Before becoming the Queen of Bounce, before reality TV shows, setting twerking records, releasing massive songs with Beyonce and touring the world, Big Freedia was Freddie Ross Jr., dressed in polished shoes and his Sunday best and singing in a church choir.
Big Freedia’s godmother was the choir director at Pressing Onward Baptist Church on Danneel Street in Central City, and she got the young Freedia involved, the bounce artist recently told NPR. Freedia went on to become an assistant choir director at the church, sang in the school choir at Walter L. Cohen High School and performed with the Gospel Soul Children Choir.
“That was my foundation,” Freedia said to Gambit. “The choir helped me get ready for the stage. I was doing gospel back then, and it definitely prepared me for where I am currently, to be able to be on stage and have the confidence to sing out in public.”…