Lizzo is often the topic of discussion in the media.
Most recently, her name was mentioned in a TV interview with Kanye West, in which the rapper made comments about her weight and body image.
In a recent spread for Vanity Fair, the “About Damn Time” singer opens up about the “biggest criticism” she receives: that the music she makes is for white people.
“I am not making music for white people,” Lizzo says. “I am a Black woman, I am making music from my Black experience, for me to heal myself [from] the experience we call life.”
The Grammy winner is all for helping people with her music, especially Black women. “Because we are the most marginalized and neglected people in this country,” the singer says.
“We need self-love and self-love anthems more than anybody. So am I making music for that girl right there who looks like me, who grew up in a city where she was underappreciated and picked on and made to feel unbeautiful? Yes.”
Lizzo says she’s always baffled by comments her music isn’t meant for the Black audience. “How could I not do that as a Black artist?” she wonders.
While perplexed, the singer says she realizes she’s not the only artist who has received the criticism from fans.
“The thing is, when a Black artist reaches a certain level of popularity, it’s going to be a predominantly white crowd,” Lizzo said, using musicians like Diana Ross, Tina Turner and Beyoncé as examples.
Once bothered by the criticism, Lizzo credits the “real world” conversations with Black women who’ve been inspired by her music as a source of happiness today.
She tells Vanity Fair, “I finally feel I can relax and have a cocktail.”
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