2020	Warzone Wednesday Week 8	1st	Itz_WarsZ	$20, 000 (Split)
October 22, 2020	Vikkstar's Warzone Showdown Finals	2nd	Rated	$12, 500

Vikkstar's Warzone Showdown

Leveraging his influence, Barn partnered with Activision to host Vikkstar's Warzone Showdown, a nine-week tournament series featuring a total prize pool of $210, 000. The series, which ran from August to October 2020, invited top content creators and CDL professionals to compete in a duo kill-race format.

The opening week of the tournament drew a peak viewership of 278, 000 concurrent viewers across all channels, demonstrating the massive audience appetite for organized Warzone competition.

The Grand Finals, held on October 22, 2020, saw Barn and his duo partner Rated finish in second place, securing $12, 500. The tournament was won by the duo of HusKerrs and AverageJoeWo, who claimed the $30, 000 top prize. This event series not only provided significant financial opportunities for the community also solidified Barn's role as a central pillar of the Call of Duty esports ecosystem.

CDL Ownership and Anti-Cheat Advocacy

On November 12, 2020, Barn formalized his commitment to the professional scene by becoming a co-owner of the London Royal Ravens, a franchise in the Call of Duty League. This move made him one of the content creators to hold an ownership stake in a major esports franchise.

His role involved co-streaming matches, hosting community events, and bridging the gap between the casual player base and professional competition. Even after the franchise rebranded to the Carolina Royal Ravens ahead of the 2024 season, Barn retained his association with the organization's parent company, ReKTGlobal.

even with his commercial success, Barn became a vocal critic of the game's technical integrity. On January 31, 2021, he announced his resignation from Warzone content creation, citing the rampant proliferation of cheaters.

In a video statement, he exposed a player live-streaming hacks on Facebook Gaming with impunity, declaring the game to be in "the worst state it's ever been." His public boycott forced a response from Activision, and he returned to the game on February 12, 2021, after establishing a direct line of communication with the developers to address anti-cheat measures.

This intervention is frequently credited with accelerating the development of the Ricochet anti-cheat system.

London Royal Ravens and Esports Ownership

On November 12, 2020, Vikram Singh Barn formally entered the professional esports industry as a co-owner of the London Royal Ravens, a franchise in the Call of Duty League (CDL). The deal was facilitated by ReKTGlobal, the parent company of the franchise, shortly after the organization secured $35 million in debt capital funding from Summit Partners.

Barn's entry marked a strategic shift for the organization, which sought to use his massive audience to the gap between casual content consumption and professional competitive play. Unlike traditional sponsorship agreements, this equity-based partnership granted Barn a stake in the team's operations, branding, and content strategy.

Barn's involvement extended beyond the role of a figurehead. He immediately integrated the Royal Ravens brand into his existing content ecosystem, organizing high-profile tournaments such as "Vikkstar's Warzone Showdown." These events featured prize pools exceeding $210, 000 and attracted viewership numbers that frequently outpaced official league matches.

His tenure as co-owner coincided with a period of corporate consolidation; in July 2022, metaverse innovation company Infinite Reality acquired ReKTGlobal in an all-stock transaction valued at $470 million. This acquisition folded the Royal Ravens and Barn's associated equity into a conglomerate valued at approximately $2. 47 billion at the time of closing.

The franchise faced significant operational blocks as the only European team in a North American-centric league. Visa complications, travel logistics, and server latency problem frequently plagued the team's competitive viability.

On September 5, 2023, the organization announced it would relinquish its United Kingdom branding and relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina. The team was subsequently renamed the Carolina Royal Ravens for the 2024 season. Barn remained attached to the franchise during this transition, although the move ended the CDL's physical presence in Europe.

Competitive Performance (2020, 2025)

Under Barn's co-ownership, the team's performance fluctuated heavily. While the squad secured a fourth-place finish in the 2020 Championship, prior to his official joining, subsequent seasons saw mixed results.

The 2022 season marked a high point with a fourth-place finish in the regular season standings, the team struggled to convert this into tournament victories. By 2023, the roster finished last in the league standings, precipitating the decision to relocate and rebuild in the United States.

