TIGG, the manager behind artist GRIP, shares how he made his career jump off the porch.
TIGG, the manager for Shady Records artist, GRIP, discusses how he got his start in music and his moment in history.
There’s an adage that suggests that a man’s character can only be judged by how they treat someone who can not help or harm them. In the case of Isaiah Fofana, better known as TIGG, this couldn’t be more true. Originally on the Atlanta music scene as a manager for Far Out Family, he’s best known for his work with Shady Records artist, GRIP, whose 2017 debut album, Porch, garnered him the title of Atlanta’s next best storyteller according to Complex.
But years before the world knew GRIP, TIGG was simply a fan of his music. Inspired by his talent, he offered his help, and through a combination of persistence and ingenuity, helped craft out a lane for them both. Their label, Stray Society, serves as the base for all of their businesses, but their work is far from over.
Reared in Stone Mountain GA, TIGG was exposed to a range of music from both sides of his family including Detroit’s Motown era to rock groups like the BeeGees and even 2Pac. But the single greatest motivating factor in his musical career came from seeing his cousin, Charlie 2una, from the legendary rap collective, Jurassic 5, rise to prominence in the early 2000s. Their song, “What’s Golden”, captured the nostalgia of the 90s rap, and carried on that tradition for a generation of rap fans accustomed to gangster rap.
“To be honest, I got the majority of inspiration from seeing him. From seeing it on commercials and video games, and seeing the level he’s doing it, it was inspiring. Jurassic 5 is a legendary underground group in California, and he’s still a touring musician. “
As a high schooler, TIGG heard the bubbling music of the mid-2000s from the sounds of Lupe and Kanye to Lil Wayne and in Atlanta, Gucci Mane. He went to college at Valdosta State after high school, studying Mass Communication, before returning to Atlanta in 2014 to pursue his dreams of managing artists. By day he worked as an intern for Tree Sound Studios, and at night, he managed an Atlanta trio, known as Far Out Family, composed of artists Glenn Saddler, Bias the Black, and a guitarist known as the Living, who served as his first act.
“I was working with a group called Far Out Family throwing shows around the city. I managed them along with a partner named Devin. We booked shows, invited other artists to them, and ran a blog as well. I handled the music section and uploaded a playlist weekly.”
During this time, Atlanta’s independent rap scene was experiencing its renaissance, guided by iconic collectives such as Two-9, Spillage Village, and Awful Records, as well as artists like Quentin Miller. TIGG got a front-row seat to it all as he and Far Out Family made their way.
Over time though, TIGG grew tired of the scene and sought out a change. After spending a weekend in New York City with Far Out Family, he decided to relocate in 2016. After holding down a set of odd jobs up there, he worked for the city’s Xposure Foundation, an educational nonprofit that exposes students to STEM and other high-interest subjects. TIGG worked with students on everything from graphic design to video editing and sound engineering while earning a decent salary. However, his passion still resided in the arena of music.
While up there, he decided to listen to some music from a friend who was building a name for himself in the Atlanta indie scene, known as GRIP. His 2017 album, Porch, blew TIGG away and gave him the spark he needed to get back into the game. Inspired, TIGG offered his services, striking up a friendship first before deciding to help him.
“I met GRIP through a friend named Nick who used to work with. He and I were cool, but when I heard his music, I was like man he can go. I had his album on my computer and one day I pulled out my laptop to hear it and he was killing it. I called him and said how can I help? It’s been on ever since.”
Critically acclaimed, Porch positioned GRIP as Atlanta’s newest talent, and before both men knew it, it wasn’t long before Complex and other sites gave him the recognition of being Atlanta’s next great storyteller. But for TIGG, he remembers how tough it was to gain a foothold on the internet and the city before the bigs came calling.
He did everything from blog to constantly sharing GRIP’s work with strangers to help with branding as well as leaned on strategic partnerships with other managers like Ty Baisden, the mastermind behind Brent Faiyaz. Through pluck and prayer, GRIP’s 2019 SnubNose raised his banner even higher, generating acclaim from DJs like Ebro Darden and longtime journalists like Yoh Phillips.
Over time, their work paid off and in 2021, Paul Rosenberg and Eminem came knocking, signing GRIP to Shady Records and their independent label, Stray Society. A nod to their commitment to going against the grain, TIGG proudly embraces their maverick role in music. Stray Society serves as the label’s base and extends beyond the typical arenas of music, including their beer with Burial Beer Company in Asheville and a black-owned coffee brand with Atlanta’s DOPE Coffee Brewery and Roastery.
“Stray Society is about walking your path and making your lane. We felt like even now the type of people we are weren’t the stereotypical rappers. It was counterculture. It strays away from the norm. GRIP came up with the name, but is an umbrella for everything we do from management to touring and other endorsements.”
🔥 nice read!