Feature Photo: https://www.flickr.com/people/51458030@N08 digboston, Andy Moran, CC BY 2.0
Melissa Viviane Jefferson, known professionally as Lizzo, built her career on more than just chart-topping hits—she built it on grit, reinvention, and undeniable talent. Born in Detroit in 1988 and raised in Houston from the age of ten, Lizzo’s early years were shaped by a passion for music that included classical flute training and a deep immersion in rap and gospel influences. After studying classical music at the University of Houston, she moved to Minneapolis, where she immersed herself in the city’s diverse music scene and began performing with several independent groups, including The Chalice, Grrrl Prty, and Lizzo & the Larva Ink. Her early solo efforts, Lizzobangers (2013) and Big Grrrl Small World (2015), were released independently and helped her build a cult following.
Lizzo’s big breakthrough came after signing with Nice Life and Atlantic Records. Her first major-label EP, Coconut Oil, was released in 2016 and set the stage for mainstream success. Blending soul, funk-pop, and hip-hop with messages of body positivity and self-empowerment, Lizzo found her unique voice. The EP featured tracks like “Good as Hell,” which later became a sleeper hit, climbing the charts years after its initial release. But it was her 2019 studio album Cuz I Love You that catapulted her into global stardom. The album featured the now-iconic single “Truth Hurts,” a song that became a cultural phenomenon, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks—despite having originally been released two years prior.
Cuz I Love You was a commercial and critical triumph, peaking at number four on the Billboard 200. It also earned Lizzo eight Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year. She won three: Best Urban Contemporary Album, Best Pop Solo Performance for “Truth Hurts,” and Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Jerome.” Lizzo’s blend of powerhouse vocals, flute solos, and fearless stage presence transformed her into one of the most electrifying performers of the decade. Her music, often focused on themes of confidence and inclusion, resonated across audiences and helped redefine what pop stardom could look and sound like in the 21st century.
In 2022, Lizzo released her fourth studio album, Special, featuring the hit single “About Damn Time,” which became her second number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and continued her streak of success with major award recognition. “About Damn Time” won Record of the Year at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, solidifying her reputation not just as a charting artist but as a cultural force. With Special, she further expanded her sound and songwriting, incorporating more disco, pop, and dance influences while continuing to deliver empowering messages.
Lizzo’s presence extends well beyond music. She starred in the 2019 film Hustlers and launched her own shapewear brand, Yitty, in 2022, developed in partnership with Fabletics. She also created and executive produced the Emmy-winning Amazon Prime series Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, which showcased her efforts to promote body diversity in the entertainment industry. In both her music and public persona, Lizzo has become a major advocate for body positivity, mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice.
Despite her career highs, Lizzo has also faced challenges. In 2023, she was named in a lawsuit involving allegations from former dancers, which she denied. The legal proceedings brought increased scrutiny, but Lizzo remained focused on her work, continuing to record and perform while addressing the controversy publicly. That same year, she continued releasing music and announced plans for future projects, including a fifth studio album.
Over the course of her career, Lizzo has earned numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards, a Billboard Music Award, a BET Award, and multiple Soul Train Awards. Her albums have charted internationally, and she’s performed on some of the biggest stages in the world—from Glastonbury to the Grammys. Her impact on the music industry reaches beyond genre; she’s helped shift the cultural conversation about identity, confidence, and what it means to be an entertainer in this era.
