I remember growing up in Columbus, Ga. I would listen to Tom Joyner in the Morning almost every Morning heading to school. The classic R&B, updated news, and jokes were always a vibe for me. Afterward, when my family moved to Birmingham, Al. in the early 2000s, 95.7 JAMZ and 98.7 Kiss AM were the stations to listen to before and after school or work. Granted, I was never sure if we had other Radio shows to listen to, but I knew that I could always count on 95.7 JAMZ to deliver my daily dose of laughs and good music to get ready for the day. Moving forward, technology has advanced tremendously, allowing anyone to listen to their favorite radio shows anywhere in the world and even listening to them on social media. With that being said, what is your favorite radio station?
Suppose you do not have a favorite radio station. In that case, I suggest V-103 Atlanta, which is Atlanta’s Number 1 for Hip Hop and R & R&B and make sure to catch The Morning Culture with Big Tigger co-hosts Christina, aka Ms. Basketball and Tyler from Wild ‘N Out. Did I mention how much I love a good radio station? So, you know, FEMI Magazine had to catch up with Big Tigger and interview his new co-hosts. So, let’s get into it!
Describe the culture on the set; what is the vibe you set before getting started?
Tyler started the conversation by stating, “The main thing is getting up and getting out of the bed.” Afterward, Tyler discussed how having music is important when getting ready and completing the basic stuff. “Once you get in as a unit, you just feed off the energy of everybody else when they get in there.”
Christina mentioned that the most challenging part is getting up, but knowing that she gets to work with Tyler and Tigger, the “TTs,” is so much fun. Christina then talked about the music and gospel music with Larry Tinsley that she in worship and praise. “They are just great people to work with, Tyler is funny, and Tigger has been doing this for 50 years, so it makes my job easier and easier going.”
After Christina jokingly talked about Tigger’s 50-year career, Tigger joined in, saying that it makes his job easier knowing that he has two abled-bodied, dependable, and talented people who show up on time and ready to work every morning. “It takes miles of stress off me.” Tigger then mentioned that knowing Christina and Tyler way before-hand makes it easier as well. He told Christina that she was amazing for this position and that he could not teach her how to be her, but how to do Radio. “Hiring was Tyler was easy too because he has been doing his thing as a comedian and writer.” “The energy is great, and it has just been a lot of fun outside of waking up early and getting better every month.” FYI, Tigger has been doing this for 27 years, y’all, still young and doing major things out here!
Big Tigger, you’re a whole icon out here. You have always been the face for many shows, awards, and events my generation has grown up with. What was the transition like switching to radio hosting?
“Actually, I started in Radio 27 years ago; I started my career in 1994. I was doing Radio 3 ½ to 4 years before I got to BET, and when BET started to take off for me, I put radioing to the side for a couple of years; but then I came back and have done Radio and TV since then, but more Radio than anything.” Tigger then talked about how good it feels for Rhapsody to be referred to as the fabric of Hip-Hop and how crazy it is for people to mention the show still and ask for it to come back. “I am happy to know that I have left something that positively impacts people.”
Tigger, you have hosted the show for a good minute by yourself; what made you want to add co-hosts, and what was the process like adding in Christina and Tyler Chronicles?
Me starting by myself was when I had to take the job, things happened unexpectedly, and I was a natural selection for the job. Due to COVID, I worked from the crib where I was literally home from March until December doing my show. I had always planned on having co-hosts; I wanted the right co-hosts with the right chemistry, the right set of skills, and energy. Then having our company go above and beyond to create a studio for us, socially distanced, and good ventilation was great so that I wouldn’t catch the cooties from anybody was also part of the equation. Once I decided that I wanted Tyler, it was an easy process from there. Tyler is a young black man, funny, and his writing always helped us out as a group because when we wanted to do something, he would think of something different from me because his mind works a little differently from mine. Christina is the symbolism of a young black successful female. She can play basketball and has dreams and aspirations that are beyond amazing. These two I have bumped into all over the place, and they are pretty cool.I knew the chemistry would be great because I already knew them and what kind of people they were. I said to myself, Yeah, this might work, and we got into the studio; it was just a lot of fun. While doing this for some time, many people have passed on some little nuggets and knowledge to me, so when I retire from this one day and Tyler and Christina take over the work, I would hope they hire me and can do the same for others. The entertainment industry has to become better at mentoring others and continuing greatness and legacies, and I hope they can be that for others.
Christina, aka Ms. Basketball! I know that you are proud of yourself; you have made some major moves in the past and recently. Describe the feelings and thoughts of being able to hoop, advocate, radio host, and act, along with everything else that you do?
