BIG FREEDIA: QUEEN OF BOUNCE: THE BIG BREAKUP (TV)
Summary
One in this reality series about outrageous gender-bending performer Freddie "Big Freedia" Ross, who specializes in bounce music, a New Orleans-based blend of hip-hop and dance styles.
In this episode, Freedia is excited to perform at New Orleans' famous Mardi Gras celebration, including at the Zulu Parade and the "Under the Bridge" space beneath the I-10 Claiborne Overpass. He then prepares to shoot a music video, his most expensive so far, for his new single "Explode," while elsewhere Mr. Ghetto films a slightly lower-budget video for his own song. Vera and Freedia view Mr. Ghetto's work and express their dislike of its exploitative nature. Renee objects to Freedia's long drag queen-style hairdo in his video. She brings stylists to Freedia's home to give him a new look, and Vera, having done Freedia's hair for many years, takes offense. Later, Vera criticizes Freedia's colorful makeup for the video, though Renee argues that he is a "fashion-forward" performer.
Preparations for the tour are further complicated as Mr. Ghetto encounters serious trouble with the law when he takes a woman hostage and is taken from his home with the use of tear gas and arrested. Freedia and the team quickly realize that Mr. Ghetto must be removed from the tour, and Melvin points out that he has objected to the troublesome rapper from the beginning. Freedia calls Mr. Ghetto for lunch, wanting to have the awkward conversation in a public place, and Renee is uncomfortable when Mr. Ghetto aggressively flirts with her. Mr. Ghetto reacts defensively when Freedia "breaks up" with him, stating that his "personal" problems are irrelevant to their collaboration and rudely challenges Freedia's gender identity and sexuality. Freedia is upset by the encounter, but Renee calmly states that they must move forward with their plans despite the uncomfortable setback. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: Fuse
- DATE: November 30, 1999 11:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:21:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 116792
- GENRE: Reality
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBT Collection; Reality; Music and musicians
- SERIES RUN: Fuse - TV series, 2013-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jeremy Simmons … Executive Producer, Director
- Fenton Bailey … Executive Producer
- Randy Barbato … Executive Producer
- Tom Campbell … Executive Producer
- Sal LoCurto … Executive Producer
- Michael Dugan … Executive Producer
- Renee Moncada-McElroy … Co-Executive Producer
- Craig Constantine … Supervising Producer
- John Guevara … Associate Producer
- Chris Spry … Field Producer
- Josh Ferrazzano … Consulting Producer
- Harris Fishman … Consulting Producer
- David Shafei … Consulting Producer
- Kenneth Leslie … Supervising Story Producer
- Adam Bronstein … Story Producer
- Nate Buck … Story Producer
- Melvin Foley
- Vera Johnson
- Robert "Mr. Ghetto" Maize
- Renee Moncada-McElroy
- Freddie "Big Freedia" Ross