Lizzo – Songs, Truth Hurts, and Career

Who is Lizzo?

Lizzo won three Grammy Awards and created hit songs like “Good as Hell”, “Truth Hurts” and “Juice”. His first big label album, Because I love you (2019), made Billboard’s Top Ten. Lizzo’s name combines a childhood nickname of Lissa and Jay-Z’s song “Izzo”. Before making her mark in rap and pop, she was on the way to becoming an orchestral flautist. Even with his change of musical direction, Lizzo continued to play the flute, from samples from his debut album to live performances.

Early childhood and family

Lizzo was born as Melissa Viviane Jefferson in Detroit, Michigan on April 27, 1988. Lizzo’s family was part of a Pentecostal church in Detroit. Because of their faith, gospel music reigned in their homes. Lizzo’s parents also listened to Elton John, Queen and Stevie Wonder. When Lizzo was 9, her family moved to Houston, Texas. There, she said, her horizons broadened to include Destiny’s Child, Missy Elliott and the twerk.

In fifth grade, Lizzo began playing the flute, an instrument she devoted herself to and eventually performed in her high school marching band. Although the flute was her focus, Lizzo also rapped. As a teenager, she wrote nursery rhymes and formed groups with her friends.

From classical music to rap and rock

Lizzo’s flute talents earned her a scholarship to the University of Houston, where she studied musical performance. She initially plans to continue her studies at the Paris Conservatory and eventually play in concert halls.

In addition to the hours of flute practice, Lizzo continued to rap and perform in shows in college. During her freshman year, she decided to drop out of school to focus on making a name for herself in the music industry. She explained on the radio show Fresh air, “I was like, I’m already playing. Why do I need a music performance degree? And I just quit.”

Lizzo joined a progressive rock band, in which she sang and sometimes played the flute. Her family had moved to Denver, so she was on her own as she tried to launch her career in Houston. Lizzo lived in her car, sometimes slept on the floor of her recording studio, and showered at the gym.

When Lizzo was 20, her father passed away. The two had been close and it was a devastating loss. She left the progressive rock group in 2010, after the death of her father. After a brief stop in Denver, Lizzo moved to Minneapolis in 2011 at the invitation of a friend. She quickly established herself in the music scene of this city. She has performed with girl groups Chalice and GRRRL PRTY. His first album, Lizzobangers, was released in 2013 on an independent label.

While living in Minneapolis, Lizzo was encouraged by local rock icon Prince. She appeared on her album Plectrumelectrum (2014) and performed during his parties. “To be kissed by Prince, I am eternally grateful,” she said in 2020.

Another Lizzo album, Large Grrrl Small World, arrived in 2015. Soon after, she signed with Atlantic Records. After moving to Los Angeles, Lizzo releases EP Coconut oil (2016). She also began to host Wonderland, a live music show on MTV, and opening act for Sleater-Kinney and Florence + the Machine on tour.

The single “Truth Hurts” was released in 2017. When the song had no impact, Lizzo debated leaving the music. The pressures of work caused her to exhaust herself emotionally in 2018 and seek therapy.

Revolutionary success

Using all of her vocal abilities had been a struggle for Lizzo because “big black girls were always the belts, and I was always afraid of being put in that box.” Its range has been demonstrated on Because I love you (2019), the first album she made for a major. Inspired in part by Lizzo’s heartache, the record had it all: ballads, captivating raps and songs perfect for club dancing.

Because I love you is part of the Billboard Top Ten. With the album tour sold out, Lizzo has planned other dates. Then “Truth Hurts”, the underperforming single, was featured in a movie and ultimately became a hit.

In addition to her hit album and platinum singles – “Truth Hurts”, “Good as Hell” and “Juice” – in 2019, Lizzo wowed the Met Gala in a shiny pink dress and received a standing ovation from Rihanna and others after performing “Truth Hurts” at the BET Awards. She also had a role in the film scammers (2019).

For the 62nd Grammy Awards, Lizzo received eight nominations, the most for an artist that year. She won three awards: Best Pop Solo Performance (“Truth Hurts”), Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Jerome”) and Best Contemporary Urban Album for Because I love you.

Lizzo has experienced a copyright dispute over “Truth Hurts”, although a lawsuit against her has been dismissed. She gave credit to the woman who tweeted a version of the song’s frontline.

In 2020, Lizzo signed an agreement with Amazon Studios to work on content for Amazon Prime Video.

“Rumors,” by Lizzo and Cardi B, arrived in 2021. It was the first single Lizzo had released since 2019. Unfortunately, the release sparked negative comments on social media. “It’s fatphobic, it’s racist and it’s hurtful,” Lizzo said on Instagram Live of the comments. “What I won’t accept is that you do this to black women over and over again, especially us big black girls. When we don’t fit into the box you want to put us in, you just go wild. hatred on us. “

Self-image and body positivity

“I had a negative body for a long time,” admitted Lizzo. Ultimately, she realized that “in order to continue living in this body and surviving in this body and being happy and truly enjoying life, I have to find a way to love myself.”

Still, Lizzo is wary of some of the applause she’s received for her body positivity. “I don’t like when people think it’s hard for me to see myself so beautiful,” she said. Charm. “I don’t like it when people are shocked that I do it.”

“Body positivity only exists because body negativity is the norm,” Lizzo said. She hopes acceptance of all kinds of bodies will eventually be normalized and extend beyond entertainment, saying, “There’s a tall black girl at the Grammys. But tall black women don’t get it. still not getting the treatment they deserve in hospitals and doctors. and at work, you know what I mean? “