New Orleans rapper and bounce queen Big Freedia has announced her first gospel album. Pressing Onward, which takes its name from the Pressing Onward Baptist Church, in New Orleans, is out August 8. The follow-up to 2023’s Central City is Big Freedia’s third career studio album. Check out the stained glass–themed cover art and full tracklist for the LP below.
“I’ve been waiting my whole career to make this album,” Big Freedia said in a statement. “The church always spoke to me: the drama, the choir, and the attire. We are in uncertain times. I’m hoping fans can get some faith and hope from this album.”
Big Freedia wrote Pressing Onward as a way to reflect on her lifelong connection to gospel music after joining her church choir at age 10. Further deepening its themes of love, hope, and acceptance is her choice to dedicate the album to Devon Hurst, her partner who died this past May. She spoke about Hurst in a new interview with Billboard, telling Joe Lynch, “This album started as a message of healing for the world—but now, it’s me who’s holding on to the music for strength.”
The 14-track Pressing Onward includes the recent singles “Take My Hand,” “Sunday Best” (featuring Tamar Braxton), and “Church.”
Pressing Onward:
01 Revival
02 Take My Hand
03 Church
04 Let It Rain
05 Holy Shuffle [ft. Billy Porter]
06 All I Need
07 Highway to Heaven
08 Celebration
09 Sunday Best [ft. Tamar Braxton]
10 Queens Testimony [ft. K. Michelle]
11 Never Forget
12 Praise Dance
13 Pew
14 Pressing Onward
