Bounce music artist Big Freedia delves into religious tones on his latest album, titled 'Pressing Onward'.
In the vibrant world of New Orleans music, Big Freedia, the queen of bounce music, has unveiled her latest project – a gospel album titled Pressing Onward. The album, recorded at Esplanade Studios, which was once a church, is a testament to Freedia's lifelong connection with gospel music and her church roots.
Growing up at Pressing Onward Baptist Church, Freedia was an active member of the choir and aspired to be a choir director. Her godmother, Georgia, held that position at the church. This early exposure to gospel music has shaped Freedia's foundation, and it's evident in her new album.
Pressing Onward fuses Freedia's signature bounce sound with timeless gospel hymns. The album reflects her lifelong connection to the church and choir since childhood, while maintaining the ecstatic, inclusive energy found both in church and in the club scene.
Freedia compares the call and response in bounce music to the community coming together in gospel music. She connects her gospel music and bounce music by blending gospel harmonies, messages of faith, and church-rooted spirituality with the high-energy, rhythmic beats of bounce music.
The title of the album, Pressing Onward, has taken on a new meaning for Freedia since the death of her partner, Devon Hurst, due to complications from diabetes. Despite this loss, Freedia keeps God first in everything she does and turns to gospel regularly for solace and inspiration.
Freedia's live shows have undergone a transformation, combining bounce music and gospel elements. The album is designed to bring joy and can be listened to in various settings, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of race, sexuality, or previous church acceptance.
Freedia's new album is not her first foray into gospel music. She and her team have gospel Sundays in the van while on the road. Freedia believes that the people in the church are the church, not the building or the clergy. This philosophy is reflected in her music, where she directs the crowd in bounce music, now she directs voices in gospel music.
Big Freedia's connection with the music industry extends beyond the realm of gospel and bounce. She is featured on Beyoncé's "Break My Soul." Despite her success, Freedia states that she has never left gospel. Instead, she uses gospel’s hopeful, faith-driven messages and vocal styles as a backbone for her bounce music’s infectious rhythms and dance culture, creating a vibrant synthesis where church influences inspire and uplift the bounce scene.
In essence, Big Freedia's new album, Pressing Onward, draws a throughline between the spiritual ecstasy of gospel music and the euphoric joy of bounce music, creating a sanctuary of inclusive celebration that honors both traditions.
In Big Freedia's new album, Pressing Onward, the connection between gospel music and bounce music is evident, as she blends gospel harmonies, messages of faith, and church-rooted spirituality with the high-energy, rhythmic beats of bounce music. This diverse fusion of music styles reflects Freedia's strong connection to her church roots and her active involvement in the choir during her childhood years at Pressing Onward Baptist Church.
Freedia's live shows have undergone a transformation, as she now combines bounce music and gospel elements, making her performances accessible to all, regardless of race, sexuality, or previous church acceptance. The album is designed to bring joy and can be enjoyed in various settings, creating a sanctuary of inclusive celebration that honors both traditions.
