Check out Big Freedia’s KCRW guest DJ set from SXSW 2025 that featured the world radio premiere of “Take My Hand,” as well as host Novena Carmel’s Big Freedia primer that preceded the appearance.
Queen of New Orleans bounce, Big Freedia, will return to the gospel roots of her youth with a yet-to-be-titled album coming this summer and, of course, a big tour to surround it … hear the WORLD PREMIERE of the first single from that forthcoming album
Tune in for some serious gospel-house perfection as part of Freedia’s guest DJ visit which also features DJ Jubilee’s “We’re Gettin’ Ready,” Sylvester’s “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” and Luther Barnes & The Red Budd Gospel Choir’s “I’m Still Holding On“
“Explode” – Big Freedia
“Break My Soul” – Beyonce
“Strut” – Elohim
“We’re Gettin’ Ready” – DJ Jubilee
“You Make Me Feel” – Sylvester
“I’m Still Holding On” – Luther Barnes & The Red Budd Gospel Choir
"Big Freedia "Take My Hand" live at SXSW" by Big Freedia from Pressing Onward (Queen Diva Music - June 13, 2025). Great for Noncomm, AAA, Urban Alternative, Hip Hop, Gospel radio. Audience video shot and posted by Andre Rasmussen (youtube.com/@anderasmussen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeHdWphHO50
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Taken from Big Freedia's Gospel Revival SXSW Showcase Stubbs Thursday March 14, 2025
Big Freedia Releases “Take My Hand” – First Taste Of Forthcoming Gospel Project
Follows Acclaimed SXSW Performance With Spiritually Liberating New Track
Today, celebrated musical trailblazer, New Orleans cultural royalty, and the Queen of Bounce Big Freedia releases “Take My Hand”, her latest track and a spiritually charged first taste of what’s to come from her forthcoming gospel project (more details to follow). With a cathartically joyous beat and a spirituality forged in Freedia’s own religious upbringing & faith, “Take My Hand” is an emotionally stirring powerhouse bop that will take fans old and new to church with Freedia’s undeniable and unwavering charisma, alongside an effective sample of famed gospel preacher & pastor Dr. C.J. Johnson.
Today’s release follows a dynamite showing at SXSW last week, where Big Freedia partnered with a live choir to debut some of her forthcoming material in a performance that Rolling Stone called “exuberant, joyful and inclusive”. Catch footage from the acclaimed appearance via the official video for “Take My Hand” HERE.
The essence of “Take My Hand” (and the forthcoming project) connects deeply with Big Freedia who served as the choir director for her high school and home church in NOLA, and regularly performed with the New Orleans Gospel Music Workshop of America, and the New Orleans Gospel Soul Children Choir.
“Welcome to the Queendom! I’m so excited to release the first song off my upcoming Gospel Project,” shared Big Freedia. “My music has always spread messages of love, joy, freedom, and inclusivity. This is no different. The world needs this, and I can’t wait for y’all to hear it.”” Beyond her critically acclaimed music and deep-rooted New Orleans legacy, Big Freedia is celebrated for her high-profile collaborations—most notably her standout feature on Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning hit “Break My Soul” as well as Kesha’s “Raising Hell” and with Lizzo on “Karaoke”. Beyond music, The Queen of Bounce is the executive producer and star of her long-running TV show Big Freedia Bounces Back (Fuse TV), and Big Freedia Means Business ( FUSE , WOW+) , and released her memoir Big Freedia: God Save The Queen Diva in 2015. She launched a cannabis line called Royal Bud in 2022 and plans to open her first hotel in New Orleans in 2026.