Big Freedia: God Save the Queen Diva!

by Big Freedia, Nicole Balin

From the eponymous star of one of the most popular reality shows in Fuse’s history, this no-holds-barred memoir and “snappily dictated story of inverted cultural norms in the wards of New Orleans” (East Bay Express) reveals the fascinating truth about a gay, self-proclaimed mama’s boy who exploded onto the formerly underground Bounce music scene and found acceptance, healing, self-expression, and stardom. As the “undisputed ambassador” of the energetic, New Orleans-based Bounce movement, Big Freedia isn’t afraid to twerk, wiggle, and shake her way to self-confidence, and is encouraging her fans to do the same. In her engrossing memoir, Big Freedia tells the inside story of her path to fame, the peaks and valleys of her personal life, and the liberation that Bounce music brings to herself and every one of her fans who is searching for freedom.Big Freedia immediately pulls us into the relationship between her personal life and her career as an artist; being a “twerking sissy” is not just a job, she says, but a salvation. A place to find solace and escape from the battles she faced growing up in the worst neighborhood in New Orleans. To deal with losing loved ones to the violence on the streets, drug overdoses, and jail. To survive hurricane Katrina by living on her roof for two days with three adults and a child. To grapple with the difficulties and celebrate the joys of living. In this eye-opening memoir that bursts with energy, you’ll learn the history of the Bounce movement and meet all the colorful characters that pepper its music scene. “Whether detailing the highs or the lows, Freedia’s tales pop as much as the booty that made her famous” (Out Magazine).

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Music, LGBT, Queer, Biography, African American

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2015

Reviews

[Read In Colour · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know that this book will be enough to interest someone that's unfamiliar with Big Freedia, but as a fan of her TV show and her attitude toward life, I loved it. God Save the Queen Diva gives us a glimpse into her childhood, her supportive mother Ms. V., and the Bounce scene. I was hoping for pictures throughout the book, because I think it would have added to the story, but I read the ebook version, so maybe pictures are included in the print version. Anywho, if you like the show, like Big Freedia or are just interested in reading something outside of your usual norm, give it a read.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

After you read it,... Watch this Pitchfork documentary http://youtu.be/O0yrp3nsvAs and see it all come to life in a far more raw manner than Freedia's television show. An absolutely captivating individual. Freedia's gentle spirit, combined with her "no nonsense" ability to cuss you out with love is only one of the many seemingly contradicting parts of her life. He talks about being a sweet hearted choir director who loved(and needed the love of) his church, while at the same time his popularity as a booty shaking "sissy bounce"(his term) rapper was growing rapidly. Beautiful passages about the many times he was blessed with the reassurance that it was okay to be himself, are filtered through stories of friends who were not as lucky, and a harrowing recollection of Hurricane Katrina is juxtaposed with a peaceful display of how supportive and giving his family has been. Music fans will appreciate some perspective on the origins of the dance form many unwittingly credited Miley Cyrus with: twerking.

While not a groundbreaking literary work, Big Freedia's memoir of life and love and bounce in New Orleans was still a highly entertaining and endearing read.

[Rena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. I really got to know Big Freedia on a personal level. His delightful attitude and personality just grabbed my heart.

[Ollie Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Already Know

I really enjoyed getting more insight into how Freddie Ross sparkled into becoming Big Freedia. This book will take you on a journey. If you are a fan of the TV show Big Freedia, you will definitely enjoy this book. If you haven't watched the show or heard of the queen of bounce, this is still definitely a book you will enjoy. Big Freedia's genuine spirit jumps off the pages just as it does the TV show. God Save the Queen Diva !!

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve heard of Big Freedia but didn’t know much about her or how deep Bounce culture runs. This book was entertaining and insightful. It made me laugh and almost made me cry especially the parts about Hurricane Katrina and the relationships she’s had with her parents. This was a quick read with a good amount of depth into her life story and story as a musical artist. I really enjoyed the conversational tone of this book that felt so real I could hear Big Freedia reading it to me.

