with the Queen Diva, Big Freedia

by Denny Patterson

Are you ready to shake your ass and have the time of your life? Big Freedia sure is!

The larger-than-life ambassador of New Orleans bounce music will be a headlining performer at this year’s Denver PrideFest, taking place June 24-25 at Civic Center Park. Giving queerness from the South visibility since the beginning of her career in the late 90s and roaring onto the music scene with her 2003 debut EP Queen Diva, Freedia knows that she is a loud, proud voice for queer people everywhere, and she has no intention of changing that.

As an irrepressible force behind bounce rap music going mainstream, not only does Freedia love to get the party started, but her projects come with a message that will immediately capture our attention. Her signature creativity and resilience continue to set her apart and inspire many others. OFM sat down with the cultural icon and vibrant artist to talk more about her upcoming Denver appearance, the importance of Pride and being a role model, and upcoming projects we need to stay tuned for.

Let me begin by asking, how excited are you to be headlining this year’s Denver Pride?

It’s always exciting! Every time it’s Pride Month, I get to show my true colors, and to represent every Pride event I’m performing at, I am super excited to bring what I love and who I am to these different areas. We get to celebrate the LGBTQ community, and so I’m ready to be loud and proud.

Without giving too much away, what can we expect from your set?

You can expect some new songs, for sure, from my upcoming album Central City Freestyle. I also have a new song that is a celebration, and it’s called “Celebration.” I think it will definitely be a Pride anthem.

What do you always hope audiences take away from a Big Freedia performance?

For me, it’s all about bringing different walks of life together through the power of ass, and when they come, I want them to have a great time. I want them to have a great experience. I want them to remember the music and the sound. I love what I do, and you can see the true nature of bounce music and its culture when you come to a Big Freedia show.

What does Pride mean to you?

Just being exactly who I am. Prideful of who I am, where I've come from, and where I'm going. The struggles, the good, the bad, and the ugly in-between. Pride is all about being my true authentic self and being real.

Around the world, you are known as the Queen of Bounce. How did your journey with music begin?

I started in gospel music at an early age as a kid. I started singing with my church choir, and then I started singing in high school and around the neighborhood, doing different things at different churches. Then I became the choir director at my high school, as well as the choir director at my church home, and I then went on to sing with the Gospel Music Workshop of America, which is a choice here in New Orleans.

They traveled around the world, and you got to see so many great gospel artists. Then I started singing with the Gospel Soul Children of New Orleans, which is a very renowned worldwide choir here in New Orleans. So, I started in gospel music at an early age, and then I started with bounce music in 1998 when Katey Red, who was my friend, jumped into the game. I did my first solo project in 2000, and it’s been going ever since.

You have worked with several high-profile artists such as Lizzo and Drake, and last year, you appeared on Beyonce’s single “Break My Soul.” What was that experience like?

It was amazing to get the second call to work on another Beyonce project. It was so amazing to get that phone call, and I'm just grateful for Beyonce allowing me and the sound of bounce music to be a part of her project. The cause of the songs, and just the messaging, was very powerful. I'm forever grateful.

I read in another interview that you said you want to be a role model for all the different people. What does that entail?

Being myself and keeping it real, but also allowing them to be able to look up at someone that can inspire them to want to be better as a person. They look up and say, if Freedia did that, then I can do that. I want to be that type of role model.

You came out to your mother when you were 12 years old, and you said she allowed you to be your true self. What advice can you offer to parents of queer children who might be having a difficult time accepting their child?

It is a learning process, and first of all, you have to accept. Simple as that. Then it is a learning journey and a learning experience, but also still be a parent. Set barriers and set boundaries because my mom did. Even though she accepted me, she set boundaries and things that allowed me to still be myself, but also to keep me a kid and not grow up too fast. So, take your time. You're going to figure it out together. It’s one step at a time, one day at a time, but allow yourself to learn. Do homework and talk to other people and parents, but the main thing is to love your child and be there no matter what.

For those looking to help protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals, what would you recommend?

Support, that’s the main thing. Be there in any way that you can, and get in with people, companies, and organizations that support the LGBTQ community. PFLAG is one of my favorite organizations that stand up as allies for the gay community. Just support the community in whatever way you can.

Would you like to comment on the recent sweep of anti-drag and anti-LGBTQ laws?

It just saddens my heart that we are here in 2023, and these so-called leaders are still making stupid decisions and doing things they shouldn’t be doing in this current time and current state that we're in. We are going to keep on praying for things to change and to turn around, but it's up to us as a community to come together and fight for everyone's equal rights. That's where I'm at with it.

Earlier this year, details were shared about a forthcoming music venue, restaurant, and micro hotel in New Orleans called Hotel Freedia. How is that coming along? It’s coming along great! I can’t wait for it to happen.

It was also announced that you will be in a new Fuse series called Big Freedia Means Business. What can you tell us about that?

Yes, my new TV series Big Freedia Means Business will be airing this summer, and I'm super excited! Audiences will get to see me in a whole new type of way. It's about me inspiring young entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs out there to be on their business shit, be on their hustle, and grind. It’s not all peaches and cream. There are many ups and downs to businesses, but the main thing is, if you put your all into it, be professional, and put your heart and soul into your business; you will be able to see the fruits of your labor. You will be able to have a successful business.

What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your career and platform?

I hope to keep on growing. I hope to keep on taking it to new heights, keep elevating, go beyond the stars, and continue to open doors and breakthrough for different people and artists like me. Also, I want to continue being a role model that people can look up to and be inspired by. Like I said, I want them to say, "If Freedia can do it, I can do it." Then I also want to be able to have enough things going on that at some point, I can sit my ass down and not have to be on stage shaking anymore (laughs). That's why I'm working so hard to set up for my future and for my retirement, whenever that may finally come.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you would like to mention or plug?

Just that my album, Central City Freestyle, drops this summer, as well as my new eyeglass line, Shades by Big Freedia, and my new makeup line with BLK/OPL. It’s a Big Freedia summer takeover!

Diversions Word Search - Banned LGBTQIA+ Books Par t 1

Find the words in the list below hiding across, backwards, up, down and diagonally in the grid. Words separated by a slash “/” are found individually in the puzzle. Words in parentheses “( )” are not in the puzzle. The unused letters starting at top left and going down by row will reveal a famous related quote by Isaac Asimov!

Banned/LGBTQIA/Books

Maia/Kobabe

Gender/Queer

Peter/Parnell,/Justin

Richardson,/Henry/Cole

And Tango/Makes/Three

Jonathan/Evison

Lawn Boy

Juno/Dawson

This Book/Is Gay

Ellen/Hopkins

Tricks

Susan/Kuklin

Beyond/Magenta: Transgender/Teens

Speak Out

Mike/Curato

Flamer

George M/Johnson

All Boys/Aren’t/Blue

Tim Federle

Better/Nate/Than Ever

Rainbow/Book Bus (dot org)

Bookmobile/Book Fair

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