London/Carolina Royal Ravens Season Results (2020, 2024)

Season	Team Name	Regular Season Rank	Championship Placement	Earnings (Approx.)
2020	London Royal Ravens	6th	4th	$500, 000+
2021	London Royal Ravens	10th	Did not qualify	$10, 000
2022	London Royal Ravens	4th	7th, 8th	$130, 000
2023	London Royal Ravens	12th	Did not qualify	$10, 000
2024	Carolina Royal Ravens	11th	Did not qualify	$20, 000

Barn's ownership stake placed him among a small group of content creators, including Hector "H3CZ" Rodriguez and Matthew "Nadeshot" Haag, who successfully transitioned into team ownership. yet, unlike 100 Thieves or OpTic Gaming, where the creators served as primary founders, Barn's role was that of a strategic partner within a larger corporate structure.

This distinction allowed him to maintain his focus on Sidemen content and individual streaming while Infinite Reality managed the day-to-day logistics of the franchise. even with the team's competitive struggles and relocation, Barn's association provided the CDL with essential exposure to the UK market during its formative years.

Music Career and DJing

In 2023, Barn formally transitioned from content creation to a professional career in electronic dance music (EDM) and music production. While he had previously featured on the Sidemen's novelty track "Christmas Drillings" (2022), his solo venture focused on commercial dance-pop and progressive house.

He a desire to use his platform to pursue a genuine passion for DJing, distinguishing this era from his earlier YouTube-centric musical parodies.

Barn released his debut commercial single, "Better Off (Alone, Pt. III)," on September 28, 2023.

A collaboration with Norwegian DJ Alan Walker and the Dutch electronic group Dash Berlin, the track reimagined the 1999 Eurodance hit "Better Off Alone." The single achieved commercial success, peaking at number 23 on the UK Official Singles Chart and reaching number 19 on the Official Singles Downloads Chart.

Following this debut, Barn released "Humans" on December 1, 2023, featuring Maltese singer Shaun Farrugia. The track performed exceptionally well in Farrugia's home country, reaching number one on the Maltese charts.

Throughout 2024 and 2025, Barn expanded his discography through partnerships with established electronic labels. On April 25, 2024, he made his debut on the independent label Monstercat with the single "Know Me Better," a collaboration with Australian rapper Masked Wolf and Grime artist Jme. This was followed by "Have It All" in August 2024.

His production credits grew to include "Where Do I Go" with Nicky Romero and a high-profile collaboration with Steve Aoki titled "All This Time" (featuring Ekko), which appeared on Aoki's tenth studio album, HiROQUEST 3: Paragon, released in June 2025.

Barn's live performance schedule escalated alongside his releases. He secured headline residencies at the Ministry of Sound in London, performing sold-out sets at events such as the "Freshers Jam" in September 2023 and January 2024.

His touring footprint expanded internationally when he supported Alan Walker on the India leg of his "Walker World Tour" in October 2024, playing shows in cities including Pune and Mumbai.

In 2025, Barn achieved significant milestones in the festival circuit. He performed at Tomorrowland in Belgium during Weekend 2, playing the House of Fortune stage. In September 2025, he performed a back-to-back set with Afrojack at the iMapp Bucharest event in Constitution Square, which coincided with the Gumball 3000 rally finale.

also, he headlined a show at the fabric nightclub in London on June 12, 2025, and embarked on his debut headline UK tour in April 2025, visiting venues such as XOYO Birmingham and the O2 Ritz in Manchester.

Selected Discography

Year	Title	Collaborators	Label
2023	Better Off (Alone, Pt. III)	Alan Walker, Dash Berlin	MER
2023	Humans	Shaun Farrugia	Funfair Records
2024	Know Me Better	Masked Wolf, Jme	Monstercat
2024	Have It All	RetroVision, DYSON	Monstercat
2024	Where Do I Go	Nicky Romero, Oaks	Protocol Recordings
2025	All This Time	Steve Aoki, Ekko	Dim Mak

Business Ventures and Investments

Vikram Singh Barn has systematically diversified his portfolio beyond digital content creation, establishing himself as a central figure in the commercial expansion of the Sidemen brand and an active investor in the wider startup ecosystem.

His business activities operate primarily through two channels: shared ventures under the Sidemen umbrella and independent investments in esports and technology. By early 2026, Barn held directorships in multiple active companies, including Sidemen Entertainment Limited, 123 Productions Limited, and the venture capital firm Upside VC.

The commercial backbone of Barn's portfolio is the Sidemen business empire, which generated a combined valuation exceeding £125 million by 2025. Sidemen Clothing, the group's merchandise arm, reported annual revenues between £5 million and £7 million for the 2024-2025 financial period.

The brand expanded its physical footprint with a store in the Bluewater Shopping Centre in July 2023 and a second location in the Birmingham Bullring in October 2024. Barn and his co-founders maintain an equal-split equity structure in these entities, ensuring aligned incentives across their retail, hospitality, and media operations.

Hospitality and FMCG Expansion

In 2021, Barn co-founded the fried chicken restaurant chain Sides. Initially a delivery-only model, the business pivoted to physical locations and rapid expansion. By July 2024, Sides surpassed £1 million in weekly revenue.

As of February 2026, the chain operated five permanent UK locations in London, Manchester, Kent, Essex, and Birmingham, alongside an international outlet in Singapore. The company announced confirmed plans in early 2026 to open ten additional sites within the calendar year, targeting Glasgow, Cardiff, and Liverpool.

Barn also holds a significant stake in XIX Vodka, a premium spirits brand launched by the group in 2021. The brand secured retail distribution deals with major UK supermarkets including Tesco and Iceland. In November 2025, XIX Vodka partnered with distributor Red Star Brands to accelerate its on-trade presence.

Industry data from Nielsen IQ placed XIX Vodka among the top ten vodka brands in the UK by volume sales in late 2025, driven by a double-digit growth rate that outperformed the wider spirits category.

Venture Capital and Technology

Barn formalized his investment activities in May 2025 with the launch of Upside VC, a venture capital fund targeting early-stage consumer technology startups. The fund set a target corpus of $25 million and operates with a thesis focused on the creator economy and direct-to-consumer products.

Barn serves as a director alongside his Sidemen colleagues and General Partner Jamie Elliott. By March 2026, Upside VC had deployed capital into twelve companies, with check sizes ranging from £100, 000 to £500, 000.

Notable portfolio companies include the social calendar application Howbout, the plastic-free razor brand Nimbi, and the adtech platform POCKLA.

Table 8. 1: Key Business Entities and Investments (2020, 2026)

Entity	Role	Sector	Key Metric / Status
Sidemen Entertainment Ltd	Director / Co-Owner	Media & Production	Parent company for group operations
Sides (Restaurant)	Co-Founder	Hospitality	£1m+ weekly revenue (July 2024)
XIX Vodka	Co-Founder	FMCG / Spirits	Top 10 UK Vodka Brand (2025)
London Royal Ravens	Co-Owner	Esports	Acquired stake in Nov 2020
Upside VC	Partner	Venture Capital	12 investments made by Q1 2026
123 Productions Ltd	Director	Media	Incorporated August 2023

Esports Ownership

In November 2020, Barn acquired a co-ownership stake in the London Royal Ravens, a franchise in the Call of Duty League. The deal was facilitated by ReKTGlobal, the parent company of the franchise, following a $35 million funding round. This investment made Barn one of the content creators to hold equity in a major professional esports team.

His role involves strategic direction for the team's content output and merchandise lines, directly linking his personal audience with the franchise's commercial operations.

Barn manages his individual commercial rights and touring activities through separate entities. Filings with Companies House confirm he was appointed director of 123 Productions Limited and 123 Touring Limited in August 2023. These companies handle revenue streams distinct from the shared Sidemen ventures, including his solo brand partnerships and digital media income.

Philanthropy and Charity Events

Vikram Singh Barn has consistently used his platform to support charitable causes, primarily through large- streaming events, gaming tournaments, and the Sidemen's annual football matches. His philanthropic work focuses on youth support, cancer research, and veteran employment, frequently leveraging his digital influence to mobilize millions of donations.

Sidemen Charity Football Matches

Barn is a core organizer and participant in the Sidemen Charity Match, an event that has grown from a small stadium fixture to a massive fundraiser at Wembley Stadium. Since its inception in 2016, the event has raised millions of pounds for various organizations, including the Teenage Cancer Trust, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), and Rays of Sunshine.

In March 2025, the Sidemen Charity Match was held at Wembley Stadium for the time, selling out 90, 000 tickets. The event raised a record-breaking £4. 7 million, which was distributed among BBC Children in Need, Bright Side, and M7 Education. This surpassed the previous record set in 2023 at the London Stadium, where the group raised over £2. 4 million.

