Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart
Episode: Big Freedia Sings Gospel Live in Studio
Date: November 18, 2025
Overview
This vibrant episode features Big Freedia, the Queen of New Orleans Bounce, discussing her new gospel album Pressing Onward. Hosted by Alison Stewart, the conversation explores Big Freedia’s musical journey from her roots in the church, the healing power of gospel music, bridging the gap between gospel and bounce, and her message of resilience, acceptance, and joy for the LGBTQ+ community. The episode is interspersed with live listening to standout tracks from the album.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
Big Freedia’s Roots and the Church ([02:12]–[05:44])
- Origins of the Album Title: Pressing Onward is named after Freedia’s childhood church, which served as her “safe haven.”
"I grew up going to Pressing Onward Baptist Church. It was my safe haven." – Big Freedia [02:14]
- Sense of Belonging: The church protected and welcomed her, offering comfort growing up in New Orleans.
- Musical Foundations: Freedia started in church choirs and was choir director in high school, crediting church for overcoming stage fright and molding her as an artist.
"Church is what helped me to have the confidence I have to be." – Big Freedia [05:07]
- Turning Point for the Album: The inspiration for a gospel album emerged unexpectedly while recording new music; a single gospel track, “Celebration,” sparked the entire project.
"I actually went to do a dance album... out of doing the 50 songs in five days, I did one song which was a gospel song, 'Celebration.' And that’s what sparked my idea to do a gospel album..." – Big Freedia [02:49]
Celebration of Life and Collaborations ([03:16]–[07:34])
- Song ‘Celebration’: A universal anthem encouraging listeners to celebrate life despite hardships.
- ‘Sunday Best’ feat. Tamar Braxton: Collaboration came naturally because Tamar also has church roots.
"Tamar, definitely, you know, the Braxton family, they come from the church. Mom was their choir director..." – Big Freedia [06:04]
- Personal Style: Freedia describes her own “Sunday best” with a sharp suit, ascot, and matching accessories.
- Musical Interludes: Listeners hear snippets of “Revival,” “Celebration,” and “Sunday Best”, illustrating the fusion of bounce and gospel.
The Bounce–Gospel Bridge ([08:30]–[10:44])
- Merging Styles: Freedia discusses blending her signature bounce with gospel, emphasizing authenticity and giving praise in her own way.
"It was time for Freedia to go to church and to give God just the glory and the praise..." – Big Freedia [08:41]
- Song Selection: Friends helped select the final album tracks from about 40 gospel songs, with potential for a second gospel album.
Bounce Music and New Orleans Culture ([09:50]–[10:44])
- Defining Bounce: High-energy, up-tempo, bass-heavy, with call-and-response—linked to the spirit of New Orleans.
"When we do bounce, it’s like we catch the spirit." – Big Freedia [09:50]
- Cultural Connection: Bounce music is a true reflection of New Orleans—music, food, community.
"From babies to grandmother, they bounce around... it’s in our spirit, it’s in our food, it’s in our culture. It’s the love and spirit of New Orleans." – Big Freedia [10:28]
Resilience and Post-Katrina Rebuilding ([10:44]–[12:25])
- Hurricane Katrina: Despite losing everything, Freedia never gave up on New Orleans, making it her mission to rebuild the culture and bring people back.
"If I didn’t have bounce music, I didn’t have anything." – Big Freedia [11:07]
- FEMA Fridays: Legendary post-Katrina club nights that became iconic, offering communal escape and reaffirmation of New Orleans identity.
"It was a party that was like no other. When I would rap and be on the mic, it was like the roof was about to come off the building." – Big Freedia [11:36]
Evolution and Reach of Bounce ([12:25]–[13:01])
- Musical Growth: Bounce music has evolved in tempo, sound, and national influence, thanks in large part to Freedia’s global outreach.
"A lot of music today is standing on bounce music, a lot of it." – Big Freedia [12:29]
Healing, Loss, and the Power of Gospel ([13:15]–[17:29])
- ‘Let It Rain’: A song about trusting divine blessing through hardship.
- Personal Grief: The album is dedicated to Devin Hurst, Freedia’s partner of 20+ years, who died in May. The project became a healing journey for herself and her listeners.
"This record has really been my healing process, being able to bring a little light and joy to myself, to the world." – Big Freedia [15:29]
- Inclusion and Acceptance: Freedia aims to offer connection with God to all, especially the LGBTQ+ community, rejecting judgment and emphasizing personal spiritual connection.
"A lot of times I tell people, we are the people that make up the church. That’s just the building. The church is inside you." – Big Freedia [16:53]
More Collaborations and Joyful Praise ([17:29]–[19:43])
- Billy Porter Collaboration: “Holy Shuffle” is a joyful track featuring Billy Porter—a fellow church-raised performer—centered around dancing for the Lord.
"We’re dancing for the Lord. We're doing the Holy Shuffle for the Lord." – Big Freedia [17:56]
- Celebration, Dance, and Spiritual Connection: The track inspires movement and praise across the spectrum of Freedia’s fanbase.
Message to Young Queer Listeners & Reflection ([19:51]–End)
- Empowerment and Acceptance: Freedia hopes queer and marginalized listeners find joy, acceptance, and spiritual connection through these songs.
"It ain’t about judgment... It’s about being able to feel good inside, feel good with what’s inside the heart." – Big Freedia [20:02]
- Personal Artistic Pride: She calls Pressing Onward her best work yet, believing in its transformative power.
"To me, this record is my best music to date." – Big Freedia [20:32]
- Final Song: The episode closes with the track “Highway to Heaven.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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Big Freedia on safe spaces:
"When I first walked in the church, I felt welcome, I felt loved. They opened their arms and wrapped them around me." [02:26]
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On overcoming stage fright:
"I used to be stage frightened... Church is what helped me to get over that fear." [05:07]
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On the spirit of New Orleans:
"From babies to grandmother, they bounce around... it’s in our spirit, it’s in our food, it’s in our culture." [10:28]
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On loss and healing:
"This record has really been my healing process... Being able to bring a little light and joy to myself, to the world." [15:29]
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On inclusion and faith:
"You don’t have to have a certain type of religion... As long as you have your relationship with God, you can connect back with your upper power and your higher being." [17:09]
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On the album’s significance:
"I know it in my heart. I’m so proud of this record and the work that I put in. This record will definitely do something bigger than anything that I’ve done before." [20:41]
Timestamps of Key Segments
- [00:08]–[01:21]: Introduction of Big Freedia and Pressing Onward, opening track “Revival”
- [02:12]–[05:04]: Discussion of Freedia’s church upbringing and choir ties
- [06:04]–[07:34]: Collaboration with Tamar Braxton and “Sunday Best”
- [08:30]–[09:43]: Fusing bounce with gospel, song selection process
- [09:50]–[10:44]: Defining bounce music and its cultural connection
- [10:44]–[12:25]: Hurricane Katrina memories and rebuilding New Orleans
- [13:15]–[17:29]: “Let It Rain,” healing after personal loss, faith and LGBTQ+ acceptance
- [17:29]–[19:43]: Billy Porter collaboration and dancing for joy
- [20:02]–[20:32]: Hopes for queer listeners, reflections on the album’s impact
- [21:02]–End: Closing with “Highway to Heaven”
This episode vividly displays the intersections between personal and cultural history, faith, music, and communal healing. Through Big Freedia’s story, Pressing Onward stands as both a celebration and a transformative act for listeners of all backgrounds.