SEPTEMBER 26, 2007
FR: ALEXANDRA GREENBERG/SHAZILA MOHAMMED
MSO
RETURNS TO AMERICA WITH
UNIVERSAL JAPAN RECORD DEAL
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED JAPANESE RAP QUEEN
SET FOR SPECIAL LOS ANGELES PERFORMANCE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 AT THE HIGHLANDS
After touring throughout Asia and Europe, critically acclaimed Japanese rap queen TIGARAH returns to the U.S. and is pleased to announce she has inked a deal with Universal Records Japan for her debut album to be released in Spring 2008. Gearing up for the promotion of the album’s first single “Roppongi-Dori”—a culturally inspired song titled after a major street in Tokyo—the Japanese queen is scheduled for several promo activities in America. This includes a video shoot as well as a special engagement at The Highlands Thursday, October 18, marking her first appearance in Los Angeles in over a year. In addition, TIGARAH’S single "Color, Culture, Money, Beauty" will be featured in the upcoming EA game Fifa 2008.
TIGARAH is a female MC who raps in Japanese and English. Heralded as a pioneer in international rap, her songs–produced with production partner MR. D–are inspired by many different styles found around the globe: electro, baile funk, Baltimore club, pop and hip-hop, topped with her clever rhymes covering such topics as culture clash, fake people and defending your own style, all elements of creativity from a self-confident woman.
After contemplating a career as a politician or ambassador, TIGARAH felt she could speak her mind best if she made music her life. Shortly after majoring in political science at Tokyo's renowned Keio University, she started writing songs on her own in her tiny room in Tokyo, inspired by the baile funk music from Brazil. With several trips to Sao Paulo and Rio, TIGARAH immersed herself in Brazilian culture and recorded music together with various musicians including LA-based producer MR.D who was on tour in South America at the time. Since 2003, TIGARAH and MR. D have been recording tracks together. Expect their new material to transcend cultural boundaries.
TIGARAH’s 2006 seven-song EP garnered great notice in the press:
—DAZED & CONFUSED (U.K.)
—LOS ANGELES TIMES
—BLENDER
—URB
—MUSIC CONNECTION
—METRO SILICON VALLEY
“Tigarah seems poised for dancefloor domination as the outsourcing of hip hop adds more international talent to its ranks.”
—SF WEEKLY
“Mixing baile funk, grime, crunk, and good old-fashioned pop, the 24-year-old Tokyo native makes the kind of music that often doubles as foreplay.”
—THE ONION (SAN FRANCISCO)
“The Japanese are now in the running for the queen of hip hop with their girl Tigarah…Tigarah is a mix of hip-hop, rock and her own unique ability to make you nod your head. With amazing stage presence and sound that grabs at you she is the it girl.”
—SF STATION
If you would like to attend TIGARAH’s upcoming Los Angeles show or require additional information, please contact:
MSO 818-380-0400
Alexandra Greenberg x223, agreenberg@msopr.com
Shazila Mohammed x238, shazila@msopr.com
http://
TIGARAH RETURNS TO AMERICA WITH UNIVERSAL JAPAN RECORD DEAL; CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED JAPANESE RAP QUEEN SET FOR SPECIAL LOS ANGELES PERFORMANCE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 AT THE HIGHLANDS