Barn has played in every iteration of the match, frequently featuring as a midfielder or defender for Sidemen FC.

Sidemen Charity Match Fundraising History (2016, 2025)

Year	Venue	Amount Raised	Key Beneficiaries
2016	St Mary's Stadium, Southampton	£110, 000+	Saints Foundation
2017	The Valley, London	£210, 000	NSPCC, Charlton Athletic Community Trust
2018	The Valley, London	£65, 000+	YoungMinds, Charlton Athletic Community Trust
2022	The Valley, London	£1, 000, 000+	Teenage Cancer Trust, CALM, Rays of Sunshine
2023	London Stadium, London	£2, 400, 000+	Teenage Cancer Trust, CALM, Rays of Sunshine
2025	Wembley Stadium, London	£4, 700, 000+	BBC Children in Need, Bright Side, M7 Education

Gaming Tournaments and Digital Fundraising

Beyond football, Barn has organized significant digital fundraisers through the Call of Duty: Warzone ecosystem. In May 2020, he hosted the "Warzone Charity Tournament," which featured high-profile content creators and professional players.

The event raised over $100, 000 for the Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit organization that helps unemployed veterans find high-quality careers. Barn's direct involvement in the tournament structure and his personal donations were central to the event's success.

Later in 2020, Barn launched "Vikkstar's Warzone Showdown," a nine-week tournament series with a prize pool of $210, 000 funded by Activision. While the prize money was primarily for competitors, the tournament series generated significant viewership revenue and awareness for charitable initiatives.

In June 2020, Barn and his teammate won $20, 000 in the "Code Red" tournament, which they donated entirely to charity. He repeated this feat in September 2020, securing another $20, 000 donation through competitive play.

Ambassadorships and Other Contributions

Barn serves as an ambassador for Rays of Sunshine, a charity that grants wishes to seriously ill children across the United Kingdom. His involvement goes beyond financial contributions; he frequently participates in wish-granting events.

In July 2023, Barn and the other Sidemen members hosted a "VIP Day" at Hamleys toy store in London for seven families supported by the charity. The families were given exclusive access to the store, £1, 000 spending money each, and a private meet-and-greet with the group.

In September 2017, Barn participated in "Game4Grenfell," a charity football match hosted at Loftus Road to raise funds for the survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire. He played alongside celebrities and former professional footballers, helping to raise money for the London Community Foundation.

His participation helped the gap between traditional media celebrities and the digital creator space, bringing a younger demographic of donors to the cause.

Barn also supports M7 Education, a charity founded by fellow Sidemen member Simon Minter. The organization, which funds educational trips for students in schools with limited budgets, was a beneficiary of the 2025 Sidemen Charity Match, receiving 7% of the net proceeds.

Personal Life

Vikram Singh Barn resides in London, where he manages his professional commitments alongside his personal life. While he has maintained a degree of privacy regarding his family, verified reports confirm he is the youngest of three siblings, with an older brother named Lewis Singh Barn. Barn's domestic life includes the ownership of a Cockapoo named Ralph, who frequently appears on his social media platforms.

Relationships and Marriage

Barn began a relationship with Ellie Harlow in 2019, though the couple kept their partnership largely out of the public eye during the initial stages. They announced their engagement in December 2021, following a proposal at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

The couple married in September 2023 in a dual-ceremony celebration held in Malta, which incorporated both traditional Western nuptials and an Indian wedding ceremony to honor Barn's heritage. As of late 2024, Barn does not have children, with fellow Sidemen member Ethan Payne being the only member of the shared to have fathered a child at that time.

Health and Fitness

In March 2024, Barn publicly disclosed that he suffers from Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. He revealed the diagnosis during a Sidemen travel challenge video, explaining that the condition affects his immune system and gut health, occasionally impacting his ability to travel or participate in strenuous activities.

This admission followed years of speculation regarding his dietary habits and occasional absences from group events.

Prior to this diagnosis, Barn underwent a significant physical transformation. In 2018, he suffered a severe collarbone fracture during a skiing accident, which required surgery and the insertion of metal fixation plates.

Following his recovery, he committed to a fitness regimen in 2019, documenting a weight gain journey where he increased his muscle mass significantly, moving from approximately 55 kg to over 65 kg through a structured diet and weightlifting program.

