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Moody Amphitheater | Austin, TX

Austin blues festival: two-day pass, austin blues festival: single-day (sunday).

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Nashville Municipal Auditorium | Nashville, TN

Blavity house party music festival, latest setlist, big freedia on december 3, 2023.

Christmas in Central City

Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee

Note: Big Freedia's Christmas In Central City Tour featuring Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph

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Big Freedia tour dates 2024

Big Freedia is currently touring across 1 country and has 6 upcoming concerts.

Their next tour date is at Moody Amphitheater in Austin, after that they'll be at Moody Amphitheater again in Austin.

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Upcoming concerts (6) See nearest concert

Austin Blues Festival

OUTLOUD Music Festival

Blavity House Party Music Festival

Mosswood Meltdown

NOLA Funk Fest

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Tipitina's

Orpheum Theater

Brighton Music Hall

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Recent tour reviews

Big Freedia shows never disappoint! The energy on stage is so contagious and they never fail to get the crowd’s booties popping! The Queen Diva and her dancers bring it every. damn. time.

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Amazing! I'd never heard of The Sweet Crude until that night and they were AMAZING! The DJ was Crunk and Freedia made me burn calories. I had so much fun!

Freedia, We loved your show. The best show ever. Can't wait to see you in May. You are the Queen of bounce, Queen of New Orleans, our QueenB

We had so much fun at the show we can't stop talking about it. I had friends here for Mardi Gras from Mobile, Houston, and Ohio. They can't wait to come to the next show in May.

Can't wait for the new season on television. When does it start? Soon I hope.

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Kesha Announces North American Tour With Big Freedia

With a new album due out later this month, the GRAMMY-nominated pop pioneer teams up with the New Orleans bounce icon for a 26-date trek

On Jan. 31, Kesha will drop her highly anticipated fourth album, High Road . Today, the GRAMMY-nominated artist announced plans to hit the road in support of the album starting in April, and she'll be bringing along New Orleans bounce icon Big Freedia on select dates.

The 26-city tour will kick off April 21 in Sugar Land, Texas, and span across North America through early June, wrapping up in Windsor, Ontario on June 5.

High Road will arrive as Kesha's follow-up to 2017's Rainbow , which earned her GRAMMY nominations for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Praying." The new album's lead single, "Raising Hell," features Big Freedia. Kesha has also teased the new project with "Resentment" featuring Brian Wilson and Sturgill Simpson.

Watch: 'On Location: New Orleans' Takes You To Birthplace Of Jazz And Bounce

A full list of dates and ticket info is available via Ticketmaster .

Taylor Swift To Receive Vanguard Award At 2020 GLAAD Media Awards

Students participate in Getting Funky In Havana

Photo: Eduardo Reyes Aranzaez

At Getting Funky In Havana, Young Musicians Feel The Power Of Cross-Cultural Connection

An annual program organized by the Trombone Shorty Foundation and Cimafunk, Getting Funky In Havana explores the deep connections between Cuba and New Orleans — and provides student musicians with once-in-a-life-time learning opportunities.

It’s sweltering inside the Guillermo Tomas Music Conservatory, a primary school in Havana’s Guanabacoa neighborhood, where American visitors enjoy what will likely be the best school recital they'll ever see.

A series of teen and tween musicians — some in trios and quartets, others in larger ensembles — are playing a mix of Latin jazz, orchestral overtures and even a rousing rendition of the Ghostbusters theme. During an interpolation of Aretha Franklin 's "Think," three young horn players burst to the front of the group in a competitive but friendly battle of brass.

The performance is the centerpiece of Getting Funky in Havana , a four-day music and cultural exchange program developed by GRAMMY-nominated Cuban funk artist Cimafunk , GRAMMY-winning New Orleans multi-instrumentalist Trombone Shorty 's namesake foundation , and Cuba Educational Travel . Now in its third year, Getting Funky brought nearly 200 American music lovers, artists and students to Havana in January to explore the deep connections between Cuban and New Orlenian sounds through a series of performances, educational activities and panels.

"Cuba and New Orleans have a long line of influence, and we have special things that happen in both places that people can hear through our music," Trombone Shorty, born Troy Andrews, tells GRAMMY.com. "Passing along music and knowledge is…how the music's staying alive. I always try to tell the kids, learn everything that came before you, but also be very innovative."

While there are many conservatories in Havana, Guillermo Tomas was chosen in part for its similarities to New Orleans' Treme neighborhood, where many of the Trombone Shorty Foundation students live. Guanabacoa is "probably the deepest Afro-Cuban cultural neighborhood" in Havana, says Foundation Executive Director Bill Taylor.

Those shared roots and experiences were on display during several capstone concerts, which were also open to Havana residents. At a massive outdoor concert blocks away from Havana's famous Malecón, Getting Funky attendees enjoyed performances from Cuban salsa legends Los Van Van , reparto star Wampi and Shorty's Orleans Avenue. At a pinnacle performance the day before, more than 30 artists gathered at Havana arts hub La Fabrica for a sold-out international jam. Shorty, Big Freedia, Ivan Neville , percussionist Pedrito Martinez, PJ Morton , Tarriona "Tank" Ball, drummer Yissy Garcia and others joined forces with Cuban artists Reina y Real and X Alfonzo to create an unceasing groove.

Getting Funky In Havana outside school embed

Cuban and American students perform outside Guillermo Tomas┃Eduardo Reyes Aranzaez

While the concerts certainly brought the energy to a fever pitch, the beating heart of Getting Funky is its mission of music education. Ten members of the Trombone Shorty Foundation's brass band traveled to Cuba, where they performed at Getting Funky's opening night party and several other events. Throughout the week, the New Orleans students shared stages with their Cuban counterparts, learning each others' musical idioms and finding common ground.

"So much of the music [we hear in New Orleans comes] from Africa through the Caribbean to New Orleans, then spreading throughout the United States. When our students connect with those [Cuban] students, there's a natural, symbiotic connection that takes place," Taylor says.

High school senior and sax player Dylan Racine called the trip — his first time out of the country — a life-changing experience. "I learned so many new skills on this trip, including how to network, how to collaborate with young people from a different culture than me, and more," he says via email. Drummer and pianist John Rhodes, another senior, added that the experience was invaluable.

"I was able to interact with another culture and understand other young people through music. Although we couldn't speak the same language, we understood each other musically," he writes.

Both Cuba and New Orleans' unique musical cultures require constant innovation to survive, Taylor adds. "You honor the past, but it needs an infusion of new life in order to thrive. Getting Cuban musicians together with New Orleans musicians infuses a shot of energy into both of those musical styles."

The trip also put students from both countries in contact with working musicians, whose own perspectives were expanded by the experience.

"Music education and pedagogical expertise is so important. We need the next level to come up and be dope, just like we are," says trumpeter Keyon Harrold, whose work has taken him from sessions with Beyoncé to the 2024 GRAMMYs . This was Harrold’s second year at Getting Funky. "It's even more visceral and engaging to actually see these kids at the age of 10, 11, 12, and to know that in five years they're going to be the next."

For many of the musicians who attended, Getting Funky was an inspirational experience that furthered their existing work as well. "I perform for a living, but performing and playing with [students] is super dope. [Their energy is] clean," says GRAMMY-winning producer, rapper and mentor Deezle . "If I can in any way help to guide their path away from the pitfalls that I've encountered and endured, I would love to do that."

Legendary singer/songwriter Ivan Neville said he was blown away while watching young musicians from different worlds performing together. "This music was making their souls feel so good. I know music is good for the soul, but it was another level that I saw."

Fabio Daniel (center) and members of Primera Linea, or "first line"┃Eduardo Reyes Aranzaez

Since Getting Funky In Havana was established in 2020 , the program has had a measurable impact on Cuban students' lives. In 2023, several young Cuban musicians traveled to New Orleans during JazzFest, where they visited Shorty’s studio and performed together at legendary venue Tipitina's. When the group returned home, they formed their own brass band, Primera Linea.

"This band is working; they are playing many places in Havana and that's thanks to the project. They were so into the satisfaction of [feeling] that they are valued," says Erik Alejandro Iglesias Rodríguez, who records as Cimafunk. "They are learning good quality things in terms of human relationships and in terms of music. [The program is] something that changes their mentality and lets them know that they can make it."

While Cuba harbors an incredible amount of musical talent, "making it" as a musician in the country comes with a unique set of challenges. The country's shrinking economy , high rate of inflation and low monthly incomes have 62 percent of Cubans reporting that they "struggle to survive" financially, according to a 2023 survey . Purchasing a professional calibur instrument, which may cost hundreds or thousands of U.S. dollars, often comes with great sacrifice.

It's an emotional day back at the Guillermo Tomas, where 10 of the school's top students will be awarded an instrument.

"An instrument is not something you can buy in a store," says Amanda Colina González, an art historian and one of the trip guides, who studied saxophone in conservatory. Colina González, like the majority of students, was given an instrument to play for the duration of her studies but had to return it to her school upon graduation. Remembering that moment brought tears to her eyes.

Because of its high cost and the possibility of leading to international travel, owning their own instrument can truly change a young musician's life. Getting Funky has donated approximately 50 instruments to Cuban students over three years of programming.

Fifteen-year-old Daniela Hernandez was awarded a trombone for her skill and dedication to music outside of school. Harried and teary-eyed after the recital, she shared her happiness and pride for being able to play with musicians who she's long admired. She plans to use her new trombone to study and will "take it with me everywhere."

Daniela and classmate Fabio Daniel (who received a trumpet during the first edition of Getting Funky in Havana in 2020) joined Trombone Shorty onstage at Getting Funky, performing for more than 15,000 people. Several of their friends and classmates brought their instruments to the concert — the largest held in Cuba in the last four years — and played back at the band from the crowd.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Trombone Shorty Foundation (@shortyfoundation)

"Cuban musicians really enjoy playing and making other people feel joy through music,” Daniela says. Fellow trombone player and awardee Cristian Onel León says it's important to play for people outside of Cuba, and enjoys teaching people about his country's rhythms and keys. "I’m [also] learning other forms of playing, that aren’t mine. And it feels good,” he adds.

The program's instrument donation is spearheaded by the long-running nonprofit Horns To Havana , and supported by the Gia Maione Prima Foundation and private donors. Tickets purchased to attend the program also fund its efforts; Taylor says 2024's Getting Funky raised approximately $50,000. The Trombone Shorty Foundation hopes to continue the annual event, and expand into different countries; a 2025 Havana trip is already in the works.

For Rodríguez, who recently moved to New Orleans, the effect of this musical exchange is tangible. He's noticed more musicians who are open to collaborating across borders, and is working on new music with artists who have attended Getting Funky in previous years.

"Just jamming changes everything," he says. "That changes the minds of people; that changes the sound."

The connections made during Getting Funky have led to a variety of opportunities for students on both sides of the Gulf of Mexico. Foundation alto saxophonist Jacob Jones credits the trip for broadening his way of thinking while playing music; Deezle says he wants to get Cuban trumpeter and bandleader Fabio Daniel on a track; Primera Linea may perform at San Francisco's Outside Lands festival in August.

"To be able to facilitate that, and give to these young musicians of Cuba, is unbelievable," Andrews says of the program. "It's just a blessing to be able to be a blessing and help out the next generation, and help those musicians see a brighter future."

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Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

GRAMMY Rewind: Kendrick Lamar Honors Hip-Hop's Greats While Accepting Best Rap Album GRAMMY For 'To Pimp a Butterfly' In 2016

Upon winning the GRAMMY for Best Rap Album for 'To Pimp a Butterfly,' Kendrick Lamar thanked those that helped him get to the stage, and the artists that blazed the trail for him.

Updated Friday Oct. 13, 2023 to include info about Kendrick Lamar's most recent GRAMMY wins, as of the 2023 GRAMMYs.

A GRAMMY veteran these days, Kendrick Lamar has won 17 GRAMMYs and has received 47 GRAMMY nominations overall. A sizable chunk of his trophies came from the 58th annual GRAMMY Awards in 2016, when he walked away with five — including his first-ever win in the Best Rap Album category.

This installment of GRAMMY Rewind turns back the clock to 2016, revisiting Lamar's acceptance speech upon winning Best Rap Album for To Pimp A Butterfly . Though Lamar was alone on stage, he made it clear that he wouldn't be at the top of his game without the help of a broad support system.

"First off, all glory to God, that's for sure," he said, kicking off a speech that went on to thank his parents, who he described as his "those who gave me the responsibility of knowing, of accepting the good with the bad."

Looking for more GRAMMYs news? The 2024 GRAMMY nominations are here!

He also extended his love and gratitude to his fiancée, Whitney Alford, and shouted out his Top Dawg Entertainment labelmates. Lamar specifically praised Top Dawg's CEO, Anthony Tiffith, for finding and developing raw talent that might not otherwise get the chance to pursue their musical dreams.

"We'd never forget that: Taking these kids out of the projects, out of Compton, and putting them right here on this stage, to be the best that they can be," Lamar — a Compton native himself — continued, leading into an impassioned conclusion spotlighting some of the cornerstone rap albums that came before To Pimp a Butterfly .

"Hip-hop. Ice Cube . This is for hip-hop," he said. "This is for Snoop Dogg , Doggystyle . This is for Illmatic , this is for Nas . We will live forever. Believe that."

To Pimp a Butterfly singles "Alright" and "These Walls" earned Lamar three more GRAMMYs that night, the former winning Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song and the latter taking Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (the song features Bilal , Anna Wise and Thundercat ). He also won Best Music Video for the remix of Taylor Swift 's "Bad Blood."

Lamar has since won Best Rap Album two more times, taking home the golden gramophone in 2018 for his blockbuster LP DAMN ., and in 2023 for his bold fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers .

Watch Lamar's full acceptance speech above, and check back at GRAMMY.com every Friday for more GRAMMY Rewind episodes.

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Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Firefly Music Festival

A Guide To Southern Hip-Hop: Definitive Releases, Artists & Subgenres From The Dirty South

A geographical region far larger than the coasts, the South stretches from Texas to Virginia and includes myriad subgenres. Home to Outkast, Big Freedia, Ludacris and many others, the Third Coast has something to say in its own language.

For decades, hip-hop was regulated to New York, even though its musical stylings traveled to neighboring cities such as Boston and Philadelphia. In those cities, hip-hop was a cultural production of the city’s individual sound and history, rather than that of an entire region.

The power of L.A.'s emergent style of gangsta rap was the first attempt by an outsider to change hip-hop. As L.A. rappers began to give those from NYC rappers a challenge, the surrounding cities were solidified under the East Coast banner.

Often lost in the retelling of hip-hop’s birth are cities, regions and states in between the coasts. This absence may be due to the concentration of record labels and media corporations on the East and West Coast, or ill-informed beliefs that classify sections of the nation as backwards.

But expressions of hip-hop are expansive, and its culture is well represented in the South. A geographical region far larger than the coasts, the South stretches from Texas to Virginia. Along state lines, hip-hop finds itself at the intersection of Southernness and Blackness, leading to the creation of myriad subgenres.

Hip-hop sound traveled to New Orleans, where bounce was born in the city’s housing projects, and to Memphis where it became buck and crunk. In Atlanta, snap and trap music reign supreme, while electronic bass booms along the beaches of Miami. In every state, hip-hop took on a new voice, new moniker, and new identity.

With each innovation, the sound was able to expand beyond state lines to a diverse, wide ranging language along the region. Instead of accommodating the voices of the East or the West, the South a.k.a. the Third Coast entered into hip-hop with something to say in its own language.

Listen to the Spotify playlist below or visit Amazon Music , Pandora and Apple Music and take a journey through the diverse sounds of Southern hip-hop.

A Brief History Of Dirty South Hip-Hop

The birth of Southern hip-hop begins at the 1995 Source Awards, where Atlanta based hip-hop duo OutKast won Best New Artist and Best New Rap of the Year for their debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik . As André 3000 and Big Boi walked on stage, they were put with a chorus of boos. Although the ceremony was held at the height of East vs. West Coast rivalry, the coasts agreed on a singular purpose: The South had no claim to hip-hop.

There’s one thing the coasts don’t know about Southerns, especially Black Southerners. When your people and community have been culturally, socially, and politically oppressed, a few boos don’t feel like much. This resistance was evident in André 3000’s impassioned delivery of an acceptance speech, that served not only as a rebuke of bicoastal elites but a reverent call to arms for every rapper in the Southern United States.

"It’s like this though. I’m tired of folks. You know what I’m saying? Close minded folks. You know what I’m saying? It’s like we got a demo tape and nobody wants to hear it. But it’s like this. The South got something to say. That’s all I got to say."

Those words, uttered by a young André 3000, echoed through the South. Although the Atlanta group was the first Southern group to achieve mainstream recognition for their work, the first Southern hip-hop group to reach commercial success was the Geto Boys from Houston. Texas — a state, which is often referred to as its country, an amalgamation of different regional dialects and sounds — laid the foundation for André’s charge.

After the duo left The Source Awards stage, they swore to Goodie Mob, another Atlanta based group in attendance, "One day they’re gonna have to f— with us." Months after the 1995 Source Awards, Goodie Mob released their own critically acclaimed debut, Soul Food . The album propelled Southern hip-hop to the masses, and featured a track entitled "Dirty South." The term, first used by Atlanta rapper Cool Breeze, gave a name to the burgeoning hip-hop movement south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Instead of rejecting the coastal elitism of hip-hop, the Dirty South embraced it — in fact they sold it. Rappers from the Dirty South did not emulate New York or L.A style; they reinterpreted and investigated cultural perceptions and stereotypes about being country, backwards, forgotten to the time and the nation. Southern rappers also interrogated America’s past, present and future. For Black Southerners — whose cultural hallmarks and cornerstones are distinctly entwined with remnants of the Confederacy, the Klan, and the Civil Rights movement — hip-hop gave the ability to document a region and people lost to the American consciousness.

The aesthetics of Southern hip-hop were rooted in the power and reclamation of things once thought to be country: Gold dental crowns evolved into grills; the four pack of oversized white tees from the dollar store became a nightlife staple; André 3000, Pastor Troy, Lil Jon and Ludacris reinterpreted the Confederate flag. The attire of strippers from across the South became the blueprint for women’s fashion. Cash Money introduced " Bling Bling " into the American consciousness.

While East Coast rap was heavily influenced by musical stylings of immigrants from the Caribbean with notes of funk and soul, rap in the Dirty South took inspiration from blues and gospel — genres birthed from hymns and psalms sung in the fields and plantations. The Dirty South brought their ancestors with them. Their rap style and delivery had an inherent country twang, an accent reminiscent of a period lost to time yet modern; its incorporation of rock 'n' roll, jazz, and funk embodied a contemporary Southern spirit.

If the introduction of West Coast rap struck fear in the East Coast, the South was a laughing stock, until the South started to sell in the early to mid 2000s. Some critics attribute the ascension of Southern hip-hop to the fatigue of the East vs. West Coast rivalry. Others say hip-hop was in need of a new start after the early passings of the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur . Whether both claims are true or false, the Dirty South was the future.

