BIG DIVA ENERGY | BIG FREEDIA

Hip hop has a number of sub genres that we can enjoy when we're at our favorite club, dance festival, studio class or just hanging out at home. We've been long time fans of Bounce, a New Orleans sound that make it impossible to not dance to. A number of people are associated with this sound as well as popularizing it!

In this month's issue we catch up with Big Freedia, the Queen Diva who is known for Bounce music. Whether it's watching her successful show Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce which gave access to her life on tour as well as just navigating the industry, watching performances or even seeing her in shows as HBO's Treme, guest judging on Rupaul's Drag Race All Stars or this season's P-Valley on STARZ - the focus to push New Orleans as well as this genre is always at the forefront of her efforts. Without a doubt, she is known for her Big Diva Energy whether she's in the studio or outside of it. We wanted to take some time to find out about what The Queen of Bounce is working on, collaborating with Beyoncé and partnering up with No Kid Hungry to combat food insecurity among children!

ATHLEISURE MAG: You’re known for popularizing the hip hop genre, bounce music. Can you tell us more about what this is and its link to New Orleans?

BIG FREEDIA: Bounce music is a fast-paced call and response style of hip hop that was born in New Orleans in the late 80s and popularized globally in the mid-late 90s with Cash Money Millionaires (Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, Lil Wayne).

AM: You were sampled on Beyoncé’s Formation, but what was it like to collaborate with her on Break My Soul and the video?

BF: Working in any capacity with Beyoncé is incredible. I am always – and still have to pinch myself to see if this is really happening!

AM: New Orleans means a lot to you and you recently partnered with No Kid Hungry X Williams-Sonoma in creating a spatula where proceeds will go to providing funds for children to reduce food insecurity.

Why did you want to participate this year and why was it important for you to be involved?

BF: I feel very strongly about helping the kids of New Orleans. When you don't have enough food, you can’t focus on school or develop properly. So, to me, this is a way to get them the food they need–and help them early.

AM: When you’re not working how do you take time for yourself to recharge your batteries?

BF: To recharge, I have to have nothing on my calendar! I love to cook, hang out with my friends and family.

IG @bigfreedia

PHOTOGRAPHY | PG 136 - 137 Nelson Cosey | 9DRIP PG 60 - 61 Brad Hebert, PG 61 + 63 Nelson Cosey |

Read the AUG ISSUE #80 of Athleisure Mag and see BIG DIVA ENERGY | Big Freedia in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG #80 | AUG ISSUE

In this month’s issue, our cover story is with World Cup Champion, Juventus F.C. and the France National Team Midfielder footballer, Paul Pogba. We caught up with him to talk about his passion for the game, his excitement to play for Juventus again, what it was like to win the World Cup with the French National team in 2018 and more. With STARZ’s POWER BOOK III: Raising Kanan Season 2 out now, we caught up with the show’s creator Sascha Penn and two of it’s stars Hailey Kilgore and Omar Dorsey to talk about what we can expect, what it’s like getting into that 90’s frame of mind and more. We also interview CFDA jewelry designer Sheryl Lowe of Sheryl Lowe Jewelry. We talk about how she went from a MUA in film/TV to creating this line, creating an additional line MR.LOWE. where her husband Rob Lowe and children have modeled for it and the importance of philanthropy within her collection. This Labor Day Weekend, Electric Zoo is back from Sept 2nd – 4th and we give you a heads up on what you can expect at this year’s festival on Randall’s Island here in NY. We also talk with Cheat Codes, a trio DJ/Producer trio who will also perform at this year’s event. We talk about them drawing 3 albums in under 2 years during the pandemic, how they create their music and their upcoming country project with Dolly Parton, Jimmie Allen and more. We also caught up with The Queen of Bounce, Big Freedia to talk about Bounce, No Kids Hungry and working with Beyonce.

This month’s 9PLAYLIST comes from EDM DJ/Producer Benny Benassi (cover of DEC ISSUE #60) and choreographer, dance fitness founder of the NW Method Nicole Winhoffer has one as well. Our 9DRIP comes from our STARZ’s POWER BOOK III: Raising Kanan’s, Omar Dorsey and the Queen of Bounce, Big Freedia. Our 63MIX ROUTIN3S comes from last month’s JUL ISSUE #79 cover and UFC World Champ and TUF Season 30 winner Julianna Peña. Our The 9LIST STORI3S comes from PGA golfer Justin Thomas and The 9LIST STORI3S comes from Leylah Fernandez, Felix Aliassime and Carlos Alcaraz who will be playing in this year’s US Open.

Our monthly feature, The Art of the Snack shares a stunning spot that’s known for their mussels in the Meat Packing District, Mollusca. This month’s Athleisure List comes from Bear Donut and RANG NYC. As always, we have our monthly roundups of some of our favorite finds.

Read the AUG ISSUE #80.

STYLE FILES: SS19

Read more from the Sep Issue of Athleisure Mag and read Style Files: SS19 in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | LEKFIT + LEKFIT ON DEMAND

Former professional dancer, choreographer and celebrity fitness instructor Lauren Kleban is the founder of LEKfit which opened officially in 2016 in the Larchmont/Hancock Park area of LA.  She created a dance-inspired fitness method designed to create long and lean muscles by using intervals of low impact, high intensity, fat burning cardio with muscle sculpting techniques created to strengthen and tone.

LEKfit takes a musically driven approach to fitness with Lauren consistently drawing inspiration from her ballet, jazz, burlesque and yoga training to create fun and effective workouts that empower and promote body love and acceptance.

Lauren has trained a number of celebs including Busy Phillips, Emmy Rossum, Lindsay Price, Alia Shawkat, Katie Duplass, Ever Carradine, Lara Worthington, Judy Greer, JoAnna Garcia, Charlotte Ronson, Elizabeth Chambers, ad Katherine McPhee.

This method offers three different concepts. BOUNCE is a signature intense cardio and muscle sculpting workout.  Each class includes a warm-up, low impact, high-intensity cardio session using mini Jump Sport trampolines, leg, arm and core series plus a cooldown.

SCULPT is a ballet and yoga inspired class designed to create long and lean muscles. Each of these classes includes a warm-up, leg, arm and core series plus extended stretching for optimal muscle recovery.

FUSION is a high-intensity cardio and muscle sculpting class that incorporates the best parts of each LEKfit workout. Each class includes a warm-up, intense cardio session, leg, arm and core series plus a cool down and stretch.

Amenities that guests can enjoy at this studio include showers, changing rooms, a waiting room and the Joovv infrared light.

For those that want to continue taking classes outside of the studio session or for those that may live outside of LA, Lauren launched LEKfit On Demand early 2017. Those who connect with this service see Lauren in her LA garage studio with the LEKfit On Demand.

This service allows you to stream two brand new fifty minute full-body workouts every Wednesday directly from her studio and LA clients. This service offers hundreds of full body workouts. You'll also find do anywhere + anytime shorter workouts and "add-ons" which allow you to mic and match what you do based on your time and ability.

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LEKFIT + LEKFIT ON DEMAND

Larchmont/Hancock Park
LA, CA 90036

www.LEKfit.com

IG @LEKfit

Read more from the June Issue of Athleisure Mag and see ATHLEISURE LIST | LEKfit + LEKfit in the Studio.