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Vikkstar123

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Vikkstar123
Barn in 2022
Born
Vikram Singh Barn

(1995-08-02) 2 August 1995 (age 29)
Guildford, Surrey, England
EducationSilverdale School
Occupations
  • YouTuber
  • live streamer
  • DJ
  • music producer
YouTube information
Also known asVikkstar
Channel
Years active2010–present
Genres
Subscribers12.1 million (combined)[1][2]
Total views3.8 billion (combined)[1][2]
Associated actsSidemen
100,000 subscribers2012
1,000,000 subscribers2013
Last updated: 5 April 2023
Musical career
GenresElectronic music[3]
Years active2023–present

Vikram Singh Barn (born 2 August 1995), better known as Vikkstar123 or simply Vikkstar, is an English internet personality and record producer. He is a member of the YouTube group the Sidemen. He is the co-owner of XIX Vodka, Sidemen Clothing, restaurant chain Sides, and cereal brand Best Breakfasts.

Early life and education

Barn is of Indian descent[4] and was born on 2 August 1995[5] in Guildford, Surrey, England,[6] where he lived until eight years of age.[7] He moved to Sheffield where he attended Silverdale School.[8] Barn was offered a place to study natural sciences at University College London, but he ended up declining the offer in order to pursue his YouTube career full-time.[9] He is the youngest of three children.[10]

Online career

Barn joined YouTube in 2010; having played games with his friends, he got into watching YouTubers and making videos of their own. Eventually, he decided to launch his own channel, stating:[11]

I got involved thinking I might be able to do a little bit better than they were doing, and get involved and have some fun with it. I started recording myself playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. I started making tutorial videos that people could watch – some of them were for knives and how you could throw them across the map. I made videos showing places where you could throw a knife or tomahawk and get a kill. I thought it would be cool to show off these ridiculous kills.

As his popularity increased, he began to take it more seriously, branching out into Minecraft.[11]

In 2013, he joined the Sidemen, which caused his popularity to rise further.[12] He would later move in with three other members, sharing a house with them from 2014 to 2018, when he announced he was moving out of the Sidemen House.[13][14] He was also part of the Dream SMP server.[15]

In January 2021, he announced on his channel that he was quitting playing Call of Duty: Warzone due to a proliferation of cheating,[16] saying hackers would be "the death of the game" if it went unfixed.[17] Along with criticism from several other high-profile streamers, the resulting uproar caused Activision to update the game's anti-cheat software.[18]

Music career

On 5 December 2022, Barn, KSI, and TBJZL released a Christmas-themed single titled "Christmas Drillings" under the Sidemen banner featuring British rapper Jme, which charted at number 3 in the UK.[19][20]

In 2023, Barn started releasing music as a DJ and music producer.[3] On 28 September 2023, Barn released a single with Alan Walker and Dash Berlin titled "Better Off (Alone, Pt. III)" on digital platforms.[21]

His second single, "Humans", featuring Shaun Farrugia, was released on 1 December 2023.[3]

Other ventures

Investment

In January 2021, it was revealed that Barn had invested in the London Royal Ravens, a Call of Duty esports team, speaking of his desire to 'build a blueprint' for the wider popularisation of the sport.[22]

In July 2023, Barn invested in notwoways, an East London sneaker brand owned by fellow YouTuber and friend Callum "Callux" McGinley.[23][24]

CIRCULR

On 3 August 2023, it was announced that Barn would be joining as the new co-founder of British eyewear brand CIRCULR.[25][26][27]

Personal life

In December 2021, Barn announced his engagement to his longtime girlfriend.[28] They got married in 2023.[29]

In a Sidemen video released in March 2024, Barn revealed he suffers from Crohn's disease.[30]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2023 KSI: In Real Life Himself Documentary; Cameo
2024 The Sidemen Story Documentary [31]
Web
Year Title Role Network Notes Ref.
2014 The Sidemen Experience Himself Comedy Central UK Main role; 5 episodes [32]
2016–2017 YouTube Rewind YouTube Episode: "The Ultimate 2016 Challenge"
Episode: "The Shape of 2017" 		[33][34]
2018 The Sidemen Show YouTube Premium Main role; 7 episodes [35]
2020 How To Be Behzinga YouTube 1 episode [36]
2024 The Chase: Sidemen Edition The Chaser Special Spin-Off Episode [37]
Inside Host Reality Show created by the Sidemen [38]
Television
Year Title Role Network Notes Ref.
2021 The Wheel Himself / Celebrity expert (Gaming) BBC One Series 1, episode 6 [39]
Music videos
Year Title Artist(s) Role Ref.
2018 "Manchild" Randolph Himself [40]
2022 "Don't Lie" A1 x J1 featuring Nemzzz Himself [41]

