Lizzo: Special In Many Ways

I don’t think people fully appreciate all that Lizzo brings to the table. I don’t just mean how she draws inspiration from Lauryn Hill and effortlessly fuses singing and rapping. Or her bursting star personality. In an age of social media and SoundCloud artists, Lizzo is thankfully someone who embodies the best of the previous generation of musical artists. There once was a time when an artist had to “pay their dues” before they got a big break. They sang back up, did studio sessions, hoping and praying and waiting for their turn to shine. I think that process of incrementally moving closer to their final goal went a long way into the final product that an artist became. Now more than ever, there are overnight sensations. Just one youtube viral video creates the next big thing. I’m not totally against the current climate of artists being able to take more control and dictate themselves how their career gets managed, but I do think skipping the process artists miss out on some things.

Lizzo is not in this space. With over 10 years in the music industry, she has moved up year after year until she reached her superstar status. Building a local following before signing with a major label. Releasing small independent projects and then label-backed EPs and studio albums, all before hitting the stratosphere when the single “Truth Hurts” shot up like a rocket. It was during this time that Lizzo seriously questioned whether or not she would continue her music career. This is the type of grind, hard work, and determination that forms and shapes the great ones. The artist, the success, and the woman that she is have all been forged during the early years of her career. And now the fame, glamor, and attention are just highlighting who she already had become. The confidence Lizzo exudes has been earned. She proved to herself first that she belongs, and fortunately we are all able to now catch up.

With her newest release Special, she continues to cement herself as a dynamic artist and chart-topper. The first single from the project “About Damn Time” is currently sitting atop the Billboard Hot 100. This song has such a vibe to it. I instantly have the urge to put on roller skates like it was 1987. The retro pop feel from the guitar riffs and the synthesizer to the backup singers just transport you back to the era that Lizzo is cut from. As you would expect, the album is sprinkled with all sorts of high-energy tracks that would be Lizzo twerk approved from the very opening “The Sign” and the “2 Be loved (Am I ready)”. The latter again feels very throwback to the ’80s, maybe it’s the “Juice” visuals lingering, but “2 Be Loved” could also be a soundtrack to a workout video full of spandex, scrunch leggings, and headbands. It even features the long forgotten big note common in 80’s pop and R&B. Then there is the intimate and sexy “Naked”. Lizzo stands strong for body positivity for everyone with the line “All the conversations say I should feel a way. I don’t care what people think or spin or sway…. Love how you look at me naked, come make this body feel sacred.” This type of confidence and self-love is setting an example for everyone regardless of size, shape, or color, to embrace who you are and expect to be valued for who you are.

If that wasn't enough, Lizzo demonstrates humility and grace despite her platform. When the controversy arose due to an offensive word commonly used to describe those with cerebral palsy in the track “Grrrls”. She quickly apologized and removed the word without hesitation. Many would have delayed response or waited to see if the controversy would get overlooked in our non-stop news cycle. But instead, she addressed it right away and made the change regardless of how big or small the controversy was. This is the type of artist that truly is special. The type of person that is true to who they have become despite achieving a level of stardom that many dreams of. And it's seen most clearly in the title track where Lizzo is the most vulnerable and relatable. “Fame is pretty new but I've been used to people judging me. That's why I move the way I move and why I’m so in love with me. I’m used to feeling alone, oh So, I thought I’d let you know, In case nobody told you today You’re special. In case nobody made you believe, You’re special.” In a time of cancel culture, isolation, rising anxiety, and mental health issues, Lizzo calls out to any and everybody to let them know that she sees them and they matter. That's Special.