Los Angeles-based electro-bass singer and DJ Lady Tigra was raised in Spanish Harlem, Queens, New York. However, it was a move to heat-drenched, sexually-infused Miami that became the catalyst to her nine-life music career. Before working as a solo artist, Lady Tigra was part of L'Trimm-- a female rap duo-- during Miami’s provocative-lyric-driven bass moment, in which 2 Live Crew served as her big brothers of sorts. More recently, breaking out on her own, besides opening shows for Kanye West and Gnarls Barkley, she’s releasing her debut solo album, Please Mr. BoomBox, on High Score Records, which even guest-stars female hip-hop legend MC Lyte.

As artists like Lady Tigra are on the forefront of fashion and music, she was eager to test out WESC’s new premiere line of headphones for DJing, specifically the Bag Pipe model, which boasts DJs like Steve Aoki and Stretch Armstrong as designers. In her own words, here’s what she had to say about the headphones:

What was the Miami Bass scene like?
Obviously, they didn’t play it on the radio, because it was too dirty. You could only exchange mix tapes with friends. We got those from swap meets and flea markets. It was very much word of mouth.

How did you develop as a female artist in a musical genre so driven by sex and female objectification?
I feel that throughout hip-hop, all the branches in general have sexist objectification, which has always come up. It’s definitely been the focus of its music. However, there’s always the counterpart to that objectification. For example, artists like Queen Latifah and, of course, L'Trimm. There were a few other female bands on a local level in Miami, and they weren’t necessarily rapping about booty too!

Were you ever in a situation where you felt uncomfortable?
We were really lucky because, number one, we were really hard-headed and strong. Also, the men that who were around and working with us were very protective. Whenever we played with 2 Live Crew, they always looked out. Sometimes they wouldn’t even let us watch their show! Not many people would dare to step out of line and try to objectify us. If anything, we were doing the objectification to ourselves. We wrote the suggestive lyrics rather than the sexual lyrics. “Grab It” is obviously very suggestive. You could’ve tried to objectify us, but we wouldn’t let that happen.

What did you think of the headphones?
The model I have is really pretty. They’re white and the ear part is yellow. The sound is really great, too. I have an afro, so I have difficult time keeping myself looking fresh because I get headphone-head, and because the top of the headphones expand, I can look good! They come in a bunch of different colors, too.

How would you compare WESC with your previous headphones?
My old headphones were wack. WESC headphones are dope!

What makes these work so well?
The crispness, outrageously good bass, the fit and workmanship.

What's the most important factor in choosing the right headphones?
The sound field, like to hear every nuance of a song.

If you had to choose between a cool looking or excellent sounding headphone, which would you pick?
Sound is everything. look is still important though. Luckily I don't have to choose between fashion and function with these.

Where did you wear them to DJ?
I played at this party at The Bronson Bar. On Sunset and Bronson in Los Angeles. It’s a party I just got involved in every Friday. I co-host that. I DJed that night with DJ Cookiebrownie and DJ Afghani Children.

What kind of music did you play?
Funk-Hip-hop-R&B-World Beat-really really happy “shake your booty” music.

What’s the best party you’ve ever DJed?
I got to spin at a Barack Obama benefit at Temporary Spaces here in Los Angeles. I was so excited about being a part of the event and that Michelle Obama being our black First Lady! Actually, Afghani kids and I want to write a song called “Black First Lady,” I think we’re going to record it soon.

Who’d play at your fantasy lineup of DJs and musicians?
I’d play a benefit in Haiti. I’d love to have all my homies like Stretch Armstrong, Steve Aoki and Pase Rock. I’d also love to have live performances as well. M.I.A., MC Lyte. My fantasy lineup would be all over the place. If it was a full-on-fantasy, I’d probably have to resurrect Nina Simone as well!

~Jessica McMenamin