Big Freedia

Big Freedia, real name Freddie Ross Jr., is an American artist, rapper and performer born January 28, 1978 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is best known for her pivotal role in popularizing the bounce style, a subgenre of hip-hop originating in New Orleans, characterized by fast rhythms, vocal repetition and a strong dance dimension. Openly gay and an emblematic figure of the LGBTQ+ community, Big Freedia stands out for her stage energy and deep, powerful voice. She began her musical career in the late 1990s, singing in local clubs and collaborating with bounce figures such as Katey Red. Her debut album, Queen Diva, was released in 2003 and marked the beginning of her rise in the underground scene of the American South. In the 2010s, she gained national recognition through touring, viral videos and collaborations with other artists. In 2013, she starred in the reality show Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce on the Fuse channel, documenting her personal life and career. She collaborates with artists such as Beyoncé and Kesha, and in 2015 publishes her autobiography God Save the Queen Diva. After Just Be Free (2014), the album Central City (2023) features contributions from Kamaiyah, Kelly Price, Ciara, Sonyae, Faith Evans, Lil Wayne and Boyfriend. It is followed in 2025 by Pressing Onward, featuring Tamar Braxton, K. Michelle and Billy Porter.