Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months, you'll have noticed the massive impact that Lizzo is having on the music industry. From her incredible lyrics and her infectious beats to her message of self-love, she's the breath of fresh air that we've all been waiting for. But one area in which Lizzo truly excels? Her live performances.
The internet has already been blown away by her sets at the BET Awards and the VMAs. Lizzo was so good, in fact, that she made fans of A-listers like Rihanna and Queen Latifah. Her latest turn at the Philadelphia music festival showed that even Beyonce can't resist her charms.
But not everyone's a Lizzo fan. Rapper, Azealia Banks, took to Instagram this week in a typically incendiary Instagram rant.
Lizzo was born Melissa Viviane Jefferson in Detroit in 1988.
She's been making music for a long time (her debut album came out in 2013) but she's only hit the mainstream fairly recently.Her third studio album, Cuz I Love You, is a total masterpiece.
But it's not just the brilliant music that she makes that has garnered Lizzo such a legion of fans. There's so much more to the star.For one thing, she's totally unique.
Which other plus-size, dance-trained, hip-hop artist plays the flute in almost all of her songs? Truly, Lizzo is one of a kind.But what's even more important than her talent?
It's gotta be Lizzo's incredible message. Her lyrics are all designed to inspire self-love and confidence - particularly in young women. In a world of problematic messages, she's a real force for good.And the internet has responded.
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Social media is rife with jokes about how we are all now trying to love ourselves - if only to make Lizzo proud. Hey, any motivator makes for a good start!In June, Lizzo stormed the stage at the BET Awards.
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She performed her hit single "Truth Hurts," wearing a leotard-wedding-dress - and blew the collective minds of the entire audience.She started the performance atop a giant wedding cake.
Lizzo then proceeded to remove her veil and gown, dance like no one was watching, and even include an impressively intricate flue solo. We have to stan.And eagle-eyed fans noticed one thing.
That’s it... that’s the tweet 🤷🏾♀️ https://t.co/ZgbPMcXwJw— Feelin Good As Hell (@Feelin Good As Hell)1561353358.0
And that hasn't been the end of Lizzo's stage domination.
Things Lizzo did: THAT #MTVVMAs https://t.co/ayALRtJRrC— British GLAMOUR (@British GLAMOUR)1566883461.0
Lizzo performed a medley of her greatest hits.
And, at the end, also managed to preach a message of self-love to the eagerly awaiting audience.And yet again, Lizzo was making famous fans.
p.s. Queen Latifah cheering with her whole body for @lizzo through that #VMAs2019 performance is such a MOOD! https://t.co/sAyPyk95H5— Bridget Liszewski (@Bridget Liszewski)1566906745.0
And, again, Rihanna offered her support to Lizzo.
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In one NSFW Instagram message, Lizzo claims that Rihanna "said I f**ked the stage like it was my side b***h. Don't get mad, Rihanna. I am not trying to blow up your spot, but that was a hard a** line! I might take that line."And that's not Lizzo's only famous fan.
With summer winding down, here’s a sampling of what Michelle and I have been listening to — some new, some old, som… https://t.co/f41MILYSBr— Barack Obama (@Barack Obama)1566660956.0
And, understandably, Lizzo was blown away.
I TWEETED THIS AT 10:26AM AND ONE HOUR LATER PRESIDENT @BarackObama TWEETED ABOUT ME!!! WE’RE FRIENDS NOW I DONT… https://t.co/PsXT5XFaHc— Feelin Good As Hell (@Feelin Good As Hell)1566661614.0
And it seems that there's no end in sight to Lizzo's reign.
Because her latest performance has garnered her yet another high-profile fan - the Queen herself, Beyonce.This weekend was the Philadelphia Music Festival.
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The Made In America festival celebrates the very greatest of U.S. music across a range of genres and is held throughout the month of September.It was co-founded by a particular famous face.
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Jay-Z has long been associated with the festival and he made an appearance (and performance) there this weekend.And that wasn't the only performance.
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Lizzo also took to the stage on Sunday - in a typically amazing array of stagewear. Her set included all of her hit songs, including "Juice" and "Good as Hell," plus exceptional dance moves.She was totally incredible.
100%, that bitch // @lizzo Philadelphia, PA // @MIAFestival Shot for @TIDAL https://t.co/OH0ty8GgXW— Lumpia Papi aka Lechon James (@Lumpia Papi aka Lechon James)1567470612.0
And it seemed like Lizzo also gained a particularly high-profile fan.
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As you'd probably expect, Jay-Z's wife and sometime-collaborator. Beyonce, was in attendance at the festival. She also performed - but her biggest moment took place backstage.Lizzo shared this image on her Insta.
At first glance, it looks like a signature shot of her energetic performance style. But it was actually so much more.She showed the close up on Twitter.
A story in two parts: https://t.co/mmOfgA9wOK— Feelin Good As Hell (@Feelin Good As Hell)1567385309.0
At it gets even better.
BEYONCÉ DANCING TO LIZZO https://t.co/gnKUFi3y4N— s (@s)1567387922.0
People are feeling a little emotional.
when i saw beyoncé backstage at lizzo i had to literally sit down on the curb after for a good 15 minutes before i… https://t.co/HeMRvn8os0— nile (@nile)1567396651.0
And others made this point.
@lizzo ASK TO OPEN FOR HER NEXT TOUR QUEEN!! LIZZO DESERVES STADIUM CROWDS— sucker 🌸 (@sucker 🌸)1567385423.0
But it seems like there's one star who's not such a Lizzo stan.
No stranger to controversy, rapper, Azealia Banks, took to Instagram this week to criticize the rising star.Banks rose to fame on MySpace.
But she broke through to the mainstream with her huge hit "212," released in Septemeber 2011. There was a time when you literally couldn't get away from this tune.Banks has enjoyed some musical success since.
But (unfortunately) that isn't what she's best known for. Nowadays, Banks acts more like a professional troll. Looking for someone to voice an unpopular opinion? Banks will happily do it for you.But her latest rant may be her most unnecessary yet.
Banks let loose at Lizzo on Instagram. If you're wondering why she chose that medium, it's because she's banned from Twitter - of course.In typical mean girl style, Banks first ripped into Lizzo's image.
"I understand the body positivity thing but… imagine what the rest of the world thinks when they see Lizzo jumping around in leotards with cellulite," she wrote.She claims to be looking out for Lizzo's best interests.
"No one says body positivity - she looks like she is making a fool of her black self for a white American public. Nothing more nothing less."Lizzo wasn't the only star in Banks's firing line.
She continued, "like illiterate Cardi B, then fat Lizzo. They are really choosing the worst of the black women's crop to advertise America with. Lmao, the fact that the public and the media has been keeping this fat girl joke going for so long is honestly peak boredom."Screenshots of the rant circulated online.
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While the vast majority jumped to Lizzo's defense, some claim that Azealia wasn't trying to criticize her, and was just trying to shine a spotlight on how to media portrays and responds to successful black women. Hmm.Although others have another suspicion.
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Think about it - when was the last time you heard an Azealia Banks song on the radio? Perhaps this attack is just a way for Banks to remain (at least somewhat) in the public eye.