Big Freedia is taking over — literally.
On Thursday (August 6), the Queen of Bounce joined actress and activist Erika Alexander in a special live takeover of Hillary Clinton’s Instagram account. Celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, and the late John Lewis’ monumental role in getting the legislation passed, the pair spoke about the issues that are important to them, and what it means to uplift black voices in today’s world.
For Freedia, one of the most important issues she’s fighting for is gun control, especially after losing her brother to gun violence in 2018. “No one needs to be walking around with semi-automatic weapons on these streets,” she said. “We have some of the worst gun laws here in Louisiana and it needs to change. My brother Adam was taken for no reason, for nonsense, and this has to change.”
Of course, the bounce icon also made clear her continued fight for LGBTQ rights in the age of Trump and beyond. “We have been fighting all of our lives just to be who we are.” she told Alexander. “We have been fighting to be loved and respected and to have the same opportunities as everybody else.”
When it comes to amplifying Black voices, Freedia knows what that means — the rapper came to even greater mainstream prominence after Beyoncé featured her voice in her video for “Formation,” which Freedia says was one of the most “life-changing” experiences of her career thus far. “She is paving the way for the Black nation, and I am still just so in awe of her,” she said of Bey, complimenting her latest film Black is King.
It’s not just Beyoncé who’s helped uplift Freedia in the past — rap superstar Drake also featured Freedia in his viral “Nice For What” video back in 2018, leading to yet another massive bump in her career. “I’m just fortunate enough to be grateful to [Beyoncé and Drake] because they have changed my life and my career. There is no better feeling than being accepted and having people who want to work with you.”
So, Freedia decided to pay it forward while chatting with Alexander by uplifting a number of other voices from the bounce community, including artists like Cheeky Blakk, DJ Jubilee, Partners-N-Crime and many more. “Just Google ‘bounce’ and you will be very entertained right now,” she added with a laugh.
Erika Alexander’s takeover of Hilary Clinton’s Instagram continues all day Thursday with special guests like Representative Ayanna Pressley, Tank of Tank and the Bangas and many more.