[Lucy Jane Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really heartfelt, I got to know Big Freedia

[Nandi Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa, come in with a bang and leave on one too. The Queen Diva of the Bounce tells her story of being from The Big Easy and how she, along with Katey Red, Magnolia Shorty and others transformed the Bounce music in New Orleans. Born in 1978, the oldest of his mom's kids, he grew up mostly chubby and by the time he was a teen, he knew he was gay. He came out to his mom and then to the world. By the turn of the 21st century, Freedia was making her mark initially in New Orleans. As time moved on and others saw her shine, she started touring across the country and generating fans nationwide, but home is still and always will be New Orleans. The book ends with her mom's funeral end generously she gives us instructions on how to bounce as well. Though I loved the book, I feel there is so much more to Freedia since that time. I suspect a part two later on. Truly.

[Renata · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not like, super well-written or anything, I think it's basically just Big Freedia told a bunch of anecdotes to Nicole Balin and somebody transcribed them, but a bunch of anecdotes from Big Freedia is like, all I want.

Also it's kind of a micro-history of the history of Bounce music, which I was into.

If you are charmed by lines like, "Wow, this shit is serious. That night I made a promise to myself and to God not to engage in drama. I also asked Nobby to be my gay son. He needed my help, this boy." then you would probably enjoy this book.

If not, Freedia doesn't need you, ya heard?!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Freedia!

I had no idea I was going to love this book as much as I did. I have got to see Big Freedia! She told this story just like it is. This is the New Orleans that I know and love. I also learned so much about her that I didn't know. This was a great book. I'm getting ready to look up her reality show and watch it right now.

[JACQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a New Orleans native, this book read like a visceral conversation with a friend with dialects, settings, and sounds that would only resonate with a New Orleanian. I'm very proud of Big Freedia for creating this piece of work, and I engulfed it with laughter, worry and more than anything else, understanding.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this until the last few chapters, which just felt like a list of all the shows and festivals Freedia has performed at over the last few years.

Loved learning more about Freedia's life and relationships with her mom and closest friends.

[Phil Overeem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, raw, inspiring, funny, tragic--well, totally New Orleans! Long Live The Queen!

[Dre J · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I will preface this with saying that Big Freedia really stands out and that’s physically and as an artist. Bounce music is such a cultural thing and the city of New Orleans is such a special place especially for the black experience. As a straight man a lot of times we get uncomfortable with gay stories, but Freedia has always had something about her/him (which Freedia expresses you can call her either and I will use it interchangeably through this review) that was genuine and the music be catchy and jamming. I recently saw her on college hill and she said call her the Brister (brother and sister). This book was read entirely in her voice. Such a unique figure and the show on fuse was decent. She uses a bunch of words that are considered offensive to people now but she is so much herself that she lives in the truth of what she is. I feel like this was a good storytelling up to the mom’s passing (very close to mother) but there is more that will come later especially with career blowing up working with Beyonce and all. The history of how her and Katy red was so close and I never got a sense of if sissy noby ever admitted to stealing that money. I can say that this was an easy to read straight to the point memoir. Katrina stories always break my heart no matter how many times I hear them. I can often put my views aside and respect what other people choose because we all weren’t raised the same or go through the same thing, but we all are forced to live on this planet together and Freedia is a person that would have grown up very different from me in sexuality and all but still some of the same overlaps of having a mom that we truly love…father who we didn’t se or speak to for years. Crazy how human experience is connected. Overall very good read.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Being a fan made me interested in reading this book. I!I'm glad I did. Freedia is not only talented, but has a great heart which we can see from tv and it comes across in the book as well. Thanks for sharing your journey.

[Cammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Freddia’s voice in this book invites you into her world with love and joy. You are welcomed into the culture of New Orleans and asked to just shake your ass along with everyone else at the club. Her story is full of beauty, pain, joy and good music.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me laughing and crying. Reading about Freedia's rise to fame felt empowering and at times filled me with pure awe. Her description of the moment when she realized bounce music was healing her and all her dancers was breathtaking, I felt like I was there with them on stage! Definitely worth the read

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Freedia's memoir also gave interesting perspectives on growing up gay and black in NOLA, NOLA's sissy bounce scene, hurricane Katrina, and getting big and famous in the 2010s.

