Check out more from Out Loud, our queer music column, here.
Big Freedia is all about bounce. It’s both the genre of up-tempo, bass-heavy rap she’s been performing for roughly two decades and the motion her work inspires in the butts of its devotees. More metaphorically, bouncing — particularly bouncing back — has been a constant theme in the legendary artist’s life and career ever since she was born in New Orleans’ 3rd Ward. Bouncing back, for Freedia, has meant more than rebuilding her life after Hurricane Katrina and run-ins with federal law she experienced back in 2016. It has also meant sustaining a lifetime’s worth of rejections because of her unapologetically Black, femme, and fabulous persona — slights she would translate into Louder, a new EP (out today from East West Records) that is as irrepressible as its creator.
Over five thumping tracks, Freedia reminds listeners that her artistry extends far beyond ad-libs for Beyoncé and Drake — she has enough ass-clapping flows to fill an opera. And while Louder isn’t exactly La Bohéme, its relentlessly positive tracks promise to move listeners in ways Puccini never could.
them. caught up with the Queen of Bounce to discuss the performance that changed her life, disarming homophobic bullies, and the inside scoop on one of Freedia’s most exciting projects to date.
You’ve said before that your life changed the night you first saw Katey Red perform. Could you tell me a little more about that show, who you were at the time, and what spoke to you about Katey and bounce?
For me, it was a life-changing performance because while Katey and I had been friends, this was the first time she had stepped into the game. Seeing the choir’s reaction, seeing just everybody — all of the people of New Orleans — had started to learn the music was just amazing. That night I got a chance to see a transformation: I saw somebody who had never been in the game get to play. She was also the first transsexual to come out with bounce music in New Orleans, so it was a great thing to see.
As someone who grew up singing in choir, even directing one at one point, how would you compare the church community to that of bounce?
It’s about bringing people together regardless. With gospel music, people come together and sing and clap and unite, rejoicing through music. Same thing with bounce. It's just the dynamics change a little bit. [The rejoicing] is still through music, but it comes through the power of ass. That energy of bringing people together was so instilled in me when I was in choir that it comes out in my performances now. When I’m doing shows, people are like, “Oh, my God. That felt like church. That felt like a revival or something of that nature.” And I’m like: “Wow, that’s crazy that my music now is still bringing people together in that kind of way, like I did with a choir.” It’s a great thing to see: all walks of life — Black, white, gay straight, wherever, however — coming together on one accord.
This new EP has a lot of bounce influence, of course, but also some poppier elements to it, too. Can you walk me through the musical evolution of Louder?
I’m just continuing to try to grow and to take the music to the next level. With that comes better production and a change in sound. I still want to keep a bounce element in it because that's my roots, and it reminds [my fans], Hey, I’m still the Queen of Bounce. But I’m also stepping into a new element musically. It’s always been a goal of mine to continue to bring bounce to the mainstream, to be on the charts. Lots of work still to be done.
What inspires you to make bounce more mainstream?
Once I decided that [making music] was going to be my career, that I wasn't stopping, and I was going hard as I can go, it became about more than setting goals and dreams and accomplishments for myself. It’s about the culture and for bounce music. Being mainstream makes the music wider. It opens doors for other artists like myself, other artists of the LGBTQ+ community. So I’m pushing boundaries and breaking barriers in a lot of ways by going mainstream.
That definitely shows on “Chasing Rainbows,” which is all about being yourself, even when some make that really difficult, even dangerous. If you could sit a small group of folks down to hear this song, who’d you want to hear it?
I would want them to be young, inspiring artists who are trying to find their way. I’d let them know where I come from and where I'm at now — it definitely wasn't easy. It was a struggle. But if I can do it, they can do it as well.
What advice would you have for those currently dealing with rejection?
When I realized that people were name-calling and bullying and stuff, I learned how to flip the switch. People would call me a faggot or a sissy, and I’d just flip the switch on the them and say “thank you.” That just stopped people from even bothering with me because they didn't know how to react to me saying thank you for calling me a fag, or thank you for calling me a sissy. I just found what worked for me. You got to find what works for you to make you feel comfortable and not giving into confrontations with people, because you'll be fighting all your life.
You've never been someone to really care much for labels in terms of gender and sexuality. Do you still feel that way?
Still feel the same… For me, I know who I am, so a label doesn't matter. A lot of times, my fans always go back and forth between calling me “she” or “he.” Sometimes, they don't know which pronoun to use or whatever, and a lot of times, I let them know it doesn't matter to me. I know who I am. I'm comfortable with myself. I know where I'm at in my own self and in my own skin, and I'm happy with that.
Do you ever get tired at being asked about labels, and pronouns, and all that?
Yeah. Yes, yes. Definitely. Just call me whatever you feel comfortable calling me. You know? If you don’t know, just say “queen.”
Why do you think people are so interested in trying to figure out labels?
I'm not sure. Right now, though, it's so that people don't offend. A lot of people are trying to educate themselves on the proper pronouns for gay individuals, artists, et cetera, and I think that's why they're pushing the labels hard, because people want people to identify them the right way.
Do you have any particular goals for 2020?
Just to keep making great music, to keep setting the bar high, to keep opening doors and breaking into areas — all the stuff that I'm on my mission to do — and to set my legacy. I’m also working on building my dream home.
Oh wow! Can you tell me a little bit more about that?
Yeah. Well, I want to purchase some land, and I want to build my dream home this year. Somewhere not far from New Orleans, where I can get some land and create Freedia's World.
What does Freedia's World look like?
Oh, God, it's going to be amazing. It's fabulous. It's a big old house, lots of land, lots of places to sit and get a peaceful moment. There’ll be a pool, and big palm trees, and lots of greenery and flowers everywhere. Creative art, and the right lighting — everything. I have such a spectacular idea for it. I just want to step to that next level of that home that I’ve always wanted, and that’s what I’m working towards.
Interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
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