Big Freedia: sissy, but certainly not a wimp

Sissy bounce (n): the informal name for a derivative of bounce that has risen to prominence in recent years and features explicitly gay and cross-dressing musicians and themes. Its leader? Big Freedia.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Big Freedia began her musical career nearly fifteen years ago as choir director at the Walter L. Cohen High School. However, she’s come a long way from gospel hymns and bible verses. Everyone leaving a Big Freedia performance nowadays is visibly shocked at the larger-than-life entertainer’s effect on the crowd. “She made me shake my ass. I couldn’t even fight it if I tried to,” exclaim many a concert-goer (quotes courtesy of extensive YouTube research).

If she’s taken one thing away from her early chorale beginnings, it’s the call and response technique between student and teacher that she now performs with her audience. Originating from the intimate and fun-loving nature of the city’s housing projects, bounce is now a New Orleans street culture staple. Big Freedia’s hit singles within the genre include Ah Ha, Oh Yeah (1999), Queen Diva (2003) and my personal favourite – Azz Everywhere (2010).  

If you thought being a singing, rapping and bouncing triple threat was enough for Big Freedia, think again. She recently developed a musical about her life, owns an event production business and acts as mentor to many of the younger artists making their way into the New Orleans scene. On top of it all, she’s in the process of recording her third studio album and performs sold-out shows with the likes of fellow bouncer Spank Rock (does anyone else remember his 2007 show at Zoobizarre?) and Ninjasonik.

The soulful, booty-shaking, dance-inducing Big Freedia is a pioneer of the Sissy Bounce scene and a role model for New Orleans’ gay, lesbian, bi and transgender communities. Thursday night marks her first performance in Montreal at Club Lambi; an event that is bound to be fun, wild and completely queer. Then again, would you expect anything less?
 

Big Freedia’s Sissy Bounce show, with guests Rusty Lazer, Lesbians on Ecstasy and DJ A-Rock
Thursday, June 17th | 9 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Club Lambi | 4465, St-Laurent
myspace.com/bigfreedia