Lizzo
Biography
Melissa Viviane Jefferson, known professionally as Lizzo, was born in Detroit, Michigan, on April 27, 1988. At the age of ten, her family moved to Houston, Texas. It was in Houston that she began to develop her musical talents, classically training as a flutist from the age of ten until she graduated from high school. At 14, she formed a rap group called Cornrow Clique and acquired the nickname "Lizzo," a variation of "Lissa" inspired by Jay-Z's song "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)." She later studied classical music with a focus on the flute at the University of Houston on a music scholarship but left before completing her degree to pursue her music career. After her father's death, she experienced a period of homelessness, living out of her car for a year. In 2011, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where her music career began to take shape.
Early Career and Independent Releases
In Minneapolis, Lizzo became active in the local music scene, performing with various groups. She was a member of the electro-soul-pop duo Lizzo & the Larva Ink and the all-female R&B-rap trio The Chalice, which released their album "We Are The Chalice" in 2012. She was also a part of the hip-hop group Grrrl Prty, which released two EPs before disbanding. A significant moment in her early career was her collaboration with the legendary artist Prince, who featured her on his album "Plectrumelectrum" in 2014. Lizzo released her debut solo album, "Lizzobangers," in 2013 on an independent label, followed by her second album, "Big Grrrl Small World," in 2015.
Mainstream Breakthrough and "Cuz I Love You"
Lizzo's mainstream breakthrough came with the release of her third studio album, "Cuz I Love You," in 2019, which was her first on a major label, Atlantic Records. The album peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album's success was propelled by the singles "Juice" and "Tempo." However, it was her 2017 single "Truth Hurts" that became a viral sleeper hit two years after its initial release, topping the US Billboard Hot 100. Her 2016 single "Good as Hell" also climbed the charts during this time, reaching the top ten. At the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, Lizzo received eight nominations, the most for any artist that year, and won for Best Urban Contemporary Album, Best Pop Solo Performance for "Truth Hurts," and Best Traditional R&B Performance for the song "Jerome".
Artistry and Activism
Lizzo is known for her energetic performances, which often incorporate her flute playing. Her flute, which she has named Sasha Flute, has its own Instagram account. Her music blends hip-hop, soul, R&B, and funk-pop. A central theme in her music is body positivity, self-love, and empowerment. She is a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion, and her backup dancers, the Big Grrrls, are all plus-size dancers. In 2022, at the People's Choice Awards, she was honored with the People's Champion award and used her acceptance speech to highlight and share the stage with 17 activists fighting for various causes.
Recent Work and Impact
In 2022, Lizzo released her fourth studio album, "Special," which featured the lead single "About Damn Time." The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and she won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year for the track, making her the first Black woman to win the award since Whitney Houston in 1994. Beyond her music career, Lizzo has also ventured into acting, with a voice role in the animated film "UglyDolls" (2019) and an appearance in the film "Hustlers" (2019). She also hosts the Amazon Prime Video reality television series "Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls," for which she won an Emmy Award.