Lizzo - 'My Face Hurts From Smiling'

What’s Good Y’all! 2013 Lizzo is back in the building! Whether you rock with her or don’t, just know it’s a whole different type of B*tch that’s coming! Lizzo returns after a hiatus and talks of possibly giving up music with a brand new album, ‘My Face Hurts From Smiling.’ Since becoming more mainstream, Lizzo has had her fair share of controversy. For such a talented individual, I've always thought it was insane how much hate she gets. Not only is she a great performer and singer, but she raps and can play a MF FLUTE! Playing a flute while twerking has always tripped me out as a skillset I wish I had, and yet…I’ve always felt alone in the amazement of such an act. What is it that made Lizzo such a target? I wish there were a specific answer that wasn’t rooted in anti-blackness, fatphobia, and hating black women who are free and secure within themselves. But unfortunately, this has not been the case throughout Lizzo’s career. 

Born in Detroit but raised in Houston, Texas, it wouldn’t be until 2013 that Lizzo arrived on the scene, releasing her first Hip-Hop/Rap album entitled ‘Lizzobangers. Then in 2015, she ran it back with ‘Big Grrrl Small World’. However, it wouldn’t be until 2016 and her EP release of ‘Coconut Oil’ that I finally discovered this talented queen! Taking a new approach with her sound, flexing her vocals by singing on each track, and embracing how good she feels to be a beautiful, black woman, this EP did it for me as I was struggling with weight gain and self-confidence at the time. But it wouldn’t be until 2019 with the release of her third studio album, ‘Cuz I Love You’, that Lizzo would attain mainstream success and peak number four on the US Billboard 200. With her 2017 single ‘Truth Hurts’ going viral, two years after its release, and then her 2016 single ‘Good as Hell’ also climbing the charts, it was safe to say Lizzo was slowly becoming a household name. 

With fame also comes controversy, as Lizzo continues to climb the charts, she also begins to take heat for some of the things she does and says, amongst some misconduct allegations that came out in 2023 regarding her interaction with her dancers and former creative director. With her name constantly appearing mainly in a negative light, it was not surprising that Lizzo disappeared for a while to find herself again. And this new album does its best to reflect just that. 

With a new look, a new pep in her step, we are reintroduced to Lizzo as she raps on classic house beats with a mix of southern rap, and of course, I’d be remiss to not mention the use of a Beethoven beat on the song ‘New Mistakes.’ With features from Sza on ‘IRL’ and Doja Cat on  ‘Still Cant FUH.’ Along with her shoutouts of other problematic women within the industry, it's hard to erase why she may be the problem, listening to the album. 

While I can twerk and have a good time listening to the new album, and also resonate deeply with tracks like ‘Cut Em Off,’ I refuse to pretend that not giving Lizzo the side eye. 

Now, the 2023 case is still ongoing and doesn’t absolve Lizzo from anything; however, listening to this album, I’ll say this: it’s hard to separate the artist from the music, especially when the art typically reflects the life of the artist. Lizzo crashed out, took a break, and came back full swing with 13 songs you can bump in the gym or at a pool party. And once again, you either like her or you don’t, but at the end of the day, “It is what it is, but it ain’t what it ain’t, though.”

While morally still conflicted, just like our court system, I still checked out the album and downloaded it till otherwise noted. If you have yet to take a listen yourself, check out the links below: 

APPLE

SOUNDCLOUD

TIDAL

YOUTUBE