Notable Southern Hip-Hop Artists & Labels

Atlanta: The epicenter of the Dirty South. In the early 1980s, Atlanta' hip-hop started to get its foothold with airplay on local radio stations, artists being signed to Miami-based record labels, and early success on the music charts and the GRAMMYs. Rapper Mo-Jo, club DJ King Edward J, and Peter "MC Shy D" Jones were among the first in the city’s hip-hop community. At the time Jones was signed to Luke Records, a Miami based record label started by Luke Campbell of the 2 Live Crew. The hyper localized scene benefited from the contributions of club DJs Kizzy Rock and DJ Smurf, who shifted Atlanta’s sound from a Miami bass derivative into a distinctive sound.

From the mid 1980s, a number of local record labels emerged: Ichiban Records and Wrap Records. However when Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth " Babyface " Edmonds moved to Atlanta in 1989, the local hip-hop scene changed. In the 1990s, their LaFace Records signed Goodie Mob , Outkast , producers Organized Noize, TLC , Usher , Xscape and others. Meanwhile, Jermaine Dupri founded So So Def record label. Under the direction of Lil Jon, the label’s A&R, the label signed Xscape, Da Brat , Jagged Edge , and more acts aligned with the R&B/hip-hop sound. As the signees of LaFace and So So Def Records triumphed, Def Jam Records hired Scarface of the Geto Boys to lead their Southern division, Def Jam South, which signed Ludacris .

As a solo artist Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz released "We Still Crunk Up!,"" Put Yo Hood Up ,""Kings of Crunk," and "Crunk Juice," a series of albums credited with bringing crunk into the mainstream. The popularity of crunk and dance music was heralded by Crime Mob , D4L , Dem Franchise Boyz , Soulja Boy and more who gave Atlanta hip-hop prominence not only in music but Internet culture.

New Orleans: In the aftermath of bounce music’s expansion in the early 1990s, Parkway Pumpkin’ Records was the holding place of New Orleans’ talent. Mystikal , known then as Mystikal Mike, was one of the label’s early signees. Along with Magnolia Slim, an architect of the New Orleans hip-hop sound. At the time, Parkway Pumpkin were free to record with other labels like Big Boy Records. When Master P moved back home from the Bay Area, his No Limit Records existed alongside local independent record labels like Cash Money, Take Fo’, Tombstone and Untouchable.

In a strategic business move, No Limit Records took Mystikal, Soulja Slim (formerly known as Magnolia Slim), and producer KLC from Parkway Pumpkin. As well as the signing of his family members C-Murder , Silkk the Shocker , Master P signed Mia X , the first lady of No Limit Records to the label. KLC, known as Craig S. Lawson, formed Beats by the Pound, the production behind No Limit Records. One of his first productions, Down South Hustlers , a compilation tape that featured New Orleans' first rap group New York Incorporated, signified No Limit Records attempt to exemplify Dirty South culture. Although No Limit Records secured a major label investment in 1996, Cash Money Records emerged in 1998 as a challenger with their new signees of Juvenile , Big Tymers , Hot Boys , and Lil Wayne with production by Mannie Fresh.

Memphis: At Club No Name, the first club in Memphis to play hip-hop, DJ Spanish Fly originated as one of the first creators to bring Memphis rap into shape. Although the patrons’ preference skewed towards electro, DJ Fly would incorporate his own preferences into mixes at Club No Name, Club Expo, and the Crystal Palace Skating Rink. His mixes maintained an ominous groove that included notes of electro but made room for moody rap. Though DJ Spanish Fly was among the first to evolve Memphis rap, DJ Squeeky defined the city’s sound with the insertion of a SP-1200 and Roland keyboard.

His influence can be heard in early mixtapes from DJ Paul and Juicy J. DJ Paul and Lord Infamous, his half brother formed the Serial Killaz . When the duo met with Juicy J, the three formed The Backyard Posse . Over time, the group added Koopsta Knicca, Crunchy Black, and Gangsta Boo . The six person group was renamed Three 6 Mafia and released their first album, Mystic Stylez under Prophet Records. Mystic Stylez also featured the female rapper La Chat and Project Pat , the brother of Juicy J. Shortly after their deal, the group parted ways with Prophet and formed their own label Hypnotize Minds. La Chat also released "Murder She Spoke," her debut album on the record label.

Under the direction of DJ Paul and Juicy J, the rappers under the Hypnotize Minds label achieved commercial and critical success, as well as an Academy Award for It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp " for Hustle & Flow , a drama set in Memphis that follows DJay (played by Terrence Howard), a pimp and drug dealer with aspirations of becoming a rapper.

Miami: Before hip-hop migrated down from New York, Miami already had a DJ style . In Miami, the DJs would be "regulating": or "mic checkin','' where the DJ brought down the record for a short period of time and insert their own lyrics to remix the song in a similar fashion to reggae and dancehall DJs. In the late 1970s and early 1980s , DJs would travel with their generators, turntables, speakers, and equipment to perform in public and private spaces across the city.

As local DJs put their spin on hip-hop, the city’s rappers energetic sound which came to be known as Miami bass, a diasporic influenced heavy bass sound that contained elements of electro and synthesizers were heard in the music of the Gucci Crew, Clay D, MC A.D.E., and the 2 Live Crew . The 2 Live Crewwas the first to bring the Miami bass sound to the mainstream. The group released their albums under then Skyywalker Records (now Luke Records), member Luther Campbell’s record label. Their success came at a cost. The sexually explicit nature of their lyrics resulted in a federal court obscenity trial, which established the precedent for censorship in music.

In the mid to late 1990s, Slip-n-Slide Records, a label founded by Ted Lucas, signed Trick Daddy , a Liberty City resident who thematically used the language of gangsta rap to speak about the struggles and challenges of living in a disenfranchised area. However, it was Trina who joined Trick Daddy on " Nann N—a ," who put the city, its women, and women across the Dirty South with her as refuted Trick Daddy on his own track. "Da Baddest Bitch," her debut album released on Slip N Slide label put her in conversation with Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown as a contender for the Queen of hip-hop title.

Subgenres Of Southern Hip-Hop

For the past two decades, the Dirty South has been responsible for hip-hop’s expansion and evolution. The region has conducted a variety of sonic experiments and melodic sounds to produce an expansive lexicon that represents the conflict, tension, and joy about being Black in the South.

Southern hip-hop does not shy away from the underground, but rather embraces it. The music in itself is a contradiction: A track used for shaking ass at the strip clubs, while patrons eat chicken wings, can originate from a gospel beat. Because to be Black in the South, where your ancestors were once enslaved, is disorienting.

Bounce music : New Orleans has a vast musical history and structure: The chanting of the Mardi Gras Indians, the brass of the second line bands, and the expressiveness of parade culture cultivated a music of lively and celebration. When hip-hop arrived, it incorporated notes of the existing styles into a call-and-response formula over a series of rhythmic beats which invoked attendees into dance. Originating in the city's housing projects, this new style of bounce music took a new life in the city’s nightlife. Folks felt called to participate in the chanting, the hyper-localized lyrics, and high energy drum patterns familiar to second line culture. Although Big Freedia, is known as the Queen of Bounce Music, and rightfully so. The musician got their start working with Katey Red, " the first trans woman bounce artist. "

Buck music : Within Memphis’ skating rinks and club cultures a dance music that ricocheted through the body, was born. Local DJs reinterpreted samples of soul and funk music, keyboard melodies of the Black church, with distinctive time signatures and cadences, on top of electronic-focused bass to give rise to a lexicon of dance styles including jookin’ and stomping. The heavy bass music stylings of Memphis also gave birth to trap and crunk, two styles most associated with Atlanta.

Crunk music : What would crunk music be without its patron saint Lil Jon ? Although the rapper-producer cannot lay claim to the origins of the musical style, in the early 2000s, Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz brought crunk to popular culture. Known for its party-centered lyrics and uptempo rhythms, crunk music became synonymous with Atlanta’s club and strip culture. The shouting, the energetic call and response, the chanting; crunk became the loud, bold, vocal expression of the city’s youth and music culture. To be crunk was to be excited.

Snap music : Snap music, an Atlanta-based form of hip-hop, was ushered in by the rise of handheld technology and social media sites like YouTube in the early 2000s. In lieu of a snare or clap, a snap was inserted as a replacement, often complemented by a whistle. The songs, which shared components of crunk, were exemplified by an accompanying dance and uploaded to social media sites (in much the same way Gen Z does on TikTok).

Miami bass : Miami, the city of two Souths. One foot in the Southern United States, the other in the geographical South. The demographic, geographic, and cultural mix of Cuban and Haitian, as well as Southern Blackness, produced an eccentric style of hip-hop. Elongated bass built on layered rhythmic production, and short, repetitive phrases ushered in a shout and response style became hallmarks of Miami bass. Played around 125 beats per minute, the style flourished in Miami’s car scene as well as party and adult entertainment culture.

Trap music : If crunk and snap music were symbols of the jovial Atlanta, then trap emerged as a symbol of the city and Black America’s underground. In a nation where Black communities experienced the onslaught of War on Drugs policies and excessive policing, the only way towards economic freedom was to hustle, and the hymn of the hustle and struggle was trap. Embedded with the dark lyrical content, multilayered kick drums, hi hats and synthesized drums was the moodiness of the duffle bag boy trying to survive. Over time, a holy trinity of the Roland TR-808, snare rolls, and first hand experience gave birth to a style where dope boys could be referred to as kings.

Definitive Southern Hip-Hop Songs

Three 6 Mafia - "Tear Da Club Up '97" (1997) : The conveying of electric bodies in movement can result in one of two ways. The first, a baby. The second, an ass whooping. The club is also a multifaceted place where you can meet the love of your life or the person (or people) who have been "talkin' that s—," as Three 6 Mafia say. This is the environment where "Tear Da Club Up" resides.

