Synopses & Reviews
From the eponymous star of the most popular reality show in Fuse TVand#8217;s history, this no-holds-barred memoir tells the story of a gay, self-proclaimed mamaand#8217;s boy who exploded onto the formerly underground Bounce music sceneand#8212;a hip-hop subgenreand#8212;and found acceptance, healing, self-expression, and stardom!andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;As the and#8220;undisputed ambassadorand#8221; of the energetic, New Orleans-based Bounce movement, Big Freedia isnand#8217;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.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; Big Freedia immediately pulls us into the relationship between her personal life and her career as an artist; being a and#8220;twerking sissyand#8221; is not just a job, she says, but a salvation. A place to find solace. To 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.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; In this eye-opening memoir that bursts with energy, youand#8217;ll learn the history of the Bounce movement and meet all of the colorful characters that pepper its music scene. With her own unique voice and unabashed enthusiasm, Big Freedia tells how she arrived at this defining moment in music, and how Bounce ultimately has allowed her to become her own version of diva, one booty-pop at a time.
Review
and#8220;On her show, Freedia comes off as affable and grateful and#8212; belying her diva persona and#8212; and these traits are only solidified and expanded in the book.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;Whether detailing the highs or the lows, Freediaand#8217;s tales pop as much as the booty that made her famous.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;God Save the Queen Diva is a snappily dictated story of inverted cultural norms in the wards of New Orleans.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;In andlt;Iandgt;Big Freedia: God Save the Queen Diva andlt;/Iandgt;(Gallery Books) the rapper goes deeper, with a tale that is as much a capsule history of the bounce-music world as it is his own story.and#8221;
About the Author
Big Freedia, born Freddie Ross, is a New Orleans hip-hop musician known for bringing andldquo;bounceandrdquo; from the underground music scene to the forefront of the industry. Known for her supreme star power and charismatic charm, Big Freedia has performed alongside such artists as pop duo Matt and Kim, Wiz Khalifa, and Snoop Dogg. Big Freediaandrsquo;s music success is complemented by her television stardom in the reality show andlt;Iandgt;Big Freedia: Queen of andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Bounceandlt;/Iandgt;, airing on the Fuse network. andlt;Iandgt;Big Freedia: God Save the Queen Diva! andlt;/Iandgt;is her first book.Nicole Balin was an editor at andlt;iandgt;Parentingandlt;/iandgt; magazine and andlt;iandgt;The Sourceandlt;/iandgt;, as well as a freelance writer for the andlt;iandgt;Los Angeles Timesandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The Source Sportsandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Rap Pagesandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Huffington Postandlt;/iandgt;, and andlt;iandgt;Blazeandlt;/iandgt;. Subsequently, she founded Ballin PR, which has represented artists including Linkin Park, Kool Keith, and Big Freedia.