Born on January 28, 1978, Freddie Ross Jr., better known by his stage name, Big Freedia, has made a name for himself in hip-hop and bounce music. With a career spanning over two decades, Big Freedia has become one of the most influential figures in New Orleans’ vibrant music scene.
He has not only popularized the genre of bounce music but has also been recognized for his unique style and energetic performances. In 2011, he was named Best Emerging Artist and Best Hip-Hop/Rap Artist, and in 2013, he got his reality show on the Fuse Channel. But aside from his successful career, what else do we know about Big Freedia?
What is his net worth, age, family background, and height? In this blog post, we will delve into the life and career of Big Freedia and take a closer look at the man behind the queen diva persona. So get ready to discover everything you need about Big Freedia in this comprehensive bio of the bounce music legend.
Big Freedia’s Biography/Wiki
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Big Freedia |
| Real Name | Big Freedia |
| Profession(s) | Rapper |
| Birthday | January 28, 1978 |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Age | 46 years |
| Gender | Female |
| Birthplace | New Orleans, United States |
| Hometown | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Father’s Name | Freedia Ross |
| Mother’s Name | Vera Ross |
| Brother’s Name | Adam Ross |
| Sister’s Name | Crystal Ross |
| Girlfriend | Devon |
| Ex-Girlfriend | – |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Net Worth (2024) | $10 Million |
Who is Big Freedia?
Big Freedia, a dynamic force in the music industry, is a rapper and performer from New Orleans. Known for his iconic bounce music, he has made this genre a sensation beyond the local underground scene. His energetic and flamboyant performances have gained him recognition and a loyal fan base.
He is not just confined to the music industry; he has extended his influence to the television world with his reality show on the Fuse Channel. His influence has transcended beyond the usual boundaries of the entertainment industry and has made a significant cultural impact.
Offstage, Freddie Ross Jr., the man behind Big Freedia, is a compelling figure who has shared his life experiences in his autobiography, God Save the Queen Diva! He continues to captivate audiences and inspire other artists with his unique style and unapologetic personality.
Big Freedia’s Early Life
Big Freedia, born Freddie Ross Jr., came into the world on January 28, 1978, in the vibrant city of New Orleans. His childhood was spent in the Uptown neighborhood, filled with diverse cultures and rich musical influences that would inspire his iconic style later.
From an early age, Freedia was immersed in the local music scene. His mother, a choir director, played a significant role in nurturing his musical talent, often inviting him to sing with the choir. This exposure to music from an early age not only honed his vocal skills but also fostered a deep appreciation for his city’s musical heritage.
Freedia’s affinity for the performing arts extended beyond singing. As a child, he performed at local neighborhood events and school functions, showcasing his dancing skills. His charismatic performances and unique dance style, filled with high energy and infectious enthusiasm, were a precursor to his later stage persona as a bounce artist.
Despite his passion for music, Freedia’s early life lacked struggles. Growing up in one of New Orleans’ most troubled neighborhoods, he faced the harsh realities of poverty, crime, and drugs. However, his challenging circumstances did not deter him from his love for music.
Instead, these experiences often found expression in his lyrics, providing a raw, authentic voice that resonated with many. During these formative years, Freedia started to develop the grit, resilience, and tenacity that would eventually drive his success in the music industry.
Big Freedia’s Education
Big Freedia’s educational journey reflects his passion for the arts and inherent talent. He attended Walter L. Cohen High School in New Orleans and was a member of the school’s choir and cheerleading squad. This environment further nurtured his musical and performing talents, allowing him to develop his unique style.
Freedia’s time in school was instrumental in honing his performing skills and leadership abilities, as he often led the cheerleading squad. After high school, Freedia attended a local community college, furthering his education while juggling his blossoming music career. Despite his challenging circumstances, his commitment to teaching and personal development remained unwavering, demonstrating his resilience and determination.
Big Freedia’s Family
Big Freedia was born to Vera Ross, a choir director, who played an instrumental role in developing Freedia’s musical talent from an early age. His exposure to music began in his mother’s choir, where he learned the fundamentals of singing. His family was a source of inspiration and support, helping to nurture his passion for music.