The song serves as a call to action. On a good night, the song is a declaration of celebration. On a bad night, an ominous premonition of what’s to come. "Tear Da Club Up" was banned in 17 states, but established the precedent for crunk anthems like "Knuck If You Buck," and the movement of club-esque songs that served a dual purpose for fighting.

"Tear Da Club Up" remains a reminder of what a night out looks like with Three 6 Mafia.

Gangsta Boo -"Where Dem Dollas At" (1998) : In an industry, where the contributions of Black women are used to build the empires of men in hip-hop, Gangsta Boo refused to be silenced. She knew that the voices of young Black women and girls from the South, belonged at that table.

While Juicy J and DJ Paul used Three 6 Mafia to construct their own kingdom in the Third Coast, Gangsta Boo did not sit idly by. Her appearances on Three 6 Mafia's "Mystic Stylez" and "Enquiring Minds" were small glimpses of her power, but her christening was "Where Dem Dollas At." The Queen of Memphis had arrived.

Her presence made the appearance of Juicy J and DJ Paul irrelevant. Her lines became a chant, a psalm, a swift rebuke for every woman who had been taken advantage of by a man and needed a fierce reminder of their power. It made men in Memphis and hip-hop understand exactly what it meant to be a lady from the Third Coast: to endure, to preserve, and to hustle when the odds are against you. To this day if you hear a woman recite "Where Dem Dollas At," know she has conjured the spirit of Gangsta Boo and it would be best to return the money owed by you.

Trick Daddy feat. Trina - "Nann N—" (1998) : Hip-hop has always encouraged the back and forth among emcees — the exchanging of verses, the pointed attention to detail, the eventual crescendo to eviscerate an opponent. There is a reason why battle rap is tethered to its name. Although the spirit of competition has always been omnipresent, the battles were always centered around men. Whenever a woman enters the battle and annihilates an opponent — as Roxanne Shanté did at the Battle for World Supremacy — the man still emerges as the victor. It was as if femininity was the deciding factor of who could win a battle or not. Until Trina came around.

That is not to say Trina was the first to win a one-on-one battle with a male MC. But, she is the first to utilize femininity in a pointed way to take down an opponent. The first half of "Nann N—" is an elongated list of the ways masculinity has empowered Trick Daddy. In the second half, Trina details the ways her femininity grants her access to things Trick Daddy could not even dream of. The deployment of her sly, viperous lines and sweet, Southern wit took apart Trick Daddy’s line bit by bit. Until she was left as the last person standing.

The positive reception and response to "Nann N—" placed Trina in conversation with the women rappers of that era, and laid the framework for the next generation of women rappers from the South.

Juvenile feat. Mannie Fresh & Lil Wayne - "Back That Azz Up" (1999) : The opening notes of "Back That Azz Up" are all it takes for people to throw their booties in a series of fashions. Whether circular or up down, the song does not shake about the positionality of where you throw ass, as long as you are shaking it.

The holy trinity of Mannie Fresh, Juvenile and Lil Wayne not only introduced New Orleans bounce music into the mainstream, but jump started Cash Money Records' takeover of the 2000s. There is no greater party song, revered by people of all generations, genders, races, and creeds than "Back That Azz Up."

Crime Mob feat. Lil Scrappy - "Knuck If You Buck" (2004): For Black youth in the South, there are few outlets to express rage. Crunk music is emo music for Black people, and provides the language to release and move through the torments of being Black in America. For a group of teenagers from outside of Atlanta, Crime Mob were the originators of this type of youth-specific music.

The group, composed of M.I.G., Cyco Black, Princess, Lil' Jay, Diamond, and Killa C. were the voices of young Black Atlanta.

Recorded in a closet at producer Lil Jay’s house with a knockout track by his little sister, Princess, "Knuck If You Buck" became a rallying cry for Southern teens. With a beat inspired by a brawl at Lil Jay’s house and the stylings of DJ Paul and Juicy J, the song quickly became the group’s biggest hit.

"Yeah, we knuckin and buckin and ready to fight. I betcha I'ma throw them things, so haters best to think twice," became the go-to chant for a country-ass brawl. With the addition of Diamond’s delivery of "Bitch you irrelevant, step to my residence. Best to back up 'fore I fill you with lead," in the fourth line; the song solidified the pair (Diamond and Princess) as the breakout stars on the collective track.

Their presence welcomed women to the crunk fight. Where their verbal expressions of anger and violence were warmly received for over 15 years, generations of Black youth have sought solace in this song and whooped ass to it as well.

Southern Hip-Hop Artists On the Rise

If the Dirty South is the future, the future of Southern hip-hop is female. Jucee Froot, GloRilla , Doechii, Kaliii, KenTheMan, Monaleo, TiaCorine and Baby Tate are among the latest rappers to carry the Dirty South sound and aesthetic. Meanwhile, Saucy Santana and Lil Nas X are changing the South's presentation in terms of gender identity and expression.

Cultural and societal perceptions of the South have changed greatly, in due part to a new generation of entertainers who champion the South on a continual basis: Houston has found another champion in Megan Thee Stallion ; Miami’s new voice is found in the City Girls; in Memphis, GloRilla is carrying on the legion of Gangsta Boo who died in January of this year; and Atlanta has a diverse array of women rappers that prove the city does not have one singular sound.

By the early 2000s, the classifier "Dirty South" became less of a communal touchstone and more of a marketing term by record labels in Atlanta. But it was less of a marked loss and more of a massive cultural shift.

By the mid 2000s, Southern rappers became the dominant voices in hip-hop, and largely took over pop culture. Evidenced by trap music migrating out of Atlanta to pop and genres across the world, the cultural exports of Southern hip-hop can also be found in streetwear and luxury fashion.Within the industry, Dirty South legends like Lil Wayne were honored at the Black Music Collective’s Recording Academy Honors during the 2023 GRAMMY Awards.

A Guide To Southern California Hip-Hop: Definitive Releases, Artists & Subgenres From L.A. & Beyond

Big Freedia at iHeartRadio Can't Cancel Pride 2023

Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

9 Artists Who Advocate For The LGBTQIA+ Community: Troye Sivan, Taylor Swift, Madonna & More

From Big Freedia to Beyoncé, artists who identify as queer and allies alike celebrate love in all its forms.

"GAY RIGHTS!!!!!" Betty Who captioned a cheeky photo earlier this month. Yes, it was a well-known inside joke among the LGBTQIA+ community, but the all-caps message held some serious meaning. The queer pop star's photo was from the White House's 2023 Pride Celebration, where President Biden formally announced the New Actions to Protect the LGBTQIA+ Community plan — and Betty Who was the star performer.

Music has always been a safe haven for gay and trans people of all kinds — from the closeted kids in Middle America finding sanctuary in the songs of their favorite pop stars, to the out-and-proud artists forming the soundtrack for the next generation of LGBTQIA+ fans. And Pride has always been a special time of the year to celebrate visibility and inclusion in the music industry — a place where everyone deserves to show up and be seen (and heard!) as their authentic self, and where every proverbial note, melody and harmony make up a beautiful and unique soundtrack that can only be yours.

Recently, queer musicians and allies who use their platforms to stand up for the LGBTQIA+ community has felt more important than ever. A rash of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation has swept through state legislatures across the country, from so-called " Don't Say Gay " bills to blatant legal attacks on drag queens, trans kids and LGBTQIA+ history as a whole — but those who stand for the community are fighting even harder.

As Pride month carries on, GRAMMY.com has rounded up a list of nine LGBTQIA+ artists, allies and bonafide gay icons who've made advocating for the community a central tenet of their music, their words and their actions. Of course, there are dozens to highlight, but take a look at how queer artists like Kim Petras and Troye Sivan and allies like Taylor Swift and Madonna have helped fans shine as their authentic selves.

Petras cemented her place as a rising star in the pop music echelon in February, when she became the first trans woman to win the GRAMMY for Best Pop Duo/Group collaboration with Sam Smith for their subversive collaboration "Unholy." (Smith, who identifies as non-binary, also made history with the win, though they graciously ceded the floor for Petras to give her awestruck acceptance speech on the GRAMMYs stage.)

As the cover star of Out 's 2023 Pride issue, the German pop princess spoke out about the rash of anti-trans rhetoric taking root in legislatures across the country and harming vulnerable trans youth. "I literally was very suicidal as a kid, and I just wouldn't still be here had my parents not believed me," she told the magazine. "I hate that another generation is going through this, and I hate that young kids are going through the same s–t I was going through, and that apparently just isn't changing. I think it's sad. I just never understood why people were so obsessed with what people do to be happy. Just focus on what you can do to be happy."

Lil Nas X has never been shy when it comes to sticking up for the queer community — and he usually does so with a healthy dose of snarky humor on social media. He's cheerfully clapped back about everything from the explicit queerness of his music videos to his place in the modern pantheon of hip-hop; mostly recently, he hopped on Twitter to hilariously take down conservative outrage over Pride-themed merchandise at Target.

"Can't believe target is supporting this nonsense, im never shopping there again, my son is not 'too cool for school' these shirts are ridiculous. He is going to school and he WILL learn," the GRAMMY winner wrote in a since-deleted tweet, mockingly referencing the anti-LGBTQIA+ crusaders upset with inclusive and trans-friendly apparel being sold at the popular retailer.

In another instance from late April, Montero made his stance hysterically clear when he tweeted, "I want to clear all the straight rumors. i have many straight friends and i support their community, but that is NOT me!"

Troye Sivan

Years before releasing his debut album Blue Neighborhood in 2015, Troye Sivan came out publicly via YouTube. Since then, he's been consistently outspoken about his experiences as a gay artist in the music industry.

