THE TALK SHOW HOST WHO’D RATHER LISTEN

From tattoo receptionist to talk show host, Clinton Sandifer finds a way to celebrate others’ stories and passions

Clinton Sandifer, the host of Show & Tell. Photography by Ken Block, courtesy of Clinton Sandifer.

Clinton Sandifer is making a name for himself in the rap music scene and on social media. Sandifer, better known by his stage name “showyousuck,” has been involved with music for as long as he could remember. However, one other passion of his is conversing with people about their interests and collections.

“I recognize how intimate it is for someone to share certain things— especially to someone that they don't know,” Sandifer says. “Sometimes their collectables aren't worth a lot monetarily, but they keep it with them every day, and I find that so fascinating.”

Sandifer hosts a Facebook Live show, “Show & Tell,” with the Chicago bar and music venue The Hideout. “Show & Tell,” a product of the pandemic, features Chicagoans showcasing their unique hobbies, collections and passions. The idea came from co-owner Katie Tuten, who understood the toll the coronavirus lockdown took on people.

“We wanted to do something where it feels like everyone from your neighborhood is just coming over to hang out like when you were a kid,” Tuten says.

Sully Davis, program director of The Hideout, mentioned to Tuten that Sandifer would be the perfect fit as a host. When the producer finally asked Sandifer to be the host, he was eager for the opportunity, as this was an idea he would’ve also come up with, he says.

“I love doing the show because I don't like collecting things anymore, but I get to live vicariously through other people and hear about the things that they collect,” Sandifer says.

Fellow creatives have always been Sandifer’s biggest inspiration, and he finds it beautiful when he hears others speaking about their passions.

“I worked retail my whole life. A lot of my time spent in stores was just getting people to talk about stuff they like, and I love it,” Sandifer says.

Prior to “Show & Tell,” Sandifer hosted his own social media segment called “Good Morning Live” on Instagram Live. During the livestream, he would tell people “good morning” for about a half-hour. Sandifer says the inspiration for it was just wanting to talk to people and greet them.

Although a lot of Sandifer’s work was built off of hosting events, he’s also made a name for himself in the music scene and on social media through his stage name, “showyousuck.”

Sandifer entered the music scene in high school and since then has been involved in tours, music collaborations and local events. He also teamed up with Hood Internet to create Air Credit, a concept project about rap music coming from a dystopian universe.

Before starting his career as a rapper in the music industry, he worked as a receptionist at tattoo shop, Code of Conduct. Sandifer’s positive attitude and willingness to talk to everyone he met made him locally known as “Clinton from Code of Conduct.”

Whether it’s through music, tattoo shops, retail, “Show & Tell” or Instagram Live, Sandifer has an underrated gift for finding a way to open his heart and listen to other people’s stories.

“My favorite thing is seeing someone light up,” Sandifer says. “Even if I don't give a damn about it. I love hearing people talk about things that they like.”

To learn more about Clinton Sandifer and his work visit showyousuck.bandcamp.com