The Queen of Bounce

You could call Freddie Ross, who performs as Big Freedia, the Louis Armstrong of bounce music, helping bring mainstream attention to the style of what’s been knocking around New Orleans since at least the ’90s —maybe even earlier, according to some — a lot like Armstrong did with New Orleans’ jazz in the early 20th century.

Bounce blends elements of hip hop and drag culture with the rhythm and pulse of New Orleans’ long musical history, and Freedia’s song “Gin in My System” is one of the most recognizable songs in the style. It offers bounce music’s trademark call ‘n’ response structure, Mardi Gras atmosphere, dance call-outs and Freedia’s voice, big and round, with a flow recalling early hip-hop emcees like Grandmaster Flash.

When asked to describe bounce on Fuse Magazine’s YouTube channel, Freedia called it “heavy music, ass-shaking music” that’s “simple” and “up-tempo.”

Freedia’s last full-length studio record, Third Ward Bounce, came out in 2018. The song “Third Ward Bounce featuring Erica Falls” is a big love letter to New Orleans, written straight from the heart of the city’s more-disadvantaged communities. “We do it for the N.O.,” Freedia raps before Falls picks up the hook, singing “Ain’t No Place like New Orleans.”

Along the way, Freedia — also an actor, author and reality TV star — has become an outspoken advocate and icon for gay culture in the African American community. Performing in drag, Freedia identifies as homosexual rather than transgender, but does use the pronoun “she,” as Freedia told Out magazine in 2013.

This year, Freedia appeared on the Kesha’s single “Raising Hell,” a club banger mixing bounce and gospel with pop music, Kesha playing the role of a big-hearted party girl who’s learned her lesson.

“Doing my best, bitch, I’m blessed,” she sings, before Freedia commands us to “drop it down low.” ν

Big Freedia performs with Low Cut Connie and Boyfriend 9 pm Saturday, Nov. 16, at WOW Hall; $25 advance, $27 door, all-ages.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!