Big Freedia

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• Snoop Dogg
• Lil' Wayne
• Lil Jon
• Hip-Hop and Rap
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

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A forerunner of "sissy rap," a New Orleans sub-genre of bounce music featuring exuberantly gay, cross-dressing male DJs, Big Freedia has put new meaning to "Shake it Like a Salt Shaker." The band, led by Queen Diva (Freddie Ross), performs almost nightly in and around NOLA and is renowned for over-the-top performances that become huge dance parties. Bounce music typically features sexually infused call-and-response style chants and has been sampled (or mentioned) rappers Lil' Jon and Lil Wayne. Though the Queen decorates homes by day, Big Freedia rules New Orleans by night. Singles like "Gin in My System" and "Azz Everywhere!" have helped propel the band to the national spotlight. (How many queer musicians can put "Opened for Snoop Dogg" on their résumés?) This ought to be the hottest, sweatiest concert of Pride Week, like a moist hurricane blast from the Gulf Coast. JOE WILLIAMS
Sat., June 25, 10 p.m., 2011