The Australia native, who announced his long-awaited follow-up to 2018's Bloom earlier this month, has made a consistent point in his career to turn his visuals into unapologetic examples of queer art — from the lusty defiance of 2018's "My My My!" to the "gushy juicy doting adoring power b^tt^m gay ballad" perfection that was 2021's "Angel Baby."

Perhaps most powerful of all, though, was his video for early single "Heaven" featuring Betty Who, which depicted historic moments in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement including some of the earliest Pride parades on record. "We have always been here. we will always be here. this video is dedicated to all those who've come before me and fought for our cause and those who now continue the fight," he wrote in the video's description. "in dark and light times, let's love forever. love, troye x."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Betty Who (@bettywho)

Speaking of Betty Who, the indie pop star received an invitation directly from President Biden to perform at the White House's official 2023 Pride Celebration, where the commander in chief formally announced his administration's plan titled New Actions to Protect the LGBTQIA+ Community. The three-point roll-out promises to focus on "Strengthening Physical Safety," "Addressing Civil Rights Violations" and "Strengthening Mental Health and other Support Resources."

"Today was the biggest pride celebration ever held at the white house and i got to be a part of it!!!!!!!!" Betty, who identifies as both queer and bisexual, wrote afterwards on social media. "So many things i want to say! What an honour it is, how proud i am to be part of the lgbtqia+ [community], how special today's event was and how grateful i am to @potus, @drbiden and the amazing white house staff for hosting us. queer joy spouting everywhere!!! very grateful for this incredible experience."

Big Freedia

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Freedia 👑 (@bigfreedia)

Earlier this year, Big Freedia was honored by PFLAG — the nation's longest-running LGBTQIA+ organization — with its first-ever National Breaking Barriers Award. The new honor, which she received at PGFLAG's 50th anniversary gala in March, is meant to shine the spotlight on "an individual who uses their platform to help remove obstacles to LGBTQIA+ and intersectional equality in pursuit of a more just, equitable and inclusive world."

Upon receiving the award, the bounce music trailblazer (and 2023 GRAMMY winner) took to Instagram with a determined message, writing, "There's still so much work to do to fight discrimination and I will continue to work on behalf of our whole community to spread love, acceptance, inclusion and everyone's right TO BE FREE."

Taylor Swift

While she'd slyly referenced her support for the LGBTQIA+ community in the past on songs like "Welcome to New York," Taylor Swift took a public stand in 2019 with her Lover era single "You Need to Calm Down." The gay anthem's celebratory music video issued a call to action for her fans to support the as-yet-unpassed Equality Act with her very own Change.org petition.

During her Eras Tour stop in Chicago earlier this month, the superstar spoke specifically to her LGBTQIA+ fans, promising them that her concerts would always be a "safe space" for them to celebrate who they are.

"I wish that every place was safe and beautiful for people in the LGBTQ community, I really wish that. We can't talk about Pride Month without talking about pain," she told the sold-out crowd of Swifties at Soldier Field. "There have been so many harmful pieces of legislation that have put people in the LGBTQ and queer community at risk. It's painful for everyone — every ally, every loved one, every person in these communities. And that's why I'm always posting, 'This is when the midterms are. This is when these important, key primaries are.'

"'Cause we can support as much as we want during Pride Month," the 12-time GRAMMY winner continued. "But if we're not doing our research on these elected officials — Are they advocates? Are they allies? Are they protectors of equality? Do I want to vote for them? — I love you guys so much and happy Pride Month."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Madonna (@madonna)

What hasn't Madonna done in her iconic career to lift up the LGBTQIA+ community? In fact, there's an entire Wikipedia page dedicated solely to her status as a living gay icon.

Famously, Her Madgesty's love for the gay community started with her early mentor and dance teacher Christopher Flynn. Early in her career, she became one of the first artists to speak out about the HIV/AIDS crisis and decry the stigmatization of gay people at the time.

She's been recognized by the GLAAD Media Awards multiple times, including in 1991 with the Raising Gay Awareness award and in 2019 with the Advocate for Change award. (At the latter ceremony, GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis stated , "Madonna always has and always will be the LGBTQ community's greatest ally.")

More recently, Madge added multiple dates to her upcoming Celebration Tour, including a special stop in Nashville to stand in solidarity with the state's queer, trans and drag communities as they've been bombarded by a string of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation from the state's Capitol.

"The oppression of the LGBTQIA+ is not only unacceptable and inhumane; it's creating an unsafe environment; making America a dangerous place for our most vulnerable citizens, especially trans women of color," she wrote on Instagram alongside the announcement. "Also, these so-called laws to protect our children are unfounded and pathetic. Anyone with half a brain knows not to f— with a drag queen. Bob and I will see you from the stage in Nashville where we will celebrate the beauty that is the queer community!"

Long considered a gay icon in her own right, Beyoncé paid reverential honor to the LGBTQIA+ community and her late uncle Johnny with 2022's Renaissance , an undulating magnum opus inspired by the underground ballroom scene sparked by Black, trans and gay pioneers of the 1970s, '80s, '90s, and beyond.

Queen Bey also holds space for queer artists throughout Renaissance 's sprawling, hour-long track list, collaborating with TS Madison and Big Freedia, sampling Kevin Aviance and late drag star Moi Renee, working with Honey Dijon behind the boards and more. "Thank you to all of the pioneers who originate culture, to all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long," the living legend wrote in a note posted to her personal website upon the album's release. "This is a celebration for you."

Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons

View this post on Instagram A post shared by LOVELOUD Foundation (@loveloudfest)

Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds has emerged as a powerful advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community through his nonprofit organization Loveloud and its popular Utah festival, which he launched in 2017 to support LGBTQIA+ teens in the state's overwhelmingly conservative (and outspokenly anti-LGBTQIA+) Mormon community.

This year, though, Reynolds and the Loveloud board — which includes out and proud musicians like Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees, Vincint, Wrabel and Parson James — have expanded Loveloud's mission beyond the Mormonism of the Wasatch front. In early March, Loveloud announced it would be transforming into a traveling festival for its sixth year with stops in Austin, Texas, where dozens of anti-LGBTQIA+ laws have been pursued by the state legislature and Gov. Greg Abbott, and Washington D.C.

9 Times Queer Artists Made History At The GRAMMYs: From Elton John's Collab With BSB To Kim & Sam's "Unholy" Union

1 Kesha Announces North American Tour With Big Freedia
2 At Getting Funky In Havana, Young Musicians Feel The Power Of Cross-Cultural Connection
3 GRAMMY Rewind: Kendrick Lamar Honors Hip-Hop's Greats While Accepting Best Rap Album GRAMMY For 'To Pimp a Butterfly' In 2016
4 A Guide To Southern Hip-Hop: Definitive Releases, Artists & Subgenres From The Dirty South
5 9 Artists Who Advocate For The LGBTQIA+ Community: Troye Sivan, Taylor Swift, Madonna & More

Entertainment

Big Freedia, the Queen of Bounce, roars back with full album, ‘Central City,’ and a tour

Big Freedia goes back to her roots on the 16-track “Central City,” the Queen of Bounce’s first full-length studio album in nine years. Known for previous collaborations with Lizzo on “Karaoke” and Drake on “Nice for What” and for being sampled by Beyoncé on “Break My Soul,” Big Freedia grounds the album in her New Orleans heritage.

The Associated Press asked Big Freedia about the new album, explored the growing popularity of Bounce music and why playing in Tennessee on tour is so important to the artist.

AP: Is this a big album for you?

BIG FREEDIA: I definitely think it means more. It definitely feels bigger. It feels like I dug deeper. And it’s been nine years since I put out an album. I did EPs for the last few years so this one is very special, and I’m excited about it and excited for the world to hear the new music.

AP: It’s got a great mix of styles, from gentle and fun like “$100 Bills” featuring Ciara to aggressive and hard like “Bigfoot.” and “El Niño,” featuring Lil Wayne and Boyfriend.

BIG FREEDIA: That’s what I wanted to do, for people to be able to see different sides of me and different feelings. I just wanted to do a mixture of things, from light and fun to heavy and hard to club bangers. And I think this album accomplished that.

AP: The album kicks off with “Central City Freestyle.” How did that come about?

BIG FREEDIA: “Central City Freestyle” is just exactly what it is. There was a beat that the producers put on in the studio, and I just actually started ripping on the beat and it turned out to be magic. We added a little static at the beginning, and it turned out to be something really dope.

AP: What is the meaning of the album title?

BIG FREEDIA: Central City is where I grew up in New Orleans, and I definitely wanted to bring back some old school hip-hop, old school sounds of Bounce music of New Orleans and kind of relate it to who I am now. Going from Big Freddy to Big Freedia was the feeling of creating this album and I wanted to just pay homage to New Orleans and the sounds of hip-hop that I grew up on.

AP: There are so many possible definitions of Bounce. Are there any rules?

BIG FREEDIA: No, there’s really no rules. It’s up-tempo, heavy bass, call-and-response, high energy ass shaking — it’s all of those things. There’s really no rules to it. You can get as cute and light and fun, and as raunchy and ratchet as you want. So there’s no limits to Bounce culture.

AP: Are you OK being the face of Bounce?

BIG FREEDIA: I’ve been doing it for a long time, and I think that just my hard work and determination over the years has led me to be the ambassador of it, and I’m grateful to be in that position. It allows me to be able to do many things with the Bounce community and also allows me to open doors and break barriers for other Bounce artists that was once me growing up.

AP: Do you think mainstream culture is embracing Bounce lately?

BIG FREEDIA: I definitely feel like things are opening up in so many different ways. I think people are recognizing and respecting who I am and what I do. And the mainstream has definitely been looking at Bounce culture for a while now. You see everybody want to do a little Bounce. Everybody wants to do a little twerk. So who’s better to call than the Queen?

