Author | Michelle King
I typically try to keep these recommendations focused on emerging artists and avoid pieces on musicians that we’ve all heard of and everyone is talking about. This might be an exception to my rule, as Big Freedia has certainly already established a name for herself as the figurehead of a new movement of booty shaking hip-hop music out of New Orleans. Respectfully know as the “Queen of Bounce,” Big Freedia (given name: Freddie Ross) just released her newest full-length album, and it’s one that just has to see some love from us here at Posture.
Beating Miley Cyrus to the twerk by a long-shot, Big Freedia has been a leader in the Bounce music movement for fifteen years, having first started performing in 1999 and releasing debut album Dancehall Queen Diva in 2003. With her newest LP, Just Be Free, we continue to see Freedia push into the mainstream as a proponent for not only the genre but queer culture on the whole. Though she will strongly assert that her sexuality and her music have little to do with one another – “She’s not a gay artist, but an artist who happens to be gay.” (official bio) – it’s nonetheless nice to see an artist who happens to be gay performing on Jimmy Kimmel and Carson Daly and featured in outlets like Rolling Stone, New York Times, and Chicago Tribune.
With her roots firmly planted in New Orleans, the Queen Diva has taken her enigmatic performances all over the country and in the past few years has gone from local hero to national phenomenon. Rarely on stage alone, Freedia performs with a group of dancers she calls The Divas and a show is never complete without inviting members of the audience to join in the booty shaking. Her music focuses on call-and-response lyrics and the driving, repetitive beats are infectious and electric. If you get a chance to catch her on tour this fall, do not miss it, or you’ll be missing out on one of the most high-engery dance parties you’ll ever attend.
Find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Check out the promo for her new album Just Be Free available June 17th !
Michelle King is a music fiend currently residing in Athens, GA. While her business card will tell you she is executive manager and director of publicity at Noisy Ghost PR, you can also find her blogging at She Turns the Tables, racing for Reality Bikes, and going on adventures with her awesome dog.
Follow Michelle on Spotify for up to the minute musical suggestions!
