Musician Receives Criticism After Expressing She’s ‘Not Creating Music Exclusively For Any Specific Audience

Note: This story, originally featured in news reports from October 2022, is being republished.

Lizzo, the Grammy-winning artist, is openly discussing the complexities of her rise to fame and the predominantly white fanbase that accompanies it.

In an exclusive interview with Vanity Fair for its November cover story, the 34-year-old music sensation, born Melissa Viviane Jefferson, shared insights into her artistic journey and the purpose behind her music. Lizzo confidently stated that while her popularity has soared, she doesn’t tailor her music to a specific racial demographic. Instead, she views her music as an authentic reflection of her Black experience—a means of personal healing amidst life’s trials.

Although Lizzo’s musical roots lie in R&B, hip-hop, and gospel, she has also made a significant impact in the pop genre with hits like “Juice,” “Good As Hell,” and the recent “About Damn Time.” Despite attracting a diverse fanbase, including many white fans since her breakthrough in 2019 with “Cuz I Luv You,” Lizzo emphasized that her core audience remains Black women.

Lizzo passionately asserted, “We need self-love and self-love anthems more than anybody.” Her music aims to resonate with Black women who, like her, have encountered underappreciation, bullying, and societal pressures. She finds it puzzling when critics question her dedication to creating music from a Black perspective, seeing it as an intrinsic aspect of her identity as a Black artist.

Addressing her recent controversy involving Founding Father James Madison’s 200-year-old crystal flute, Lizzo believes there is still considerable progress to be made for Black women in America. She candidly expressed feelings of despair, noting that throughout history, Black women have faced unfair treatment and disrespect. Lizzo sees hope when those with privilege acknowledge their role, stressing the importance of progress, particularly for individuals like herself—a plus-sized Black woman.

Lizzo’s commitment to social issues is evident through her activism. Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June, she donated $500,000 to Planned Parenthood and the National Network of Abortion Funds. Notably, her tour promoter, Live Nation, matched this donation with an additional $500,000. Lizzo attributes the significance of race in the ruling, highlighting what she perceives as a pervasive issue of white male supremacy in the country, often with complicity from various quarters, including white women.