After she ended up on hit bangers by both Beyoncé (“Formation”) and Drake (“Nice for What”), Big Freedia knew that she’d hit the big time. Now, the Queen of Bounce — who helped bring the bass-bumping sound from her native New Orleans to the twerking masses — has a new EP, “3rd Ward Bounce.” And the gay artist (born Freddie Ross), 40, will be shaking up New York City’s LGBTQ Pride festivities on Saturday at Pier 97 in Hudson River Park. Here, she dishes about the power of Pride, getting in formation with Beyoncé and the secrets of twerking.

What are your memories of first participating in New York City Gay Pride in 2014?
Just the amazing energy going down the street, and performing on a float. I was able to just be myself, and be loud and proud. People were screaming my name from both sides of the street. It was just lots of love. It’s such an exciting Pride, probably one of the best besides San Francisco. It’s New York, so it’s always turned all the way up.

There are definitely more out artists now representing the LGBTQ community. How do you feel about that progress?
I’m pleased with the direction that things are going in. We’re steady pushing through and breaking barriers. A lot more people are on TV shows and doing movies now. We’re on the rise. I’m very happy that people understand that we are human just like them, and that we have talent, and that we’re not just the background or backup people. We can be at the forefront too, and live our dreams.

So how did you link up with Beyoncé for “Formation”?
It was a blessing to get that phone call. I was very shocked. I was like, “The Queen B knows who I am!” I kind of lost it in my mind when it came out. That’s when I knew it was real. Sometimes things fall through. I knew it was confirmed when people started saying, “I heard you on [‘Formation’ with] Beyoncé.” I didn’t even know it was out. It was kind of the same way with Drake.

If you had to describe bounce music to someone who had no idea what it was, how would you describe it?
Up-tempo, heavy bass, call-and-response music. It definitely has a lot to do with ass-shaking and twerking.

So what’s the secret to the perfect twerk?
Lots of practice. But most of the time you gotta be born with that rhythm. A lot of us here in New Orleans, we’re born with it. It comes naturally for us.