Feature: Tigress Records

Logo created by Kirstin Mohammed

By Emily Racanelli

Tigress Records: Redefining Business

Mayday Parade, Luke Bryan, and Ariana Grande. What do these artists all have in common? It’s definitely not talent levels or genres! Rather, they are all supported by a record label. (Not the same one, of course). Even the casual music fan is familiar with a label, whose job is to provide funding for artists to record new music, book tours for them, and promote albums to the general public. What the casual fan doesn’t know is some of the conflict that goes on behind those studio doors. While most labels, such as Fearless and Rise Records, are godsends to musicians, helping them catapult their careers, others are restricting creativity and tossing aside lyrics that could inspire a whole new generation. That raises the question: what if there was a brand new label looking to revolutionize the music industry?

Alas! Say hello to alternative music’s new underdog: Tigress Records. Formed in affiliation with Hit Records Worldwide, the label is centered on creating a family environment and establishing personal relationships with the artists signed to it. Based out of NY, it is founded by 19-year-old business tycoon and Villanova University sophomore Kirstin Mohammed (known to her musicians as “Kam”), who has been working relentlessly to build a diverse and talented team.

Tigress currently has four acts: two solo artists and two bands. The former is up and coming pop star Jayse Vegas and acoustic performer Blue House. The latter is Brooklyn Blues, an Ozone Park quartet with a self-proclaimed indescribable sound and all-female acoustic screamo trio Heartless Bones. Even though the musical styles may span several genres, Mohammed does not stop there with the creativity.

Alongside her mentor and Hit Records CEO Dr. Rob Roe, Mohammed runs the Cinderella Slipper Project. It takes in at-risk youth and shows them how to use music as an outlet instead of becoming devoured in their negative situations. More importantly, the program focuses on helping the kids graduate high school and pursue a college education.

As is evident, Tigress is a far cry from the average label that checks in with bi-weekly conference calls. Mohammed has made it her mission to be on standby for her artists 24/7, whether they want to talk about music or any other issue weighing on their shoulders.

Her determination and work ethic are almost enough to get Tigress off the ground floor and into the competitive world of music business. The only obstacle standing in the way is the financial burden. Mohammed is currently looking to purchase an office space in Brooklyn, NY to build two recording studios to be used not only by artists signed to Tigress, but by any local musicians. The fees for studio time will be much lower in comparison to others, in an effort to maintain the Tigress spirit that everybody deserves a chance to pursue their dreams.

Hopefully this sets the precedent for fellow record labels to do the same. People become so preoccupied with deadlines and profits that they miss the entire goal: produce songs that the artist is proud of and the fans will have on repeat for days. When it comes down to it, music--and the alternative genre in particular--is about community: put a little love into it, and you’ll get so much more in return. 

If you would like to learn more about Tigress Records and help them build their recording studios, please visit the link below! (There are some pretty cool incentives as well!)

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/tigress-records-studio#/story