Tiger Tchakounté - Orange (INTERVIEW)
By: Phil Deutsch IG: @iyphil
Way up in the Great White North, Tiger Tchakounté is gearing up to take over the rap game. His music strikes up a surprising sense of intimacy with ease, as on “Orange,” the rapper shows us his somber side. In a seldom-made move, this song is about fall, and the changes we see in ourselves as the days grow shorter and colder.
“Summer was so hot this year, it actually kind of made me miss the cold. Though I truly hate winter, I can sincerely vibe with Fall.”
Not one to be hung up in little details, Tiger stuns with his flow, breathlessly sealing his status as a must-have on any road trip playlist. From ear-catching bars to production that never ceases to impress or surprise, “Orange” is the only song I want carrying me through to the end of the year.
“Whatever the type of day you’re having, there will always be a song that will help you get through to the next day. Objectively, nothing is good nor bad. You just have to embrace whatever comes and take something from it to constantly evolve.”
We had the chance to ask Tiger questions about his path so far, so be sure to read those along with his answers. You’ll find those, links to the music, and our favorite lyrics below!
1. What’s your journey into music been up to now?
For the most part it’s been about breaking boundaries for myself with the things that I can do with my voice and the right side of my brain. Been trying to perfect my sound, my writing and my producing. I’m also trying to use my left brain to add more depth to my view on the music industry and its functioning. And learn how to work with other people on certain project because I’ve been solo for a minute now. This year specifically has been good compared to the others. Nonetheless I’m forcing myself to keep focus and not clout my judgement with those little achievements that 2020 has brought us. Been doing that all while making sure my landlord doesn’t file a noise complaint on my ass.
2. How did you decide on your name?
It’s been a weird journey for my name. “Tiger” is just a nickname some guys in high school gave me in reference to Tiger Woods. Tchakounté is my father’s name. I use to go as Tiger from the Woods as late as last year after one of my friends suggested it. People would rock with it but the name felt extra corny to my ear. So, I told myself that I had been through too much trouble with my last name, from teachers mis-pronouncing it to kids making fun of it in Elementary school and High-School, to not actually capitalize off of it. So here we are.
3. What state of mind were you in when you recorded Orange?
Summer was so hot this year, it actually kind of made me miss the cold. Though I truly hate winter, I can sincerely vibe with Fall. There are not enough rap songs about seasons in my opinion. So, I just added one to the list. That and also me always wanting to make a song with a rhyme-scheme based around the word “orange”. Honestly though, I noticed how the cold brings anxiety and depression back into people’s life. November being suicide prevention month also adds to all of that. Canadian winters are not happy ones. So, I wrote a hook highlighting that fact.
4. What made this track stand out among all of the work you must have done by now
Let’s be real here, it doesn’t exactly stand out among the others. It’s different for sure, as every song I make (I hope so) is different from the other ones. I’d say it’s definitely a joint that people can relate to. I’ve also decided to make it a bit more pop in terms of the strings on the sample and the tempo used and the drums. I don’t really expect anyone to bump this in the club. But a little stroll down your local park might do the job. Which is the image I was trying to portrait really.
5. What are some of your aesthetic influences?
A lot of the common stuff everyone vibes with like Japan, animes, lo-fi, the skate culture, Nike, Kanye, Tyler the Creator, Tarantino movies etc. Personally, I’m big on vintage stuff from the 90’s and the 2000’s. A little bit from the 80’s. I’ve been trying to cop some DC shoes and Osiris’s from the 2000’s lately. Those kicks are a vibe with the right fit. I’m big on Nikes. I get mad inspiration from Salvador Dali. I rock with Shia LaBeouf heavy. I vibe with Converse and Fila too. Not the Disruptors though. That move has been overplayed. Billie Eilish lowkey makes me feel better about having baggy clothes. And on top of that list, Hoodies are my favourite thing on earth.
6. What do you want people to take away from your music?
To not shy away from anything that the universe throws at you. Whatever the type of day you’re having, there will always be a song that will help you get through to the next day. Objectively, nothing is good nor bad. You just have to embrace whatever comes and take something from it to constantly evolve. To evolve into the best version of yourself as long as it’s not the worst version of yourself to those who matter the most to you. Whatever you do, make sure you’re having fun and to always trust the process.
7. What message would you hope your fans take away after understanding you as an artist?
That I’m not here for a specific reason. Nothing from my past has ever indicated that I would do what I’m doing today. But I’m here now. So might as well roll with it.
8. When will you know you’ve made it?
When the presenter mispronounces my name on live television to declare me winner of a Grammy certifying my reach of the legendary status.
Lyrics That Stick:
“Why, oh why? Every damn time
Update the playlist, for the next drive
All of them songs got blues in their lines
soon as the leaves turn orange and die”