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After Losing Her Partner of Two Decades, Big Freedia Says Her Gospel Album ‘Means More Than Ever Now’
Big Freedia on her gospel album, 'Pressing Onward', the death of her long-term partner Devon Hurst — and why the project means 'more than ever' now.
The 14 tracks include guest spots by Billy Porter (“Holy Shuffle”) and Tamar Braxton ( “Sunday Best”), both of whom also grew up in the church, with Freedia’s “handpicked” choir of local gospel singers, led by Josh Kagler, elevating each song. A Big Freedia concert isn’t so different from a Baptist service: Putting aside lyrical content and clothes (or lack thereof), both are centered on a charismatic figure whose call-and-response pushes an audience toward communal catharsis. And I’m always listening to gospel music when we’re on the tour bus,” she says, rattling off some of her favorite singers — Milton Brunson, Kirk Franklin, John P. Kee, Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Ricky Dillard — with a rapidity and ease that could convince any doubting Thomas that her love for the genre is genuine and deeply rooted.
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