transgender
A transgender (often abbreviated as trans) person is someone whose gender identity or gender expression does not correspond with their sex assigned at birth. Many transgender people experience dysphoria, which they seek to alleviate through tr ...
rappers in
bounce music
Bounce music is a style of New Orleans hip hop music that is said to have originated as early as the late 1980s in the city's housing projects. Popular bounce artists have included DJ Jubilee, Partners-N-Crime, Magnolia Shorty and Big Freedia.
...
and is credited with creating the sissy bounce genre.
Background
Red was born in the
Melpomene Projects
The Melpomene Projects, officially called the Gustavo Apartments or The Guste Homes, and colloquially The Melph, are a housing complex located in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans
New Orleans ( , ,Walter L. Cohen High School and was part of the school's marching band.
Career
In 1998,
DJ Jubilee
Jerome Temple, professionally known as DJ Jubilee, is an American rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana.
Background
Valley Music Empire up in the Lamwo in Juba. He graduated from Kampala International University and is a football player and com ...
saw Red rapping at a block party in New Orleans and signed her to his label,
Take Fo' Records Take Fo' Records is an independent record label from New Orleans and the first to specialize in bounce music. The label is a subsidiary of Positive Black Talk, Inc., was founded in 1992 and operated by creative duo Earl J. Mackie and Henry F. Holden ...
. She released her first album in 1999, titled "Melpomene Block Party".
Considered the first openly gay bounce artist, Red developed a unique style of bounce, which is often referred to as sissy bounce. Her style is high energy, often employing
call and response
Call and response is a form of interaction between a speaker and an audience in which the speaker's statements ("calls") are punctuated by responses from the listeners. This form is also used in music, where it falls under the general category of ...
. She frequently performs and collaborates with other bounce artists, including
Big Freedia
Freddie Ross Jr. (born January 28, 1978), better known by his stage name Big Freedia ( ), is an American rapper and performer known for his work in the New Orleans genre of hip hop called bounce music. Freedia has been credited with helping popu ...
,
Sissy Nobby
Terrelle Gallo (known by his stage name, Sissy Nobby) is an American bounce artist from New Orleans, known for his hit songs, "Consequences" and "Gitty Up". Gallo is credited as one of the main pioneers of bounce music
Bounce music is a sty ...
, Vockah Redu, and Cheeky Blakk.
In 2011, Red, along with other New Orleans bounce artists, was the subject of an exhibition at the
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is located in the Warehouse Arts District of downtown New Orleans, Louisiana.
Established in 1999, and in Stephen Goldring Hall at 925 Camp Street since 2003.
The building
The Ogden consists of two main buildin ...
entitled "Where They At?". The exhibition was also taken to the Abrons Art Center in New York City and the Birdhouse Gallery in
Austin
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city ...
.
Red is also a
drag artist
A drag queen is a person, usually male, who uses Drag (clothing), drag clothing and makeup to imitate and often exaggerate femininity, female gender signifiers and gender roles for entertainment purposes. Historically, drag queens have usuall ...
* 1999: "Melpomene Block Party"
*"''The Punk Under Pressure''"
Music videos
* 2011: "Where Da Melph At", directed by David S. White
*2012: "Dreidel Song" by Gypsyphonic Disko, appears as featured artist
* 2013: "Don't Speak (Make Ya Booty Go)", directed by David S. White
Collaborations
* 2000: ''It's a G Thang'' by K.C. Redd – performing "Tiddy Bop" with K.C. Redd
* 2002: ''Choppa Style'' by
Choppa
Darwin Turner, better known by his stage name Choppa, is an American rapper and songwriter.
History
Early career
While as a teenager Choppa worked on his lyrical skills as a hobby, but he felt his destiny was in professional sports. Disagreem ...
– performing "Messy B***hes" with Choppa
* 2010: ''Ya-Ka-May'' by
Galactic
Galactic is an American jam band from New Orleans, Louisiana.
Origins and background
Formed in 1994 as an octet (under the name Galactic Prophylactic) and including singer Chris Lane and guitarist Rob Gowen, the group was soon pared down to a ...
– performing "Katey Vs Nobby" with Sissy Nobby, U.S. Billboard Chart No. 161
* 2011: ''New Orleans Bounce Essentials, Vol. 2'' – performing "That's My Juvie" with
Magnolia Shorty
Renetta Yemika Lowe-Bridgewater (September 30, 1982 – December 20, 2010), known by the stage name Magnolia Shorty, was an American rapper in the New Orleans-based bounce music scene.Cadogan, Garnette (August 2007). Bounce Back: Not even Katrina ...
Akron / Family
Akron/Family were an American folk-influenced experimental rock band active from 2002 to 2013. Former members have lived in Portland, Oregon; Los Angeles, California; and Joshua Tree, California.
Music and history
Though each member of the bandâ ...
Filmography
Awards
In 2000, Red received the Best Emerging Rap/Hip-Hop Band or Performer at Offbeat magazine's
Best of the Beat Awards
''OffBeat'' is a New Orleans, Louisiana monthly local music magazine founded by Jan V. Ramsey in 1987. The magazine, published by OffBeat, Inc., focuses on the popular music of New Orleans and Louisiana, which is generally R&B, blues, jazz, ro ...
.
Personal life
Red married in 2017, her musical collaborator and friend Big Freedia was maid of honor.