AP: Bounce seems very embracing and welcoming, particularly to the LGBTQ+ community. But there’s been a recent spike in discriminatory legislation sweeping through statehouses. How does that make you feel?

BIG FREEDIA: It’s very disturbing to see that that’s happening in 2023 and that our leaders are still going backward instead of moving forward in order to help the LGBTQ community. We are really going backward in time instead of going future-forward. It’s just really a sad thing to see. And I think that us in all these different communities and especially our allies, we have to keep on fighting and keep on changing what the government is trying to do, because at the end of the day, we the community hold the power.

AP: Your upcoming tour stops in San Francisco, Denver, Detroit and Chicago but also stops in Tennessee, which is emerging as one of the most restrictive states when it comes to LGBTQ rights.

BIG FREEDIA: I am super-excited to perform in Tennessee and let them know that I’m not backing down. I think that people are going to come out and we’re going to really make a statement — just to let them know that you cannot stop what the community wants and what the community is fighting for. I’m super- excited just to go there and let my presence be known and seen, and my voice be heard and let them know that we are fighting with them and they are not alone.

Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits

Big Freedia, the Queen of Bounce, roars back with full album, ‘Central City,’ and a tour

FILE - Big Freedia performs at Preservation Hall’s 60th Anniversary Celebration in New Orleans on May 6, 2022. Big Freedia goes back to her roots on the 16-track “Central City,” the Queen of Bounce’s first full-length studio album in nine years. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

This cover image released by Warner Music Group shows “Central City” by Big Freedia. (Warner Music Group via AP)

FILE - Big Freedia arrives at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. Big Freedia goes back to her roots on the 16-track “Central City,” the Queen of Bounce’s first full-length studio album in nine years. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

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The Associated Press asked Big Freedia about the new album, explored the growing popularity of Bounce music and why playing in Tennessee on tour is so important to the artist.

AP: Is this a big album for you?

AP: It’s got a great mix of styles, from gentle and fun like “$100 Bills” featuring Ciara to aggressive and hard like “Bigfoot.” and “El Niño,” featuring Lil Wayne and Boyfriend.

AP: The album kicks off with “Central City Freestyle.” How did that come about?

AP: What is the meaning of the album title?

AP: There are so many possible definitions of Bounce. Are there any rules?

AP: Are you OK being the face of Bounce?

AP: Do you think mainstream culture is embracing Bounce lately?

AP: Your upcoming tour stops in San Francisco, Denver, Detroit and Chicago but also stops in Tennessee, which is emerging as one of the most restrictive states when it comes to LGBTQ rights.

Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits

Big Freedia, Queen Of Bounce Music, Is Taking A Victory Lap

Black Voices Editor, HuffPost

For our series celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, HuffPost is featuring old and new stories about rap culture. Read the rest of our coverage here .

Big Freedia isn’t feeling well on the day of our interview. A rigorous travel schedule promoting her first studio album in nine years has taken its toll on her shoulder, which gives her problems from time to time. It’s severely affecting her today. It doesn’t stop her, though. She shows up to the interview, standing a few inches above her 6’2” height with the assistance of platform shoes, gracious and open to telling her story.

Known as the Queen of Bounce, Big Freedia released “Central City” on Friday. It’s a 16-track look into the heart and soul of the New Orleans that made Freedia — and a reminder for anyone who thought bounce was only a moment, that the genre is here to stay.

Bounce music, the genre derived from the New Orleans club scene, utilizing up-tempo beats and call and response, has been more prominent in mainstream music. Its recent success is on the backs of many New Orleans artists and DJs who have carried the genre since it was first created in the 1980s. Big Freedia’s work, specifically, has undoubtedly been the most influential in the genre’s expansion. After alley-ooping Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” to a Grammy win and No. 1 spot on the charts, collaborating with Lizzo on “Karaoke” and making Drake’s “Nice For What” the bop we know it as it was time for Freedia to pour into her own full body of work.

“I wanted to do something that is relatable to New Orleans, relatable to me, relatable to my story, going back from the things that Mom taught me, the things that the neighborhood taught me, the things that my church taught me, and my friends,” Freedia, 45, whose real name is Freddie Ross Jr., said. “So this album, I just dug deep and just thought about New Orleans and my upbringing.”

The album boasts features from Ciara, Kelly Price, Kamaiyah, Faith Evans and others. She also scored a dream collaboration on “El Nino” with Lil Wayne, whom she connected with via Instagram DM. “I wanted to have some legends, of course,” she said.

Big Freedia performs on Day 1 of Re:SET Concert Series at Frost Amphitheatre on June 2, 2023, in Stanford, California.

The Triggerman beats get your attention instantly as she opens the album with “Central City Freestyle.” She talks big shit on songs like “$100 Bill” and “Bigfoot,” letting us know that she’s “stepping on these bitches necks.” (And is!) She reaches into her gospel bag with the inspirational “Motivate Ya” while still declaring, “I need to see a lot of ass everywhere” on “Throw It Back.”

It’s hard to listen to it and sit still. But that’s the nature of bounce. The appropriate response is a physical expression, reminding you that twerking isn’t just fun but spiritual at times, too. It’s a triumphant reminder of what it means to press on through life’s many storms at times.

Before Big Freedia, who uses all pronouns, was Big Freedia, she was Big Freddie. She found her voice early, singing as the choir director at church and school. The vibrancy and spirited call-and-response reflex of gospel laid her musical foundation. But she was no stranger to hip-hop early on, thanks to a childhood best friend, tuning into the artists on the record labels of Cash Money and No Limit, West Coast icon Tupac, Brooklyn legend Notorious B.I.G. and the iconic female rap trio Salt-N-Pepa.

When bounce first started, it was dominated by men. “There was very few women that was in the game,” Freedia recalled, pointing to Cheeky Blakk, Mia X and Miss T. When bounce pioneer Katey Red came on the scene in 1998, she created a shift as the first trans woman bounce artist. “And then the gays just kind of took over. We had our own vibe, we had our own feeling,” she said.

Freedia worked with Katey early on, doing background vocals and helping her write songs. When Katey summoned Freedia on stage for an impromptu performance one day, the ball got rolling on her bounce career.

“God had blessed me already to be a voice in New Orleans, so I was already known for the choir and hitting high notes in clubs on a hip-hop beat or whatever kind of song it was,” she said. Freedia started getting booked for shows and parties around the city. She released her first single, “An Ha, Oh Yeah,” in 1999 and her first mixtape, “Queen Diva,” in 2003.

“I’m happy to be a part of the movement back then,” she said. “But it’s just that grind that kept me going. When I did the first block party in New Orleans, it blowed me away because I said a few words, and the girls got on it, and then I was starting to buzz all over the city.”

Big Freedia performs at The Broadside on July 4, 2021, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

After Hurricane Katrina, Freedia helped usher in a stronger presence for bounce music across the country as displaced New Orleans natives had been scattered throughout different cities. The post-Katrina bounce revitalization put a battery in Freedia’s back, and she began taking her role as an ambassador for bounce even more seriously. Though she had been releasing EPs and singles all along, her first studio album, “Be Free,” didn’t come until 2014.

When she told the world, “I did not come to play with you hoes” on Beyoncé’s 2016 “Formation,” a new tide shifted for Freedia. One that included not only greater visibility for her music and for bounce, but also new devils, as she hasn’t always gotten the credit for more mainstream artists using her vocals. When Drake dropped “In My Feelings,” which samples her voice, Freedia was not given proper credit. In fact, she had to reach out to Drake to appear in the video. She wasn’t listed as a featured artist for another one of his bounce-inspired hits that used her vocals, but Freedia revealed that she was paid for the song.

Though Freedia said her greater mission is to spread New Orleans’ culture and music, and that validation is fleeting, she values proper credit. Plus, her fans ride for her and will call out attempts to devalue her work.

“I love what I do, and I think that people have learned my voice enough that they’re going to let it be known what needs to happen and what I need to be credited on,” she said. “Just moving forward, my team is just improving and getting tighter with crediting and all of those things. I think now no one wants to not credit me, so I don’t think we’ll have that issue anymore.”

And it’s the truth. Big Freedia’s name carries weight. And that extends beyond music. For six seasons, her reality show “Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce” aired on Fuse. That parlayed into her newest show, “Big Freedia Means Business,” which premiered on June 7. In 2022, she appeared on the first season of the BET+ show “College Hill: Celebrity Edition.” She also recently appeared on the children’s show “Gracie’s Corner” along with a kid’s bounce remix of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”

“I just want to keep being a voice also for those people who feel like they don't have a voice to be able to stand up and speak out.” - Big Freedia

She’s also working on Hotel Freedia, a luxury boutique hotel that will be located in the French Quarter. The hotel, including a restaurant, swim club and music venue, will make Freedia one of the first Black hotel owners in New Orleans. Freedia is also gearing up to release a line of eyelashes and press-on nails.

“I’m happy to be in the game this long and still relevant,” she said.

But even still, performing is where she feels her most free. Freedia stays booked, but June has been especially busy as she’s performed in several cities for their Pride Month celebrations. Though they’ve taken a toll on her physically, the stage is still a place of solace for her. It’s her way to escape, cope, express joy and pass that energy onto her fans. She knows that’s especially important now as more and more anti-LGBTQ laws threaten the livelihood of her and her queer fans.

“I’m not backing down no kind of way, no ifs, ands, and buts about it,” she said. “I just want to keep being a voice also for those people who feel like they don’t have a voice to be able to stand up and speak out. We need to just keep on fighting so that we can continue to be free.”

Freedia isn’t pumping the brakes. And not just New Orleans, but the overall culture is better for it. The ground she’s been able to cover over the past 25 years has cemented her icon status. But still, to her, she wants to continue to work to spread the energy of bounce music worldwide.