[Rebecca Pertuit · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a NOLA girl I definitely enjoyed learning more about bounce culture! Very interesting read.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say, I loved Freedia before I read this book but now that I am finished I love Freddie just as much!!! I recommend this book to all of her fans and to people that aren't really sure who she is, she over came a lot and stayed true to herself in the process. I also can not lie....I cried at the end!!

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repetitive at times but very good just like Bounce music!!!! "Girl down!"--Big Freedia

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What in the hell does Big Freedia have to write about?!

 That is what I asked myself when I heard New Orleans bounce artist Big Freedia was having a book signing at New Orleans Public Library. I’m a New Orleans girl so he’s always been a hometown favorite and I even watched a few episodes of his show on Fuse but I wondered what on God’s green earth Big Freedia could fill a book with. In 2016, I finally decided to take a book and find out. 

The answer: A lot, apparently...

So listen to the old cliches because you shouldn’t don’t judge this book by it’s cover because there’s more than meets the eye. You may not recognize her, but others do.

So what does he talk about?!

Freedia starts from the beginning and takes you all the way to the present telling stories about being a gay black boy in the New Orleans in the late 80s and 90s, coming out to a religious mother, how he discovered his love for music, being a trailblazer in the creation of a new and often misunderstood genre of music, his Katrina story (all New Orleanians have one and we get a lot of practice verbalizing them), and his rise to mainstream fame. 

Freedia gave me nostalgia describing his neighborhood and the elements of New Orleans that only pre-Katrina natives know. He describes the culture (good and bad), the music, and does not skimp on the slang. I knew where he was, what and WHO he was talking about, and sometimes how to do it too. If you're family with bounce music in New Orleans, you know Freedia spilled some tea about some of his fellow artists. I’m convinced he could write a tell-all if he wanted to. 

Although anecdotal and not the most grammatically correct, this book keeps your attention. Everything he describes is raw and real. He shows emotion, gives great detail, and is very funny. You may have only heard his name before, but by the end you know her and how God did indeed save the Queen Diva. Saved her from her surroundings, in the midst of a storm (literally), and sometimes even saved her from her own habits. You may have only heard a song or two but you learn how established of an artist Big Freedia really is. 

Bravo for exceeding my expectations. 

Happy Reading to All who will partake.
Teri

(Please pardon my use of pronouns when describing Big Freedia. Although he is known as she in gay arenas, he never describes wanting to be known as female or denouncing male-ness. Correct me if I’m wrong.)

[Tony Parsons]

A very well written memoir of a drag-queen glory to stardom. My 1st exposure New Orleans.
In my good days I could do those moves. White folk can dance 2.
The tenacity to stand up for who you are & what you want to accomplish in life amazed me in Big Freedia (Freddie Ross).

I/son loved duck hunter, I wasn’t fond of Mario Brothers.

1 must have an open mind to read this book.

When I lived in New Orleans this was my 1st exposure to

Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great pictures, illustrations, font & writing style. A very well written autobiography book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great movie, college Art Theater, sociology or cultural class, PP presentation or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster); hardcover book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great book!

Big Freedia talks about the history of New Orleans bounce and the creation of Big Freedia.

This book is basically a bunch of anecdotes and stories from Freedia about life on the road and the creation of sissy bounce. Freedia talks about the loss of his mom, his life growing up, and what it means to be fluid about gender and sexuality. There's also stories about what what life was like in New Orleans pre and post New Orleans.

A fascinating and heartfelt read!

[Denver Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Big Freedia’s first book and autobiography. She tells of her experience growing up in New Orleans and coming out as gay to her family and community, eventually becoming a bounce music giant and reality TV star. Her experiences are exemplary of New Orleans archetypal culture and provide the reader a rare and incredible window into what will become modern New Orleans tradition. She writes about her school years daring to try new levels of fashion, taller hair styles done at salons and becoming her school’s first male cheerleader. She survived Hurricane Katrina by living on a roof for two days with two adults and a child and another three on the 610 bridge and convention center. Especially moving for me are her beginnings and life-long experiences with gospel choir and her relationship with her mother. The book reads like a story about coming of age and believing in oneself, but is actually real-life for an artist persevering and becoming “Big.” I recommend the book for those are familiar with the bounce genre and those who are not as it is an extraordinary life-story and important for anyone interested in New Orleans and American history.

