O Le Tigre was formed in 1998 in New York by Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of Bikini Kill and one of the leading figures of the riot grrrl movement, artist and fanzine creator Johanna Fateman, and Sadie Benning, an artist active in experimental film. With a feminist agenda, the trio combined the energy of punk with electronic beats, samples, and influences from pop and hip-hop. Their performances incorporated videos and other multimedia elements, bringing together music, art, and activism.
Their debut album, Le Tigre, was released in 1999 on the independent label Mr. Lady. With tracks like “Deceptacon” and “Hot Topic,” the album featured a danceable and experimental sound, marked by guitars, electronic beats, and lyrics that addressed feminism, politics, and queer culture.
In 2000, Sadie Benning left the group to focus on audiovisual work, making way for JD Samson. With the new lineup, the band released Feminist Sweepstakes in 2001, deepening both their exploration of electronic music and their political discourse. In 2004, This Island, released by Universal, which expanded the trio’s production and pop appeal without abandoning their critical stance.
After wrapping up their concert tour in 2005, Le Tigre entered a period of sporadic activity. In 2016, they reunited to release “I’m With Her,” a song in support of Hillary Clinton’s bid for the U.S. presidency.
Their return to the stage took place in 2022 at the This Ain’t No Picnic festival in California. The following year, Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman, and JD Samson embarked on their first tour since 2005, with performances in Europe and North America.
- Origin:
Featured Albums