“I just want bounce music to keep on growing and keep on getting bigger, and allowing younger artists to be able to walk through those doors, and keep on breaking barriers, and do the music that they love to do,” she said. “It’s our culture. It’s our sound. I just want it to keep on living on and on.”

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Kesha Announces ‘High Road’ North American Tour

By Claire Shaffer

Claire Shaffer

Kesha will embark on a 26-date North American tour for her upcoming album High Road (out January 31st), the singer announced on Tuesday.

The route will kick off this spring at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land, Texas, on April 23rd, and will make stops in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Denver, Atlanta, New York and more with a final show in Windsor, Ontario, on June 5th.

The tour will feature support from Big Freedia (who collaborated with Kesha on her single “Raising Hell” ) on select dates.

Kesha had this to say about the tour in a statement to Rolling Stone : “While shaking my ass at the stroke of midnight, ringing in the new year, new decade, with my new album coming this month, I thought to myself, ‘Damn. I think the best medicine for happiness and having a beautiful life is to celebrate it while I have it, with the people I love most. And ummm…shake my ass. As often as possible.’ So…this is my HIGH ROAD TOUR announce!!! If you wanna come shake ur body and hear the new jams LIVE, this is the place to do it! And, on the HIGH ROAD TOUR, you will have not one, but two grand supreme expert body movers — BIG FREEDIA and YOURS TRULY — ME!!!!! Come see us on tour this Spring!!!!!!”

Presale for the tour begins Wednesday, January 8th. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, Jan 10th. Every ticket purchased online will include a CD copy of High Road .

Kesha High Road North American Tour Dates

April 23 – Sugar Land, TX @ Smart Financial Centre April 25 – Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory April 26 – Austin, TX @ ACL Live at The Moody Theater April 29 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Federal Theatre w/ Big Freedia May 1 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl Concert Theater w/ Big Freedia May 2 – San Diego, CA @ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre w/ Big Freedia May 5 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre w/ Big Freedia May 6 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl w/ Big Freedia May 8 – San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic w/ Big Freedia May 9 – San Jose, CA @ San Jose Civic w/ Big Freedia May 11 – Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom w/ Big Freedia May 13 – Council Bluffs, IA @ Stir Cove at Harrah’s Casino w/ Big Freedia May 14 – Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Amphitheatre w/ Big Freedia May 16 – Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheater w/ Big Freedia May 17 – Atlanta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre w/ Big Freedia May 19 – Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center w/ Big Freedia May 20 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory w/ Big Freedia May 22 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom w/ Big Freedia May 23 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island w/ Big Freedia May 25 – St. Louis, MO @ TBD w/ Big Freedia May 27 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia w/ Big Freedia May 28 – New York, NY @ Pier 17 w/ Big Freedia May 30 – Mashantucket, CT @ Foxwoods Resort Casino – Grand Theater w/ Big Freedia May 31 – Boston, MA @ Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion w/ Big Freedia June 2 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem w/ Big Freedia June 5 – Windsor, ON @ The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor

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Big Freedia's Christmas in Central City Tour

Feat. anjelika jelly joseph, haiku hands, dj juan jordan.

Big Freedia has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold will go to The Ally Coalition’s work to support homeless and at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth.

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The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays Music of Taylor Swift + More

Children under 1 enter free.

Uncle Ebenezer

A tribute to phish.

Burning Spear

Kabaka pyramid.

Toots And The Maytals Ft. Leba Hibbert

The Cat Empire

Juvenile With The 400 Degreez Band

Munchies and Mimosas! America's Biggest Hip Hop and R&B Brunch Party!

Lettuce - 2 Night Pass

What Is Lil Wayne’s Most Iconic Album? The Answer May Surprise You

Lil Wayne is one of the most prolific artists of the 21st century, influencing music every time he releases an album. His nearly 30-year-old career is noteworthy. His writing and producing prowess are undeniable, and his ability to set music trends while simultaneously evolving as an artist cements him as a living legend MC.

Of his whopping 13 studio albums, here are the top 5:

5. Tha Carter IV

Metacritic : 60

Tha Carter IV isn’t a crowd (or critic) favorite from the rapper, but it deserves a spot on this list. Expectations were sky-high for the 2011 album, especially following Wayne’s release from prison in the fall of 2010, Billboard reported. Many craved Wayne’s signature lyricism and attitude, which the rapper offered in one of the album’s best tracks, its first single, “6 Foot 7 Foot,” but Tha Carter IV provided unexpected and experimental tracks, like “How to Love.” Though it’s less reflective and personal than some of Wayne’s other work, the pivot was worth it.

4. I’m Not a Human Being II

Metacritic : 51

I’m Not a Human Being II came out at a crucial time for rap and hip-hop. Popular music was skewing toward EDM and house elements, and the genres were desperate for a new sound. Enter Wayne’s tenth studio album. Songs like “Rich as F**k” and “Love Me” were utterly fresh and innovative, eventually marking a new era in rap and hip-hop, one that profoundly influenced music in those genres for years to come.

3. Tha Carter V

Metacritic : 72

Fans held their breath for Tha Carter V , and Wayne rose to the momentous occasion. The 2018 album is just as compelling musically as it was lyrically, with songs like “Dedicate,” “Uproar” and “Open Safe” proving that no one knows music like the rapper. Tha Carter V includes incredible features from artists like Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, Ashanti, Mack Maine, Travis Scott, Nivea and Wayne’s daughter, Reginae Carter. Tha Carter V is the rapper’s most exciting album and cemented his place as an artist who’s career will stand the test of time.

2. Tha Carter II

Album of the Year : 80

Tha Carter II’s significance is palpable. The album and its resulting era of Wayne’s career solidified the series and offered listeners a taste of his true talent and original approach to rap music. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on Billboard Top R&B, Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts. Songs like “Fireman” and “Hustler Musik” captured fans’ attention to Wayne’s powerful pen. A critical moment in Wayne’s career, Tha Carter II catalyzed the rapper’s fiery rise to the top. When fans say they miss the old Lil Wayne, Tha Carter II’s sound is what they’re talking about.

1. Tha Carter III

Metacritic : 84

While Wayne confessed that Tha Carter III “holds no significance to me,” the album is, without a shadow doubt, his strongest work. With multiple career-defining tracks on this album, like “A Milli,” “Mrs. Officer” and “Lollipop,” Tha Carter III shows the rapper at the top of his game. It was both critically acclaimed (Thanks to the album, Wayne dominated the 2009 Grammys, winning best rap album, best rap song for “Lollipop” and best rap performance for “A Milli,” Grammy.com reported.) and a hit among listeners still referred as the pinnacle of rap and hip-hop.

1. The Blavity House Party Music Festival is coming!

Lil Wayne and many other artists will be performing at the inaugural Blavity House Party Music Festival .

Other performers include Monica, Victoria Monét, Leon Thomas, Shenseea, Big Freedia and more.

The event will be June 14 and 15 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. Other features include a Black-owned marketplace, intimate dinners, VIP lounges, brand experiences, parties and more.

Get your tickets and find out more details at https://blavityhouseparty.com/

Lil Wayne performing at The Wiltern | Photo: Scott Dudelson via Getty Images

Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

2-hour tour $87: 10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
3-hour tour $137: 20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off.
Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
Have fun time with a very friendly local;
+ Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

Drop-off at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
+ Russian lunch in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

Every day each car in Moscow metro passes more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
Moscow subway system is the 5th in the intensity of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is 90 seconds .

What you get:

+ A friend in Moscow.
+ Private & customized Moscow tour.
+ An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
+ An authentic experience of local life.
+ Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
+ Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
+ A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
+ Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
+ Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

Smokin’ Santa Christmas EP
LOUDER THE EP
HOTEL FREEDIA

Big Freedia Swiggle Wiggle Nails

Express yourself with confidence with these presses on nails fit for a Queen. Rhinestones, patterns and fun colors will have your hands stealing the show!

Big Freedia Bounce Eyeshadow Palette

F rom sultry smokey eyes to eye-popping bursts of color, the Big Freedia neon eye shadow collection empowers you to experiment and express yourself like never before. Whether you’re going clubbing or to the gym, mix and match these shades to create your own look.

Big Freedia Ya Besta Believa Lashes

Ya Besta Believa these lashes will make a statement! Accented with rhinestones and endless volume, these lashes will command attention wherever you go!

Big Freedia Girl Down Lashes

Lightweight and comfortable, Girl Down lashes will make your eyes pop.

Big Freedia Yaka Yaka Lashes

Get ready to take your lash game to a whole new level with Yaka Yaka lashes by Big Freedia. These extensions are long and luscious, and give you that extra pop for everyday use.

THROW SOME SHADE – ORDER NOW

Big freedia announces shade by big freedia – a collaboration with eyecandy creations.

“My new line of eyewear is inspired by my childhood on Josephine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, the home where I learned all of life’s lessons and developed the lens through which I see the world. My momma, Vera, told me to love my bold loud self, my church schooled me in the art of performance, and my neighborhood fed my soul (literally and figuratively). So, go out there, be yourself, and throw some Queen Diva shade with my new collection!”

– BIG FREEDIA

“Vera” – Add drama to your look with these 24K gold-plated sunglasses embellished with Swarovski crystals and featuring custom polarized lenses.

“Josephine” – Be bold with gold. These 24K gold plated metal sunglasses are handmade with crystals and custom polarized lenses.

“Love” – See life through love-colored glasses with the Italian handmade acetate sunglasses and crystals with custom polarized lenses.

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow. Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

Moscow Metro Underground Small-Group Tour - With Reviews & Ratings

Moscow metro underground small-group tour.

