Lizzo, the celebrated singer, has expressed her thoughts on how her music, although immensely popular among white audiences, is intended for a Black audience. She feels concerned about this widespread popularity, saying this predicament is what unsettles her the most.
Reflecting on the criticisms she’s faced, Lizzo commented, “This is perhaps the most significant criticism I’ve encountered, and it sparks an important discussion about Black artists. When Black audiences
see predominantly white people attending their concerts, the assumption is often, ‘This isn’t for me, it’s for them.’ Achieving a certain level of fame typically results in a largely white audience.”
She continued, “So am I making music for that girl who resembles me, who grew up feeling underappreciated, mocked, and told she wasn’t beautiful? Absolutely.”
Lizzo also addressed the voices who misinterpret her intentions as racially biased.
“It’s astonishing when people accuse me of not creating from a Black viewpoint—how can I possibly detach from my identity as a Black artist?”
Both an astute artist and a savvy businesswoman, Lizzo emphasized, “I’m not crafting music for white people. I am a Black woman creating music stemming from my Black experiences.”
Born as Melissa Jefferson, Lizzo describes her music as a personal balm, saying she creates for her own healing from life’s many experiences.