Tigarah

Born in Tokyo, MC Tigarah studied political science at Keio University while entertaining thoughts of entering politics or diplomacy, yet ultimately directed her worldwide perspective into music that mixes baile funk, grime, and crunk with lyrics focused on current events and norms upended. Brazilian classmates first acquainted the “girl like a tiger” with baile funk, an encounter that sent her to Brazil on repeated visits to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where she absorbed the culture and cut tracks alongside local musicians. In Rio de Janeiro she connected with DJ/producer Mr. D; the two began their collaboration in 2003. By 2006 they had issued the self-released Tigarah EP, which contained the consumerist-critical “Roppongi-Dori,” and had secured a contract with Universal Records. Her recordings subsequently surfaced on the series Numbers and The L Word as well as in the games FIFA 08 and Need for Speed: Carbon. The duo passed 2007 traveling among Rio, Tokyo, and Los Angeles to perform and shape material for their debut album, Revolution, which appeared in spring 2008.