Lizzo

Lizzo is an American rapper, singer and actress from Detroit, Michigan, born in 1988. Her full name is Melissa Vivianne Jefferson. Her music moves across contemporary R&B, hip hop, pop rap, pop soul and R&B, and she is also a classically trained flautist.

Early years and groups

Lizzo grows up in a church environment and is influenced by gospel artists including The Winans, The Clark Sisters and Fred Hammond, alongside mainstream artists such as Stevie Wonder and Elton John. Her family later moves to Houston, where she is exposed to Southern rap and R&B. After seeing a Destiny’s Child performance, she starts writing music. Her early work spans R&B girl groups, progressive rock, solo rap and electro-pop, including I.N.I.T.I.A.L.S., Cornrow Clique, Lizzo & The Larva Ink, and other projects.

She is a founding member of The Chalice, Grrrl Prty, The Clerb, Ellypseas and Absynthe, and she also forms the electro-pop duo Lizzo & The Larva Ink. In 2011 she moves to Minneapolis with Larva Ink and becomes part of that city’s collaborative music scene. The Chalice, an all-female rap and R&B group with Sophia Eris and Claire de Lune, releases We Are The Chalice in 2012 and gains local recognition.

Solo albums and early releases

Lizzo’s debut album, Lizzobangers, is released in 2013 after she begins working with Doomtree producer Lazerbeak. Ryan Olson oversees the project creatively, recording and editing the tracks, and Cliff Rhymes contributes additional vocals. The album draws together rap, soul, pop, funk, gospel and live-band energy.

Her second album, Big Grrrl Small World, follows in 2015 and expands her range with songs that mix rap with vulnerability, humour and body-positive themes. In 2016 she releases the EP Coconut Oil, which leans further into polished pop and R&B. It includes “Good as Hell” and the title track “Coconut Oil”.

Mainstream success

Lizzo’s third studio album, Cuz I Love You, is released in 2019 and brings wider commercial recognition. It combines soul vocals, pop hooks, funk, rap, gospel and live instrumentation. Songs associated with the album include “Juice”, “Tempo” with Missy Elliott, “Cuz I Love You” and “Truth Hurts”, the last of which first appears in 2017 before becoming a major hit. The album wins multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Urban Contemporary Album for its deluxe edition.

In 2022 she releases Special, which continues her focus on self-love, resilience, romance and emotional recovery. Its lead single, “About Damn Time”, becomes one of her best-known songs and wins Record of the Year at the 2023 Grammy Awards.

Later releases

Lizzo later returns toward her rap roots with the mixtape My Face Hurts from Smiling, issued through Nice Life and Atlantic Records, and then expanded as My Face Still Hurts from Smiling. These releases feature tracks including “Still Cant Fuh”, “IRL”, “Yitty on Yo Tittys (Freestyle)”, “New Mistakes” and collaborations with SZA, Doja Cat, Lil Jon and Tierra Whack.

Her major-label studio album BITCH follows, drawing on pop, funk, R&B, hip hop, disco and go-go. It includes “A Toast”, “Don’t Make Me Love U”, “BITCH”, “Sexy Ladies” with UCB (Uncalled 4 Band), and “Goodmorning!”.

Style and themes

Lizzo’s work combines technical rap, strong vocal performance and theatrical presentation. Across her catalogue, she addresses self-love, body image, sexuality, heartbreak, friendship, joy, depression, resilience and confidence, often turning personal experience into collective celebration.