It is almost the natural thing for me to do, almost like second nature, because that is who I am. My mom has always been the person who is about helping other people, being yourself, and being the light for others. I just feel like that’s what I have been doing when it comes to hosting. Encouraging others to be just who they are, staying authentic, and staying in your lane. My life has been a prime example of that, and my testimony is so true; when you remain true to who you are, God will bless you. For me, it’s been a blessing since moving to Atlanta. I’ve been here for eight years, and people see this opportunity and be like girl, this happened overnight, but this has been a fight for years. I’ve been marketing, being a brand ambassador, and being in people “business,” entertaining them for the past 12-13 years. I am blessed and thankful for that.
Christina, like Big Tigger, you have pretty much always been in front of the camera, so what made you thoroughly add Radio hosting to your list of achievements?
It goes back to being authentic. I started a radio show on dash radio 2 ½ years ago, and I didn’t know it set me up for something like this. Just being me, help lay the foundation work for something bigger, which is V-103 and Tigger seeing the light in me to say I love your energy, and I like what you bring to the table. I didn’t know my life would go this way, but I am grateful because it is bigger than what I expected.
Tyler, sir, you are just as busy, so you’ve been back out making people laugh, and I saw you were stuck in Jackson, MS. Talk to me about the relief of being back on the road and doing what you love?
First, being stuck in Mississippi was scary because everything was closed down, and I did not know how I would get back. I felt bad being out there because many people struggled with power, food, and water, so I want to shout out to everybody in Mississippi right now for going through all of that because no one was talking about it. Secondly, it was amazing to be back out doing stand-up comedy because when everything started going down in March, I had so many shows canceled, and I was like, will I ever be able to do that again. Because to hear people can’t gather in large groups for a comedian, that’s all you have is people gathering in large groups to listen to you, so it’s like awe man what do I do? However, things are starting to come back slowly and surely. Atlanta is doing a good job keeping the comedy scene going. It seems like for now, the only thing that is acceptable for large groups is a comedy while still trying to be safe to pursue your dreams.
Tyler, how can you handle everything you do, and how has the transition been from being on Wild ‘N Out to be on a radio morning show?
As Christina said, it has been natural for me. Before I had a “real job,” I was doing many things for free, trying to juggle finding different jobs and trying to maintain. I learned that you could not complain about having a lot of stuff to do because at one point, you cried and prayed for this, and now you crying that you’re doing too much is not right, so I am thankful for the opportunities. Afterward, I asked Tyler has he ever challenged Christina to a basketball game, and needless to say, Christina is the best basketball player in the studio!
Tyler, Christina, and Tigger, what are some recent projects you have been working on that we can look out for?
Tyler mentioned that he could only say so much, but Wild ‘N Out will hopefully be coming back very soon. “Also, I may or may not be writing for a lot of people’s favorite thing that used to come on, and people loved watching coming up as children. Then I may be afforded a new opportunity for writing for a new late-night talk show. COMING SOON”
Christina jokingly talked about working on people’s daddies, of course. “I am still working with HBCU Esports League powered by Verizon that is getting bigger and bigger. Now I am about to do the NBA 2K draft; I am blessed with that opportunity. I have some business ventures coming along coming March 10, so be on the lookout for that. However, my biggest project is working on me, ensuring that I soak in all this knowledge and energy and this new position. I am just trying to be the best person that I can be and be a good representation for black women.”
Being an extra busy person, Tigger mentioned that he is the third season host of Lexus’s YouTube show called 0-60 seconds. It is a celebrity driving competition, and the winner receives money for their chosen charity and is gifted a free Lexus for a year. You may have also seen him as the official DJ for the Atlanta ALL-STAR WEEKEND! “There are lots of interests for a couple of TV shows, pilots that people would like to see return and I will leave that right there and most importantly shout out Club Risk it All and this morning show is a priority and making sure these people can hire me later.”
Note to self, add Tigger, Christina, and Tyler to my new favorite radio hosts list. It was a pleasure to interview this group and catch up with blessed, thankful, and steadily making major moves in their lives, even after 50 years for one person. It is one thing to gossip on a show, but to actually bring light, wisdom, funniness, and positive energy to the show is beyond amazing. If you are in Atlanta up early and driving in traffic, tune into 103.3 FM on weekdays from 6 AM—10 AM, there you can catch Morning Culture with Big Tigger with his co-hosts Christina and Tyler. If you are like me and live somewhere else, follow the morning show on IG @Morningculturewithbigtigger or visit V-103.com. While you are at it, add Christina IG @MsBasketball1 and Tyler IG @TylerChronicles. You will not regret it.
Photo credits:
IG @Tylerchronicles
IG @bigtiggershow
IG @Msbasketball1
IG @Morningculturewithbigtigger
Adezza DuBose is a lover of Love and mental health speaker. She thrives in uplifting black people and hyping them up to be the best version of themselves. She is a poet, author, and blogger and enjoys eating seafood and vegan food.
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