Get Coming Through Slaughter from the Denver Public Library

- Porscha

[Venessia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Even tho I know Freedia didn't write it herself, the way it was transcribed made me feel as if I was sitting across the table from Freedia. Before this book, I was a fan of the show and even went to a Freedia concert but I wasn't a huge fan of bounce music and had no idea what sissy bounce was. (yes Freedia uses the word sissy and fag frequently in this book and I always thought they were degrading terms for homosexuals but apparently not in New Orleans). This book chronicles Freedia's life and struggles as a poor, overweight, gay black male growing up in the 80s when it wasn't so acceptable...finding his salvation in the Church..and later finding his freedom to be himself. I can feel Freedia's struggle with his Church upbringing and the lifestyle he feels today. Freddy Ross to Big Freedia the Queen Diva ya heard me?!!!!!! Like all things New Orleans this book was different with a little spice. Freedia shares her love life, her recap of Katrina, the love she had for her Mother and the loss of her Mom, as well as some tea on other local bounce queens. This book surpassed my expectations even tho I feel that it could be been a little more in depth. I loved the photos shared at the end.

[Sassafras Patterdale · Rating 1 out of 5]

Big Freedia and I were both at the Saints & Sinners Literary Festival this year. I was disappointed with a lot of what she had to say on the panel - namely that she was advocating physical punishment/child abuse. I thought perhaps the panel didn't give her enough opportunity to shine so I wanted to read her book.

The book reads like a tabloid magazine article. very much: first i met this person, then that person, i met this other person, then someone got shot, then i performed this song, and that song, then i met this other person, and went to this venue, and someone got shot, and then i met this person etc. on loop.

The book lacked structure, emotion, and that was disappointing. the strongest sections were those dealing with Katrina, and the death of Big Freedia's mother but even those sections felt like they lacked depth. Like many celebrity memoir's this one involved a co-writer but it doesn't seem like she was able to string together much of a narrative thread through the book. Disappointing read, glad it was a library book.

[Clifton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had I not met Big Freedia at the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival in New Orleans recently, I would not have discovered and read this memoir. I'm glad I did. It introduces me to worlds I would not have otherwise known--how music, be it gospel or Bounce, for Freddie Ross, Jr. (a.k.a. Big Freedia), as he says, "heals the pain and grief of poverty, struggle, losing friends and family, abandonment by my dad, hurricanes" and "the hardest loss of all: my mom." What "God Save the Queen Diva!" reveals is a generous-hearted, hugely talented, vulnerable, ambitious, and endearing person. His book surely deserves a place in the Bounce/Hip-Hop/African-American/LGBTQ canon.

[Julie Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read from an amazing personality and beautiful person. Big Freedia's tale is heart wrenching, full of grief, but also exciting, hilarious at times, full of love, and beaming with positive energy.

Throughout her story, Big Freedia gives context by providing us with a deep and insightful look at NOLA and southern culture - the good, bad and ugly.

Very interesting, engaging, and insightful overall!

[BMR, LCSW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Freedia, the Queen Diva, ya best believe her.

This book was great. I hated to put it down and go to work yesterday.

I was already a casual fan from her Fuse TV show. Now, knowing her story and all she's lived through...I love her for real.

VERY fast read. Suggested for those who love reality TV, Bounce music, and/or all things wild, fierce, and fabulous.

[Leslie Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a new bounce fan, I really liked this book. Not that there weren't any Iceberg Slim-esque moments, but overall, it was pretty interesting. Good resource for getting into all that early bounce music. I wish I'd read this before going to NOLA and attempting to find bounce clubs, if the ones mentioned are still around, anyway.