Complete List Of Lizzo Songs From A to Z
- 1 Deep – Big Grrrl Small World – 2015
- 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready) – Special – 2022
- A Very Special Message from Lizzo – Special (Apple Music Edition) – 2022
- About Damn Time – Special – 2022
- About Damn Time (Purple Disco Machine Remix) – Special (Japanese Edition) – 2022
- Ain’t I – Big Grrrl Small World – 2015
- Basement Queens (with Sad13) – Non-album single – 2016
- Batches & Cookies – Lizzobangers – 2013
- B.G.S.W. – Big Grrrl Small World – 2015
- Be Still – Lizzobangers – 2013
- Betcha – Big Grrrl Small World – 2015
- Better in Color – Cuz I Love You – 2019
- Birthday Girl – Special – 2022
- Bloodlines – Lizzobangers – 2013
- Bother Me – Big Grrrl Small World – 2015
- Boys – Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) – 2019
- Break Up Twice – Special – 2022
- Bus Passes and Happy Meals – Lizzobangers – 2013
- Coldplay – Special – 2022
- Crybaby – Cuz I Love You – 2019
- Cuz I Love You – Cuz I Love You – 2019
- En Love – Big Grrrl Small World – 2015
- Everybody’s Gay – Special – 2022
- Exactly How I Feel – Cuz I Love You – 2019
- Faded – Lizzobangers – 2013
- Fitness – Non-album single – 2018
- Go – Lizzobangers – 2013
- Good as Hell – Coconut Oil EP – 2016
- Good as Hell (Remix) – Cuz I Love You (Super Deluxe) – 2019
- Grrrls – Special – 2022
- Hands Up Don’t Shoot! (N.A.S.A. featuring Sean Paul and Lizzo) – Non-album single – 2015
- Heaven Help Me – Cuz I Love You – 2019
- Hot Dish – Lizzobangers – 2013
- Humanize – Big Grrrl Small World – 2015
- I Love You Bitch – Special – 2022
- If You Love Me – Special – 2022
- Iko (N.A.S.A. featuring Lizzo) – Non-album single – 2015
- Jang a Lang – Big Grrrl Small World – 2015
- Jerome – Cuz I Love You – 2019
- Juice – Cuz I Love You – 2019
- Juice (Breakbot Remix) – Cuz I Love You (Japanese Edition) – 2019
- Let ‘Em Say (with Caroline Smith) – Broad City: Original Series Soundtrack – 2014
- Like a Girl – Cuz I Love You – 2019
- Lingerie – Cuz I Love You – 2019
- Lizzie Borden – Lizzobangers – 2013
- Love in Real Life – Love in Real Life – 2025
- Luv It – Lizzobangers – 2013 (2014 reissue)
- Make Way – Lizzobangers – 2013
- My Skin – Big Grrrl Small World – 2015
- Naked – Special – 2022
- Never Felt Like Christmas – Non-album single – 2015
- Night Watch (as Grrrl Prty) – Non-album single – 2013
- Pants vs. Dress – Lizzobangers – 2013
- Paris – Lizzobangers – 2013 (2014 reissue)
- Phone – Coconut Oil EP – 2016
- Pink – Barbie the Album – 2023
- Ride – Big Grrrl Small World – 2015
- Rumors (featuring Cardi B) – Non-album single – 2021
- Someday at Christmas – Special (Holiday Edition) – 2022
- Soulmate – Cuz I Love You – 2019
- Special – Special – 2022
- Special (featuring SZA) – Special (Remix) – 2023
- Stayin’ Alive – Non-album single – 2019
- Still Bad – Love in Real Life – 2025
- T-Baby – Lizzobangers – 2013
- Tempo – Cuz I Love You – 2019
- The Fade – Big Grrrl Small World – 2015
- The Realest – Big Grrrl Small World – 2015
- The Sign – Special – 2022
- Truth Hurts – Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) – 2019
- Truth Hurts (DaBaby Remix) – Cuz I Love You (Japanese Super Deluxe) – 2019
- Truth Hurts (featuring AB6IX) – Cuz I Love You (Japanese Super Deluxe) – 2019
- Wat U Mean – Lizzobangers – 2013
- Water Me – Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) – 2019
- Wegula (as Grrrl Prty) – Non-album single – 2013
- W.E.R.K. Pt. II – Lizzobangers – 2013
Albums
Lizzobangers (2013): 15 songs
Big Grrrl Small World (2015): 12 songs
Coconut Oil EP (2016): 2 songs
Cuz I Love You (2019): 19 songs (including all versions)
Special (2022): 15 songs (including all bonus tracks)
Love in Real Life (2025): 2 songs
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Lizzo articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Complete List Of Lizzo Albums And Discography
Top 10 Lizzo Songs
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