Assets and Interests

Barn has demonstrated a keen interest in high-performance automobiles. His vehicle was a 2011 Volkswagen Scirocco, purchased shortly after obtaining his driving license. As his career earnings grew, he expanded his collection to include an Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

In 2016, he acquired a Tesla Model S, citing an interest in electric vehicle technology and the car's futuristic features. Beyond automotive interests, Barn is an investor in the London Royal Ravens, a Call of Duty League e-sports team, reflecting his enduring connection to the gaming industry.

Key Personal Milestones (2015, 2025)

Year	Event	Details
2018	Injury	Fractured collarbone during a skiing accident; required surgery.
2019	Relationship	Began dating Ellie Harlow.
2019	Fitness	Completed a documented 1-year body transformation.
2021	Engagement	Proposed to Ellie Harlow at the Burj Al Arab, Dubai.
2023	Marriage	Married Ellie Harlow in Malta (September).
2024	Health Diagnosis	Publicly revealed diagnosis of Crohn's disease.

Filmography and Television Appearances

Vikram Singh Barn has successfully transitioned from digital content creation to mainstream television and streaming platforms, leveraging his online influence to secure roles in high-profile productions.

Between 2015 and 2025, his filmography expanded beyond YouTube uploads to include premium documentaries, reality competition series, and appearances on major British broadcast networks. His work in this period reflects a strategic diversification of his personal brand, moving from gaming commentary to general entertainment and hosting.

Documentaries and Streaming Originals

Barn's most significant streaming appearance occurred with the release of The Sidemen Story on February 14, 2024. Directed by Luke Hyams, this feature-length documentary was distributed by Netflix and provided an examination of the group's decade-long rise to prominence.

Barn featured as a central cast member, offering personal insights into the formation of the shared and the challenges of maintaining digital relevance.

Prior to this, Barn starred in The Sidemen Show, a YouTube Premium original series that premiered on June 18, 2018. The seven-episode reality production saw Barn and his co-stars undertake high-budget challenges alongside celebrity guests such as Steve-O and Bear Grylls.

In 2024, Barn served as a host for the reality web series Inside, a survival-style competition produced by Sidemen Entertainment that featured various social media personalities.

He also made appearances in biographical documentaries focused on his peers, including How to Be Behzinga (2020), which chronicled Ethan Payne's fitness journey, and KSI: In Real Life (2023), an Amazon Prime Video release that documented the career of Olajide Olatunji.

Television Broadcast Appearances

Barn has appeared on flagship programs for the BBC, marking his acceptance into traditional British media. On November 28, 2020, he appeared as a celebrity expert on the premiere episode of Michael McIntyre's The Wheel on BBC One.

Specializing in the "Gaming" category, he successfully assisted a contestant in answering a question about the singer Lulu, contributing to a £3, 000 prize win. During the episode, he also correctly answered a tie-breaker question regarding the terminal velocity of raindrops.

In 2023, Barn participated in the BBC revival of The Weakest Link, hosted by Romesh Ranganathan. He competed against other entertainers in the general knowledge quiz, further establishing his presence on terrestrial television.

Filmography Table (2015, 2025)

Year	Title	Role	Platform/Network	Notes
2018	The Sidemen Show	Main Cast	YouTube Premium	7 Episodes; Reality Challenge Series
2020	How to Be Behzinga	Himself	YouTube Originals	Documentary Appearance
2020	Michael McIntyre's The Wheel	Celebrity Expert	BBC One	Series 1, Episode 1 (Gaming Expert)
2023	KSI: In Real Life	Himself	Amazon Prime Video	Documentary Cameo
2023	The Weakest Link	Contestant	BBC One	Celebrity Special
2024	The Sidemen Story	Main Cast	Netflix	Feature Documentary
2024	Inside	Host	YouTube	Reality Competition Series

Broadcast Reach Analysis

The following chart illustrates the platform reach for Barn's major appearances, contrasting the global subscriber base of his digital projects with the domestic viewership of his traditional television spots.

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Discography

Vikram Singh Barn's transition from digital content creation to the music industry represents a significant evolution in his career trajectory. While his early musical output consisted primarily of parodies and comedic tracks associated with his YouTube persona, Barn later cultivated a professional career as an electronic dance music (EDM) producer and DJ.