See more images

Tour Information

Key Details

Mobile Voucher Accepted
Free Cancellation
Duration: 3 Hrs
Language: English
Departure Time : 10:00 AM
Departure Details : Karl Marks Monument on Revolution Square, metro stop: Square of Revolution
Return Details : Metro Smolenskaya
If you cancel at least 4 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

Go beneath the streets on this tour of the spectacular, mind-bending Moscow Metro! Be awed by architecture and spot the Propaganda , then hear soviet stories from a local in the know. Finish it all up above ground, looking up to Stalins skyscrapers, and get the inside scoop on whats gone on behind those walls.

Know More about this tour

We begin our Moscow tour beneath the city, exploring the underground palace of the Moscow Metro. From the Square of Revolution station, famous for its huge statues of soviet people (an armed soldier, a farmer with a rooster, a warrior, and more), we’ll move onto some of the most significant stations, where impressive mosaics, columns, and chandeliers will boggle your eyes! Moreover, these stations reveal a big part of soviet reality — the walls depict plenty of Propaganda , with party leaders looking down from images on the walls. Your local guide will share personal stories of his/her family from USSR times, giving you insight into Russia’s complicated past and present. Then we’re coming back up to street level, where we’ll take a break and refuel with some Russian fast food: traditional pancakes, called bliny. And then, stomachs satiated, we are ready to move forward! We’ll take the eco-friendly electric trolleybus, with a route along the Moscow Garden Ring. Used mainly by Russian babushkas(grannies) during the day, the trolleybus hits peak hours in the mornings and evenings, when many locals use it going to and from their days. Our first stop will be the Aviator’s House, one of Stalin’s Seven Sisters, followed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — and you’ll hear the legends of what has gone on inside the walls. Throughout your Moscow tour, you’ll learn curious facts from soviet history while seeing how Russia exists now, 25 years after the USSR.

Local English-speaking guide

Pancake snack and drink

Additional food and drinks

Tickets for public transport

Souvenirs and items of a personal nature

Tips and gratuities for the guide

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Dress standard: Please wear comfortable shoes for walking. For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people

Traveler Reviews

This tour exceeded our expectations. Nikolai (Nick), our tour guide, was very knowledgeable, thorough, and has a great personality. He didn't take shortcuts and really covered everything that was on the agenda in great detail. We saw beautiful metro stations and learned the history behind them, including many of the murals and designs.

We did the tour with Anna her knowledge and understanding of the History surrounding the metro brought the tour alive. Well done Anna!

This tour was amazing!

Anna was a great tour guide. She gave us heaps of interesting information, was very friendly, and very kindly showed us how to get to our next tour.

Amazing beauty and history.

An excellent tour helped by an absolutely amazing guide. Anna gave a great insight into the history of the metro helped by additional material she had prepared.

great tour and guide - thanks again

great will do it again, Miriam ke was very good as a guide she has lived here all here life so knew every interesting detail.a good day

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Rating: 5 out of 5 Big Freedia is AMAZING by czb on 12/8/23 9:30 CLUB - WASHINGTON. Big Freedia is an extraordinary artist who gives you your money's worth. He performed live for the whole show (no lip syncing), danced (even through a wardrobe malfunction) , and even pulled people on stage.
Big Freedia Tickets, Tour Dates & Concerts 2024 & 2023
Find information on all of Big Freedia's upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2023-2024. Big Freedia is not due to play near your location currently - but they are scheduled to play 19 concerts across 1 country in 2023-2024. View all concerts. Next 3 concerts: Asheville, NC, US. Knoxville, TN, US.
Big Freedia Concerts & Live Tour Dates: 2024-2025 Tickets
Knoxville, TN @. Bijou Theatre. August 6th 2023. Amazing show. Big Freedia always delivers. A bit shorter than we hoped for. Only about 50min for the entire show but overall a great small venue, good wine & food and close up with Big Freedia. Montgomery, NY @.
Big Freedia
Find concert tickets for Big Freedia upcoming 2024 shows. Explore Big Freedia tour schedules, latest setlist, videos, and more on livenation.com
Big Freedia Announces Nationwide Fall Just Be Free Tour
Big Freedia: Queen Of Bounce Season 2 Finale airs on Fuse TONIGHT! 11p / 10p Central . On the heels of her debut album Just Be Free, and season 2 of her FuseTV hit reality TV show, "Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce," the Queen of New Orleans Bounce, Big Freedia, will hit the road this fall with an all new stage show and dazzling performances.. The 20-plus city tour will be intertwined with ...
Big Freedia, queen of bounce, album 'Central City,' tour
Big Freedia arrives at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. Big Freedia goes back to her roots on the 16-track "Central City," the Queen of Bounce's first full ...
Big Freedia tour dates 2023
Big Freedia tour dates 2023. Big Freedia is currently touring across 1 country and has 3 upcoming concerts. Their next tour date is at Blue Note Jazz Club in New York (NYC), after that they'll be at Blue Note Jazz Club again in New York (NYC).
Kesha Announces North American Tour With Big Freedia
On Jan. 31, Kesha will drop her highly anticipated fourth album, High Road. Today, the GRAMMY-nominated artist announced plans to hit the road in support of the album starting in April, and she'll be bringing along New Orleans bounce icon Big Freedia on select dates. The 26-city tour will kick off April 21 in Sugar Land, Texas, and span across ...
Big Freedia, the Queen of Bounce, roars back with full album, 'Central
Big Freedia goes back to her roots on the 16-track "Central City," the Queen of Bounce's first full-length studio album in nine years. ... Your upcoming tour stops in San Francisco, Denver ...
Big Freedia, the Queen of Bounce, roars back with full album, 'Central
Big Freedia, the Queen of Bounce, roars back with full album, 'Central City,' and a tour. FILE - Big Freedia performs at Preservation Hall's 60th Anniversary Celebration in New Orleans on May 6, 2022. Big Freedia goes back to her roots on the 16-track "Central City," the Queen of Bounce's first full-length studio album in nine years.
Big Freedia, Queen Of Bounce Music, Is Taking A Victory Lap
Known as the Queen of Bounce, Big Freedia released "Central City" on Friday. It's a 16-track look into the heart and soul of the New Orleans that made Freedia — and a reminder for anyone who thought bounce was only a moment, that the genre is here to stay. Bounce music, the genre derived from the New Orleans club scene, utilizing up ...
Kesha Announces 'High Road' North American Tour with Big Freedia
By Claire Shaffer. January 7, 2020. Kesha has announced a 26-date North American tour for her album 'High Road,' with supporting act Big Freedia Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock. Kesha will embark on a ...
Big Freedia's Full Duffy Performance From The Just Be Free Tour
Watch a full performance from Freedia's biggest tour yet!Catch new episodes of Big Freedia Bounces Back Tuesdays at 10PM on Fuse!Subscribe to the Fuse TV Cha...
Big Freedia's Christmas in Central City Tour
Venue Information:Brooklyn Bowl61 Wythe AvenueBrooklyn, NY 11249. Valid photo ID required at door for entry. Doors: 6:00 PM. Show: 8:00 PM. Big Freedia has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold will go to The Ally Coalition's work to support homeless and at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth. All food & beverage tabs will have an automatic ...
Big Freedia + Tank & the Bangas: October TOUR
Big Freedia, known as the Queen of Bounce, is a New Orleans-based rapper and ambassador of Bounce music. A vibrant twist on hip-hop, Bounce is characterized by call-and-response lyrics over rapid-fire beats and accelerated booty-shaking.
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Other performers include Monica, Victoria Monét, Leon Thomas, Shenseea, Big Freedia and more. The event will be June 14 and 15 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.
TWO STEP DANCE LESSON
Win Free Tickets. Two Step Inn w/ Cody Johnson, Colter Wall, Turnpike Troubadours, Hank Williams, JR. & More; Hozier - Unreal Unearth Tour 2024 w/ Allison Russell; Usher - PAST PRESENT FUTURE TOUR - Night One; Austin Blues Festival ft. Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, Big Freedia, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Glasper & More
Moscow Metro Tour with Friendly Local Guides
Moscow Metro private tours. 2-hour tour $87: 10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off. 3-hour tour $137: 20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.
Moscow Metro Daily Tour: Small Group
Moscow has some of the most well-decorated metro stations in the world but visitors don't always know which are the best to see. This guided tour takes you to the city's most opulent stations, decorated in styles ranging from neoclassicism to art deco and featuring chandeliers and frescoes, and also provides a history of (and guidance on how to use) the Moscow metro system.
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Big Freedia Bounce Eyeshadow Palette. From sultry smokey eyes to eye-popping bursts of color, the Big Freedia neon eye shadow collection empowers you to experiment and express yourself like never before. Whether you're going clubbing or to the gym, mix and match these shades to create your own look. GET IT. Big Freedia Ya Besta Believa Lashes.
Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations
The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited: 1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace.
Moscow Metro Underground Small-Group Tour
Go beneath the streets on this tour of the spectacular, mind-bending Moscow Metro! Be awed by architecture and spot the Propaganda, then hear soviet stories from a local in the know. Finish it all up above ground, looking up to Stalins skyscrapers, and get the inside scoop on whats gone on behind those walls.
Louisianna Purchase's Drag Queen Bingo in Austin at St. Elmo
Win Free Tickets. Two Step Inn w/ Cody Johnson, Colter Wall, Turnpike Troubadours, Hank Williams, JR. & More; Hozier - Unreal Unearth Tour 2024 w/ Allison Russell; Usher - PAST PRESENT FUTURE TOUR - Night One; Austin Blues Festival ft. Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, Big Freedia, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Glasper & More

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Big Freedia's Christmas in Central City Tour

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Highlight of Metro Tour

Hotel Pick-up

Museum of Moscow Metro

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Coffee Ring

Zodiac Metro

Paleontological finds

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Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

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Moscow Metro Underground Small-Group Tour - With Reviews & Ratings

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