Discography

Singles

List of singles, with selected peak chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
HUN
[42] 		MLT
[43] 		NOR
[44]
"Better Off (Alone, Pt. III)"[45]
(with Alan Walker and Dash Berlin) 		2023 1 — 30 Walkerworld[a]
"Humans"[47]
(with Shaun Farrugia) 		— 1 — Non-album singles
"Know Me Better"[48]
(with Masked Wolf featuring Jme) 		2024 — — —
"—" denotes single that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Charity singles

List of charity singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Notes
UK
[49] 		UK
Ind.
[50] 		IRE
[51] 		NZ
Hot
[52]
"Christmas Drillings"[53]
(as part of Sidemen featuring Jme) 		2022 3 2 25 7
  • Produced for a Sidemen Sunday video and raised money for FareShare.[54]

Music videos

List of music videos
Title Year Director(s) Ref.
As lead artist
"Better Off (Alone, Pt. III)"
(with Alan Walker and Dash Berlin) 		2023 Mads Neset [55]
"Humans"
(with Shaun Farrugia) 		Troy Roscoe [56]
"Know Me Better"
(with Masked Wolf featuring Jme) 		2024 Guy Davies [57]
As featured artist
"Christmas Drillings
(as part of Sidemen featuring Jme) 		2022 Konstantin [58]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2016 NME Awards Vlogger of the Year Himself Nominated [59]
2017 Teen Choice Awards Choice Gamer Himself Nominated [60]
2017 British Book Awards Non-Fiction: Lifestyle Book of the Year "Sidemen: The Book" (shared with the Sidemen) Nominated [61]
2019 Shorty Awards Best YouTube Ensemble Himself (shared with the Sidemen) Nominated [62]

Notes

  1. ^ Better Off (Alone, Pt. III) is absent from the Apple Music release of Walkerworld.[46]

