Bounce music innovator Big Freedia releases new album titled 'Pressing Onward,' infusing religious themes
Big Freedia, the queen of bounce music, has taken a spiritual turn with her new album, Pressing Onward. Recorded at Esplanade Studios in New Orleans, this gospel album is a reflection of Freedia's deep-rooted faith and her connection to the city's gospel music.
Freedia's music has always been a source of healing for her. This is particularly evident after the passing of her partner, Devon Hurst, due to complications from diabetes. The title of the album took on a new meaning for her, symbolising the journey of moving forward in the face of adversity.
In her live shows, Freedia creates an atmosphere of sanctuary and inclusive joy. She blends the spirit of gospel's hope and healing with the infectious energy of bounce music. Collaborations with gospel vocalists like Billy Porter and community choirs, such as the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, are common in her performances. This creates a dance-floor celebration where everyone is welcome, showcasing gospel on her own terms as a vibrant and defiant act of love and acceptance.
Freedia's connection to gospel music is not new. As a young boy, she attended Pressing Onward Baptist Church in New Orleans. Her godmother, Georgia, was the choir director at the church, and it was under her guidance that Freedia found her love for music. Freedia's involvement in choir directing as a young adult and her time with the New Orleans Gospel Soul Children and the Gospel Music Workshop of America further solidified her connection to gospel music.
Despite her success in bounce music, Freedia did not leave gospel. Her faith has remained a constant in her life. She sees a connection between bounce music and gospel music, particularly in the call and response and the sense of community. This fusion of her signature high-energy bounce beats with the spiritual, inclusive, and celebratory elements of gospel creates a vibrant, joyful blend that emphasises love, resilience, and community without judgment.
Pressing Onward can be listened to in various settings, including at home, at work, and in the car. It's an album that can bring joy to anyone who listens to it. Freedia and her team pray before every event, keeping God first in everything they do. The album is intended for a diverse audience, including those who may have been rejected by traditional churches due to their sexuality.
Freedia's live shows now include a segment where audience members can be "baptized and saved." This segment, along with the album itself, is a testament to Freedia's unwavering faith and her commitment to spreading love and acceptance through her music.
[1] Source: Big Freedia's official website [2] Source: Interview with Big Freedia on NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert series
- Big Freedia's live shows now incorporate a segment where audience members can be "baptized and saved," reflecting her deep-rooted faith and the fusion of community-centric entertainment within her music.
- Freedia's album, Pressing Onward, offers a vibrant blend of bounce music and gospel, showcasing her love for community and music, rooted in her childhood experiences in the Pressing Onward Baptist Church in New Orleans.
