History

Le Tigre is an American art punk and riot grrrl band formed in 1998 in New York City by Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman, and Sadie Benning. Benning left the group in 2000 and was replaced by JD Samson. The band combined punk's directness and political themes with playful samples, eclectic pop, and lo-fi electronics. Many of their lyrics addressed feminist themes and ideas, reflecting their association with the riot grrrl movement. Their live performances incorporated multimedia and performance art elements, often featuring support from acts such as the Need. Le Tigre released three full-length albums and toured extensively until 2007, when they announced a hiatus due to exhaustion. The band reunited in 2023 for a tour of Europe and North America, which was largely sold out. They have participated in collaborations with artists including Christina Aguilera and Pussy Riot. The band has faced minor controversies, including criticism for their participation in the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival in the early 2000s and a settled copyright infringement lawsuit in 2021 concerning their song 'Deceptacon' (1999).