References

  1. ^ a b See:
    • "Vikkstar123's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
    • "Vikkstar123HD's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
    • "VikkstarPlays's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
    • "VikkstarShorts's YouTube Stats". Social Blade. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b "About Vikkstar123". YouTube.
  3. ^ a b c "Shaun Farrugia & Vikkstar's Song 'Humans' Is Out Today!". Malta Daily. 1 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  4. ^ @Vikkstar123 (10 May 2013). "... Ethnicity and Nationality are two completely separate things, I've lived in England for all my life. My ethnic background is Indian" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ^ Barn, Vikram [@Vikkstar123] (2 August 2020). "25 years on this big rock. Super happy & grateful. Thanks for all the Birthday wishes!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2 August 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2021 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ Which of the Sidemen knows Vik the best? (video). MoreSidemen. 23 July 2019. Event occurs at 14:44. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Barn, Vikram [@Vikkstar123] (21 April 2015). "It's always nostalgic coming back to Guildford. I lived here until I was 8" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 April 2021 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Roberts, Alana (20 December 2019). "YouTube star encourages students to work hard during visit to his old school in Sheffield". The Star. Sheffield Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  9. ^ Newsroom, The (5 November 2016). "Sheffield YouTube star explains why he could retire - aged just 21". The Star. Sheffield Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  10. ^ Sidemen, The (2016). Sidemen: The Book. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-1-4736-4819-7. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  11. ^ a b Reiner, Andrew (30 April 2015). "An Interview With YouTube Sensation Vikkstar123". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  12. ^ Fogarty, Paul (17 September 2019). "YouTube: Get to know all seven Sidemen members – Ethan, Tobi, Harry!". HITC. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  13. ^ "Who are the Sidemen? How KSI and friends amassed 123 million followers". The Times. 23 October 2021. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  14. ^ "I'm leaving the Sidemen House". YouTube. 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  15. ^ Çakır, Gökhan (1 January 2021). "Who is a part of the Dream SMP Minecraft Server?". Dot Esports. GAMURS Group. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  16. ^ Criddle, Cristina (1 February 2021). "Gamer Vikkstar quits Call of Duty: Warzone over cheating". BBC News. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  17. ^ Franceschi-Bicchierai, Lorenzo (2 February 2021). "'Call of Duty: Warzone' Bans More than 60,000 Cheaters". Vice. Vice Media. Archived from the original on 22 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  18. ^ Criddle, Cristina (3 February 2021). "Call of Duty: Warzone 'enhances' its anti-cheat software". BBC News. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  19. ^ Ben Mundy, Sam Harris (22 December 2022). "Christmas number one: Sidemen and JME's quest for top spot". BBC. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  20. ^ "CHRISTMAS DRILLINGS". Official Charts. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  21. ^ Smith, Carl (28 September 2023). "New Releases". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  22. ^ Powell, Steffan; Pandey, Manish (7 January 2021). "Vikkstar on his plans for growing Call of Duty esports". BBC News. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  23. ^ Bottomley, Tom (28 July 2023). "Sneaker brand notwoways secures £2.3m investment to turbo charge growth". TheIndustry.fashion. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  24. ^ Taylor, Nigel (21 August 2023). "UK sneaker brand Notwoways secures £2.3m in fresh funding". FashionNetwork. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  25. ^ Strong, Jack (3 August 2023). "CIRCULR Eyewear Relaunches With British YouTube Sensation Vikkstar at the Helm". TheSoleSupplier. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  26. ^ taijaweekes (4 August 2023). "Circulr Relaunch alongside new co-owner Vikkstar". PAUSE Online. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  27. ^ Staff, Wonderland (9 August 2023). "CIRCULR Relaunches with Vikkstar". Wonderland. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  28. ^ Vikram, Barn [@Vikkstar123] (22 December 2021). "We're engaged! These years together have been magical, here's to many more" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ Vikram, Barn [@Vikkstar123] (26 September 2023). "Mr & Mrs 🤍" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ SIDEMEN HOW FAR CAN YOU GET IN 24 HOURS. Sidemen. 10 March 2024. Event occurs at 1:20:20. Retrieved 10 March 2024 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ Shah, Furvah. "Sidemen's Netflix documentary: Release date, trailer, cast and more". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Who Are The Sidemen? | The Sidemen Experience". CCUK. October 2014. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  33. ^ "YouTube Rewind: The Ultimate 2016 Challenge". Retrieved 3 April 2024 – via YouTube.
  34. ^ "YouTube Rewind: The Shape of 2017". Retrieved 26 March 2024 – via YouTube.
  35. ^ White, Peter (2 June 2018). "'The Sidemen Show': YouTube Debuts First Trailer & Dates Premium Reality Challenge Format". Deadline. Archived from the original on 20 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  36. ^ "How To Be Behzinga". YouTube. October 2020. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  37. ^ "ITV's The Chase to face major format shake-up for epic special episode". EXPRESS.co.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  38. ^ Copson, Josie. "YouTube gameshow with staggering £1,000,000 prize fund rivals traditional TV". Metro. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  39. ^ "Michael McIntyre's The Wheel – Series 1: Episode 6". BBC iPlayer. 2 January 2021. Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  40. ^ "Randolph - MANCHILD (Deji Diss Track) Official Video". Retrieved 17 March 2024 – via YouTube.
  41. ^ "A1 x J1 - Don't Lie (Official Video) ft. Nemzzz". Retrieved 17 March 2024 – via YouTube.
  42. ^ "Rádiós Top 40 slágerlista". slagerlistak.hu. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  43. ^ "PRS Malta on Facebook: BMAT PRS Malta Top 10 Airplay Chart - 14 January 2024". The Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  44. ^ "Singel 2023 uke 40". VG-lista. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  45. ^ "Better Off (Alone, Pt. III) – Single by Alan Walker, Bash Berlin & Vikkstar". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  46. ^ "Walkerworld – Album by Alan Walker". Apple Music. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  47. ^ "Humans – Single by Vikkstar". Apple Music. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  48. ^ "Know Me Better (feat. Jme) – Single by Vikkstar & Masked Wolf featuring Jme". Apple Music. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  49. ^ "UK Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. 26 December 2019. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  50. ^ "UK Independent Singles Chart (09 December 2022 – 15 December 2022)". Official Charts Company. 9 December 2022. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  51. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  52. ^ Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
  53. ^ "Christmas Drillings – Single by the Sidemen". Apple Music. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  54. ^ Smith, Carl (7 December 2022). "Christmas Number 1 2022 contenders revealed: LadBaby, Sidemen, Stormzy, Mariah Carey and more". Official Charts Company.
  55. ^ "Alan Walker, Dash Berlin & Vikkstar - Better Off (Alone, Pt. III) - Official Music Video". Retrieved 28 September 2023 – via YouTube.
  56. ^ "Vikkstar - Humans (feat. Shaun Farrugia) [Official Music Video]". Retrieved 1 December 2023 – via YouTube.
  57. ^ "Vikkstar & Masked Wolf - Know Me Better (feat. Jme) [Official Music Video]". Retrieved 27 April 2024 – via YouTube.
  58. ^ "Sidemen - Christmas Drillings Ft. JME (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via YouTube.
  59. ^ Britton, Luke Morgan (17 February 2016). "NME Awards 2016 with Austin, Texas full winners list". NME. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  60. ^ Rubin, Rebecca; Knapp, JD (13 August 2017). "Teen Choice Awards 2017: 'Riverdale,' Fifth Harmony Shut Out Competition". Variety. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  61. ^ "Hachette and Penguin Random House lead British Book Awards Books of the Year shortlists". The Bookseller. 15 March 2017. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  62. ^ "11th Annual Influencer Nominees". Shorty Awards. 28 January 2019. Archived from the original on 31 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
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