Big Freedia was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to Vera Ross. The name of his father is unknown. Freedia’s mother exposed him to artists such as Patti LaBelle, and he was also influenced by disco singers, Sylvester, Michael Jackson and Salt-N-Pepa.
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As a child, Freedia took piano lessons and sang in the choir of the neighbourhood Baptist church, Pressing Onward M.B.C., and has said that music was always a part of his life.
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Freedia has been credited with helping popularise the genre, which had been largely underground since developing in the early 1990s.
Big Freedia has collaborated with artists including Beyonce, who sampled his voice for her song, Formation and on her 2022 number-one hit, Break My Soul, Lixxo Kesha, New Kids on the block and many others.
In April 2022, Freedia was named Artist Ambassador for US Independent Venue Week. In June 2022, Freedia appeared in Beyonce’s single, Break My Soul.
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