The P.O.P. Issue 016 - Isabella Acker

The P.O.P. (Portraits of POPLIFE) documents inspiring individuals who push artistic boundaries and strive for excellence in order to advance the communities around them. Uniting a wide range of talented creatives from diverse backgrounds, this editorial series invites them to share their passions and the impact they've had on the realms of hospitality, music, fashion, art, and design.

Miami is a cultural hub — a melting pot of music, fashion, and global influences. At the forefront of its evolution is Isabella Acker, founder of Tigre Sounds and Tigre Studios. She’s shaping Miami’s music scene, championing diverse sounds, and creating spaces for creative communities to thrive.

With extensive industry knowledge and experience, Izzy dedicates her time to uplifting Miami’s global music scene and curating experiences that inspire a diverse audience of music lovers.

POPLIFE stopped by her space to talk about her work, inspirations, and take a peek at her quite impressive record collection.

Izzy, for those who don’t know you, please tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.

Isabella Acker: I’m Isabella Acker, but most people know me as Izzy. I’m a creative serial entrepreneur with a deep love for music and culture. I’m the founder of Tigre Sounds and former Prism Creative Group, and for the past 15 years, I’ve been so passionately fostering building Miami’s music community into a global cultural hub that celebrates diversity and global sounds. I’ve poured my heart into diving deep into the music scene and creating spaces where people can feel a sense of belonging.

What drives me is the thrill of discovering incredible talent and finding ways to share it with others. Tigre is a media platform + agency hybrid, so that can often look like producing concerts, interviewing artists, throwing secret parties, helping open and program venues, and curating lineups for incredible shows. I’ve had the privilege of working with collaborators, clients, and artists who are shaping what the Miami music scene looks like today. My work centers on fostering a platform that empowers talented creatives and curating experiences for music lovers to be inspired.

Izzy, for those who don’t know you, please tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.

IA: Tigre Sounds is our media platform for music discovery for Citizens of the World, and Tigre Studios is our creative studio where we help humanize brands and create authentic cultural impact. As a hybrid business model, we saw the opportunity to tell stories, mobilize the community, and create authentic connections that amplify our cultural impact and audience reach—allowing us to collaborate with brands on a deeper level and resonate with audiences in powerful, lasting ways. Over the past year we’ve done executive experiential and content production for clients like Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, Sony Music Latin, Estrella Damm, to name a few.

How did you get your start in the music industry? What influenced this path?

IA: I got my start in the music industry 12 years ago as a former music manager and later served as the marketing director for clubs & theaters at Live Nation Florida. I left Live Nation to start my own creative agency, Prism Creative Group, that solely was focused on community building and cultural programming. Those early experiences allowed me to sit in every seat of the industry—from marketing shows and building brands to talent buying, producing events, and managing artists. It really allowed me to know what I was passionate about and what lane I wanted to focus on. I realized as much as I wanted to help different artists in the scene, I felt most excited about uplifting the entire scene and building a brand. My journey has been shaped by a passion for connecting artists with audiences and fostering environments that celebrate creativity, and it’s this commitment that continues to influence my work today.

Your platform shines a spotlight on world music and the artists behind it. What inspired you to focus on this genre? What role do you think it plays in shaping the global music industry?

IA: Over the last 4 years, we’ve really focused on rebranding “world music” to what we call "global sounds," creating a fresh lens that reflects the depth and nuance of diverse music scenes worldwide. We’re inspired by the genre-bending artists and movements that challenge traditional labels, bringing a unique vibrancy to the global music conversation. By offering deeper context on these scenes and artists, we’re giving space for music that is truly boundary less — a home for genre-less voices to be seen and heard. I’ve always been so drawn to artists that have 5 adjectives to describe their sound haha. It really keeps me excited to discover these music rabbit holes of genre fusions like Psychedelic Cumbia, Electronic Flamenco, Cuban funk, Folktronica, Ethiopian Jazz, Boleros Electronicos, to name a few.

At Tigre, we aim to expand musical horizons and shift the focus from just “listening” to a broader, more inclusive understanding of culture, where music becomes a living, breathing exchange between communities worldwide.

Are there specific countries or regions that stand out to you as hubs for emerging talent and innovation in music?

IA: Latin America is a huge hub of innovation right now — Mexico City, Buenos Aires, S?o Paulo, and Bogotá are producing so much creative energy. There’s a boldness to the music coming out of these places that resonates with people all over the world. And beyond Latin America, West African sounds and artists are also making major waves globally. These regions bring a unique mix of tradition and modernity that feels fresh and truly boundary-breaking. I think Miami, as a cultural bridge, is uniquely positioned to celebrate and connect these regions with the U.S. and beyond.

In what ways does Miami's unique cultural and musical diversity enhance or inspire your work?

IA: Miami’s energy is unlike any other city I’ve been to. There’s a blend of Latin American, Caribbean, African, and global influences that collide here, and I feel that the music scene demands a place to celebrate that fusion in a deeper, more authentic way. Miami has a hunger for something more, something meaningful. It’s not just about nightlife—it’s about connection. I love to curate experiences where the local and global could coexist, where Miami’s multicultural essence could be reflected through music.

Can you tell us a bit about what you’re currently working on? Or any exciting projects in the works?

IA: Yes, I can give you guys a teaser since we haven’t announced any of this yet! We are thrilled to be rolling out some longer format music storytelling to continue expanding our impact in cultural media. We are also working on a slew of announcements for our 2025 concert season, with some really exciting artists. We are also making plans to do Tigre Pop-Ups in LA, NYC, CDMX, and Colombia.

How do you reset and recharge when you’re not working? Do you have any additional creative outlets, outside of music?

IA: I recharge by spending time by the water. I live in North Beach and there’s something about being close to the ocean that grounds me and reminds me to slow down. I’m reminded often that the pace in which we are living in, needs a constant thoughtful moment to disconnect. I also love to be active, weightlifting, doing yoga, nature walks, and dancing. Outside of that, travel has always been a way for me to reconnect and draw inspiration. Experiencing other cultures and hearing new sounds is something I bring back to my work, and it fuels my creativity.

What do you hope people notice most about you?

IA: I hope people notice that I’m passionate about connecting people through music and that I truly believe in the power of cultural storytelling. I want people to feel that I’m invested in the communities I work with, that I bring heart to what I do, and that I’m here to create spaces where people can be seen.

What is a significant memory you have with POPLIFE? Or can you describe if POPLIFE made a significant impression in your life?

IA: My early memories with POPLIFE were all the amazing concerts I saw at Grand Central. I remember when I first moved to Miami, I thought “here are my people!” I remember catching Little Dragon and Flume. Both amazing shows!