Get ready to bounce
Big Freedia brings New Orleans sound to Boston
When this writer first saw Big Freedia perform, the gay-oriented hip-hop phenomenon known as “sissy bounce” was still an underground thing, and the shows were geared to adventurous tastes. But that’s not who was watching Freedia on this day: It was Sunday afternoon at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and a large section of the audience came from Freedia’s neighborhood Catholic church — some of whom were singing along with one of her trademark chants (“I got that gin in my system, somebody’s gonna be my victim”) when nobody was looking.
“Back then, the atmosphere in the New Orleans clubs was popping. It was raw, crowded and sweaty — magic was happening,” she said in an interview this week. “The choir director at my church spotted me early on and took me under her wing, way before bounce was a thing. When she got wind of what I was doing, she believed in me and always supported me following my calling.”
Freedia appears at Big Night Live tonight and is also inaugurating a brunch performance series at the Red Lantern in the South End.
Times have changed since then, and Freedia has helped bring New Orleans bounce (distinguished, she says, by “that hyper fast beat”) to the world. Along the way she’s become a LGBT icon and something of a mainstream star, with a Fuse TV show, a major-label record deal and even a Christmas album. Styling as a diva and rapping in a booming tenor voice, Freedia said, “I’m a gay man. I will answer to he or she, but I don’t get caught up in the pronouns. Inclusivity is what I’m all about, so come as you are.”
Freedia’s latest recording is a cover of Lady Gaga’s “Judas,” which appeared in June on the expanded addition of Gaga’s “Born This Way” album. The two have been friends for a few years, and the collaboration tops a number of high-profile collaborations Freedia’s done.
“Lady Gaga has always been an outspoken advocate of the LGBTQ+ community and her bringing awareness to mental illness is inspirational. On my list to work with in the future would be Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Nas X, and, of course, Drake and Beyonce again.”
Another recent project was more serious: A documentary on the Peacock network, “Freedia Got a Gun” took on gun violence and its impact on Black communities — particularly in New Orleans, where Freedia’s own brother was murdered two years ago.
“I won’t pretend to know how to solve the gun violence problem that plagues our country, but I do believe that access to education, health care and nourishment, mental health support and job opportunities gives children a pathway to a life of happiness and fulfillment.”
A full album is due later this year, but there will be no toning down for the mainstream. As she promises, “Big Freedia and toning down just don’t go in the same sentence.”