Sadly, in 2014, Big Freedia lost his mother to cancer, a devastating loss that impacted him deeply. He has often credited his mother for his success; her memory continues to influence his music. He has one brother, Adam Ross, and the bond between the siblings is reportedly strong.
Despite his fame, Big Freedia remains private about his family life, choosing to keep his loved ones away from the public eye. Nevertheless, his affection for his family and his hometown of New Orleans is evident in his music and his public statements.
Big Freedia’s Wife
Big Freedia’s love life has been a topic of interest among fans and the media, especially given his iconic status in the LGBTQ+ community. While Freedia has been open about his sexuality, he is relatively private about his romantic relationships. Currently, Big Freedia is reportedly single.
However, he was in a long-term relationship with Devon, regularly featured on Big Freedia’s reality show. The couple were together for over a decade before deciding to part ways in 2018. Despite the breakup, Freedia and Devon have maintained a close relationship.
The rapper is known for his bold, unapologetic personality on stage, but when it comes to his personal life, he prefers to keep it away from the limelight. However, he often advocates for the LGBTQ+ community and is seen as a positive role model for his fearless self-expression.
Big Freedia’s Career
Big Freedia’s career took off in the early 2000s when he began performing in local New Orleans clubs, quickly becoming popular in the city’s thriving music scene. His unique blend of energetic performances and bounce music, a sub-genre of hip-hop indigenous to New Orleans, soon caught audiences’ attention beyond the local scene.
In 2010, he released his first studio album, “Big Freedia Hitz Vol. 1”. The following year, he gained significant recognition, winning the Best Emerging Artist and Best Hip-Hop/Rap Artist awards at the “Best of the Beat Awards.” His popularity expanded further with the launch of his reality show, “Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce,” on the Fuse Channel in 2013.
The show ran for six seasons, giving audiences a glimpse into his life and career. In 2015, he released his autobiography “God Save the Queen Diva!”. His 2016 hit “Formation” with Beyoncé introduced him to a global audience and further established his influence in the music industry.
His most recent album, “Louder,” was released in 2020. Throughout his career, Big Freedia has remained a trailblazer, bringing bounce music to a broader audience while pushing the boundaries of gender and music.
Big Freedia’s Net Worth
Big Freedia’s success in the music industry, combined with his ventures in television and literature, has contributed significantly to his financial prosperity. According to reports, the bounce music pioneer’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million in 2024.
His earnings are derived from various sources, including album sales, live performances, and proceeds from his reality show on the Fuse Channel. Revenue from his autobiography, “God Save the Queen Diva!” also adds to his total wealth. Freedia’s collaborations with international stars, such as his feature on Beyoncé’s “Formation,” have expanded his reach and boosted his financial earnings.
Despite his challenges and struggles growing up, Big Freedia’s passion for music and relentless determination have led him to achieve critical acclaim and financial success.
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Ethnicity
Big Freedia, born Freddie Ross Jr., is African American. His ethnicity and upbringing in the culturally diverse city of New Orleans have significantly shaped his identity and music style. The African American community in New Orleans has a rich musical heritage, including genres like jazz, blues, and hip-hop, which have undoubtedly influenced Big Freedia’s bounce music.
His African American roots and the vibrant New Orleans culture contribute to his unique and captivating sound that resonates with audiences worldwide. Big Freedia’s embrace of his ethnic background is evident in his music and advocacy work within the LGBTQ+ community, where he continually champions diversity and acceptance.
TRIVIA
Did you know that Big Freedia held a Guinness World Record? In 2013, he set the record for the most people twerking simultaneously. Over 400 people joined him to dance in New York’s Herald Square. Despite his busy career, Big Freedia is also involved in charity work. He regularly contributes to the New Orleans community through various philanthropic initiatives, mainly focusing on support for LGBTQ+ youth.
A fun fact about his reality show – “Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce” was the highest-rated original series on Fuse Channel during its run. Finally, despite being known for high-energy performances, Big Freedia loves to cook and finds it therapeutic. He often shares his favorite recipes, adding a dash of his vibrant personality to each dish!