His pivot to mainstream music was marked by high-profile collaborations with established artists such as Alan Walker, Dash Berlin, and Afrojack, as well as performances at major international festivals including Tomorrowland and EDC Orlando.

Early Ventures and Comedy Music

Barn's initial foray into music recording occurred through the medium of "Minecraft" parodies, a popular subgenre of YouTube content during the early 2010s. These productions, frequently featuring rewritten lyrics to pop hits, helped establish his online brand were not intended as serious musical endeavors.

His significant vocal performance outside of gaming content came during the "Sidemen Diss Track Season" in August 2017. Barn released "The End , Sidemen Diss Track Reply," a response to fellow group members' comedic insults.

The track, which utilized a darker, more aggressive beat than his previous parodies, garnered millions of views and showcased a willingness to engage in musical performance, albeit within a satirical context.

In December 2019, Barn participated in the Sidemen's collaborative single "Merry Merry Christmas," featuring grime artist Jme. The track was part of a festive content push and introduced Barn to a more structured recording environment.

yet, his most commercially successful group effort arrived in December 2022 with the release of "Christmas Drillings." Produced by Nyge, the drill-influenced track featured Barn alongside Sidemen members KSI and Tobi Brown (TBJZL), with a guest verse from Jme.

The song became a legitimate chart contender, engaging in a high-profile battle for the UK Christmas Number 1 spot. "Christmas Drillings" peaked at number 3 on the UK Official Singles Chart, marking Barn's appearance in the upper tier of the national charts.

Professional DJ and Production Career

Barn's entry into the professional EDM sphere was catalyzed by a mentorship with Norwegian DJ and producer Alan Walker. The two developed a professional rapport that led to Barn joining Walker on stage at Tomorrowland in July 2022. This appearance served as a public declaration of his intent to pursue DJing seriously.

Following this debut, Barn undertook intensive training in music production and mixing, moving away from the "influencer-DJ" stereotype to establish credibility within the electronic music community.

On September 28, 2023, Barn released his debut commercial single, "Better Off (Alone, Pt. III)," a collaboration with Alan Walker and the Dutch electronic group Dash Berlin. The track reimagined the 1999 Eurodance classic "Better Off Alone" by Alice Deejay.

Released under MER Recordings and Columbia Records, the song achieved commercial success, peaking at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart. The release was accompanied by a music video filmed in Norway, further integrating Barn into the global EDM aesthetic.

Following the success of his debut, Barn released his original solo single, "Humans," on December 1, 2023. Featuring vocals from Maltese singer Shaun Farrugia, the progressive house track demonstrated Barn's preference for "big room" anthems reminiscent of the mid-2010s festival sound.

The release was supported by a headline performance at London's Ministry of Sound, a venue historically significant to the UK dance scene.

Throughout 2024 and 2025, Barn expanded his discography with a series of collaborations across various electronic subgenres. In April 2024, he made his debut on the independent label Monstercat with "Know Me Better," a track featuring Australian rapper Masked Wolf and grime veteran Jme.

This release highlighted Barn's ability to merge his hip-hop connections with his electronic production style. Subsequent releases in 2025 included "Hole in the Head" with Dutch duo Sick Individuals and "Lonely Together" featuring Sickick and Aloe Blacc, solidifying his output rate and industry connections.

Singles

Year	Title	Collaborators	Peak Chart Position (UK)	Album / EP
2017	"The End" (Diss Track)	None	,	Non-album single
2019	"Merry Merry Christmas"	Sidemen, Jme, Randolph	,	Non-album single
2022	"Christmas Drillings"	Sidemen, Jme	3	Non-album single
2023	"Better Off (Alone, Pt. III)"	Alan Walker, Dash Berlin	23	Walkerworld
2023	"Humans"	Shaun Farrugia	,	Non-album single
2024	"Know Me Better"	Masked Wolf, Jme	,	Non-album single
2024	"Barcelona (Vikkstar Remix)"	Alan Walker, Ina Wroldsen	,	Barcelona (Remixes)
2025	"Hole in the Head"	Sick Individuals	,	Non-album single
2025	"Lonely Together"	Sickick, Aloe Blacc	,	Non-album single
2025	"Have It All"	RetroVision, Dyson	,	Non-album single
2025	"Where Do I Go"	Nicky Romero, Alpharock, Oaks	,	Non-album single

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