CMJ 2010, Day 4: Big Freedia brings some much-needed Bounce

October 22, 2010, at Southpaw

By Lauren Besser
Published: October 24th, 2010 | 7:00am

Hip-hop has needed a makeover for a while. Conscious rap went and got commercial, and most commercial artists are hard to stomach if objectifying women and homophobia isn’t your thing, not to mention the underground seems to be deeper than a submarine. Welcome Big Freedia, the undisputed queen diva of Bounce.

Bounce Music is a strain of hip-hop that developed out of the projects in New Orleans that’s fun, high-tempo, and gets your ass shaking. Big Freedia describes her sound as Sissy Bounce, a tag owned by self-identified “Sissies,” a local reference for transgendered or sexually ambiguous males.

Say what? Transgendered rappers? Yes, it’s true. Feels like a whole new world, doesn’t it?

Big Freedia’s been on the scene for over a decade. Hits like “Azz Everywhere!” and “Gin in My System” brought her local fame and national attention, and now she tours regularly with the likes of from Rock and Ninjasonik, always with her crew of booty-poppin’ fly-girls. At this gig, however, the MC relied on well-rehearsed audience members instead of her regulars, and man, were these ladies serious. As Big Freedia’s set drew closer, the crowd packed against the stage behind a glittering row of hot pants-clad honeys, and as soon as the bounce hit and the queen took her mic, everyone from the front row was dancing on stage. One even had a pair of assels (think nipple tassels for your bottom).

Like a loving drill sergeant, Freedia stood tall and directed the poppers on stage while DJ Rusty Lazer managed the beats. At one point she called for “a girl who’s going to dribble her ass like a basketball,” and it was amazing how many could confidently do it. The diva throws lyrics that are just as aggressive as mainstream hip-hop—talking about stealing your man and getting drunk while dropping a bunch of b-words—but her biggest fans are the ladies. Looks like they give her a free pass considering all the roles, norms, and ideas she bends. There’s also something empowering about her inclusively. Everybody, from the gay boys vouging at her sides to the flocks of women ready to strip at Freedia’s command, gets to claim, “She’s one of us!”

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Want more CMJ coverage? Check out our other articles here:

CMJ 2010, Day 1: Jean Grae dominates the dudes in a hip-hop battle

CMJ 2010, Day 2: Braids is one band to watch

CMJ 2010, Day 2: Better late than never

CMJ 2010, Day 2: The Drums bring style and swagger to NYC as they shimmy and shake

CMJ 2010, Days 3-5: Go out with a bang