Before Fame
Before achieving his fame as a bounce artist, Big Freedia’s life was steeped in music from a young age. Growing up in the Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans, a vibrant area rich with cultural diversity and musical influences, young Freddie Ross Jr. was exposed to various genres.
His mother’s position as a choir director allowed him to explore his vocal talents, often singing in the choir. Beyond singing, Freedia exhibited an early passion for dance, performing at local events and school functions. His high-energy performances and unique dance style hinted at his future stage persona.
Despite growing up in a neighborhood plagued by poverty and crime, Freedia found solace and expression in music. His challenging circumstances became a source of inspiration, providing a raw authenticity to his lyrics that resonated with many. These formative experiences nurtured his musical talent and instilled a sense of resilience and tenacity that would fuel his future success in the music industry.
Hobbies
- Cooking: Big Freedia is passionate about cooking and often finds it to be a therapeutic activity. He enjoys experimenting with recipes and shares some of his favorite dishes with fans.
- Charitable Work: Much of Freedia’s time is dedicated to philanthropic activities, mainly supporting LGBTQ+ youth and the New Orleans community.
- Dancing: Dancing is not just part of his performances but also a favorite pastime. His love for dance is evident in his high-energy stage presence and his Guinness World Record for the most people twerking simultaneously.
- Music: Apart from creating his music, Freedia enjoys listening to different genres, paying homage to his diverse musical roots.
- Traveling: With a career that takes him worldwide, Freedia has developed a love for travel, often sharing his experiences on social media.
Big Freedia’s hobbies reflect his dynamic personality, love for his community, and passion for music and performing arts.
Favorite Things
- Favorite Cuisine: Known for his culinary skills, Big Freedia’s famous cuisine is Creole, a cuisine native to Louisiana, which is known for its rich flavors and diverse influences.
- Favorite Music: While Freedia’s music is deeply influenced by the New Orleans bounce scene, he enjoys listening to various genres, including jazz, blues, and gospel.
- Favorite City: Unsurprisingly, Big Freedia’s favorite city is New Orleans, which shaped him and continues to influence his life and music significantly significantly.
- Favorite Activity: Beyond his music, Freedia’s favorite activity is cooking. He finds it therapeutic and loves sharing his favorite recipes with fans.
- Favorite Book: Freedia’s favorite book is his autobiography, “God Save the Queen Diva!” in which he shares his journey from a struggling artist in New Orleans to becoming the Queen of Bounce.
- Favorite Philanthropic Cause: Freedia is particularly passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ youth and making a positive impact in his hometown, New Orleans.
Social Media
| Social Media Platform | Handle/Profile |
|---|---|
| @bigfreedia | |
| @bigfreedia | |
| Big Freedia | |
| YouTube | Big Freedia |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Big Freedia?
Big Freedia is an American musician, rapper, and reality TV personality known for popularizing New Orleans bounce music.
How did Big Freedia become famous?
Big Freedia became famous for popularizing New Orleans bounce music and bringing it to a broader audience.
What is New Orleans bounce music?
New Orleans bounce music is a subgenre of hip-hop that originated in New Orleans in the 1990s.
How has Big Freedia’s career evolved over the years?
Big Freedia’s career has evolved from that of a local artist in New Orleans to that of a national and international sensation.
What are some of Big Freedia’s notable achievements?
Big Freedia’s notable achievements include popularizing New Orleans bounce music, releasing several successful albums, and starring in the reality TV show ‘Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce.’
Conclusion
In conclusion, Big Freedia’s net worth stands at an impressive $7 million as of 2023. His success in the music industry, particularly in the bounce music genre, has contributed to his financial achievements. From his early beginnings in New Orleans to his collaborations with renowned artists like Beyoncé and Drake, Freedia has established himself as a prominent figure in the music world.
Furthermore, Big Freedia’s personal life and identity have significantly shaped his music and public image. As a gay man who embraces his “feminine side,” he has become an icon for the LGBTQ+ community, spreading a message of inclusivity and self-expression.
With ongoing projects and a dedicated fan base, Big Freedia’s journey is still ongoing. Fans can expect more music, collaborations, and exciting ventures from this talented artist. His net worth continues to grow, reflecting his ongoing success and the impact he has made in the music industry.
