Tiga is one of the first DJs to join DJs for DRC. Tiga is the boss of Turbo Recordings and has also released singles, albums, remixes and mix compilations for a number of other well respected labels like !K7, NovaMute, DFA and BPitch. He is currently touring in support of his new album Ciao! and single “Beep Beep Beep”, both available from PIAS/Different. While DJs for DRC requests a participating DJ to donate half their fee from any one gig, Tiga went above and beyond and decided to give away his fee in full. And this isn’t Tiga’s first foray into charity: for example, last year he designed a T-shirt for H&M’s Fashion Against AIDS. DJs for DRC asked him a few questions in advance of his appearance at the Electric Zoo electronic music festival in NYC.

What initially attracted you to DJs For DRC?

I remember reading a press release for a CD Jay Haze was working on, and it mentioned he was supporting the cause. I was actually quite surprised and impressed to see ANY DJ doing anything philanthropic, and I was moved to contact him. I have always been very interested in Africa, and specifically African history and post-colonial development, and I wanted to get involved. The fact that I liked his music and label helped seal the deal.

Were you aware of what’s happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before you heard about this project?

I had a general understanding of the situation, and a pretty good understanding of the history (at least as a Belgian colony). Essentially like many people I know how many problems exist…. and I also am ignorant to the real extent. I plan on learning much more; and ideally not only thru books.

You’ll donate half your DJ fee from your appearance at NYC’s Electric Zoo toward DJs For DRC. Do you plan to do anything else at the festival to raise awareness?

I’m changed my mind, and I’m now goingto give my whole fee. I don’t have any more plans for THAT festival, but I do plan on continuing to give a portion of future shows to charity. Ideally, I just want to set up a foundation that gives a significant amount of all earnings to a few causes. As a DJ, I feel very genererously rewarded for what I do, and I can afford to share.

Why do you suppose there is little history of philanthropy in the global club scene? Do you think it will always be that way?

It’s a good question, and one that i think about. If I look at myself as an example, I think it comes down to being lazy and feeling isolated. I really feel if there were some organized systems in place, especielly though the promoters and agents (ie the touring revenue), then most working DJs and artists would be glad to contribute. I feel the global nature of DJing, the fact that you fly into countries and TAKE money, makes it even more natural to give back. The fact is that dance music, nightlife culture and much of modern youth culture have become quite apolitical, especielly nightlife land: it’s a massive industry that somehow exists outside the mainstream when it comes to any kind of real philanthropy. I think it could change easily.

The money earned from this project goes to victims of violence and hunger in the Congo. If you were to start your own charity, what situation would you aim to improve?

Specifically I would like to help displaced children and women. I find the sexual violence that is so widespread in African conflict zones truly disturbing, and it’s shocking how little airtime it gets, and how little priority it receives. I’m quite tough about the world, but this aspect is genuinely horrific and heartbreaking.

www.tiga.ca