Lizzo Says Black Female Artists Are Disrespected

Lizzo is on one—and this time, it’s for good reason. She just released her latest single, “Still Bad,” and a review caught her eye that she says is an example of how Black women artists are treated.

“Saying my brand of ‘poptimism’ doesn’t work in a ‘post Covid world’ is a lazy take,” she posted on X. “As if I didn’t release ‘about damn time’ post pandemic..”

She was responding to criticism of her new single and album of the same title. Some fans have been vocal about its bubbly mood, considering all that is going on in the White House that is impacting African Americans. That led Lizzo to share her feelings that Black women artists are often criticized, ridiculed, and taken advantage of.

“I think seeing and hearing a black woman make real music with radical joy triggers miserable people,” Lizzo added. “But I follow in the footsteps of Janet, of Funkadelic, of Earth Wind and Fire… nobody’s doing it like me for Us. And I stand on that.”

Lizzo, born Melissa Jefferson 36 years ago, was raised in Houston, moving to Minneapolis in 2011. There, she sang with several local bands and released albums independently until coming to the attention of Atlantic Records. She signed with them in 2016. Since then, she’s become part of the pop music pantheon with hits like “Truth Hurts” and “Good As Hell.” But Lizzo’s ascension has been rife with controversy as she’s been criticized for her body and her music has been diminished by some as pop fluff.

“Imagine listening to “say it loud I’m black and I’m proud” and saying it’s too optimistic,” she posted, referencing the James Brown classic from the ’60s. “Imagine listening to “hey yah” and saying it’s too poppy… what André say? Yall don’t wanna listen ya just wanna hate.”

She continued, “Aretha & Whitney got backlash for being “too pop” and they kept going… and so will I. I’m out here reclaiming rock n roll for US.”

Lizzo’s comments were met with a mix of support and disdain with some questioning the Whitney/Aretha comparisons and others encouraging Lizzo to continue to do what she’s doing.

The division about Lizzo’s comments was best summarized by this response on X: “I get what Lizzo was trying to do here but now is not the time for another go lucky Good As Hell song. We need anger, activism and protest in music. We need P!nk’s Dear Mr President energy. Pls read the room sis we can’t power our way through it this time shit needs to change.”

Well, judge for yourself. Watch Lizzo’s video for “Still Bad” below: