The Hot New Artist Everyone Is Talking About: Lizzo

You may recognize her song “Truth Hurts” from the Netflix movie “Someone Great”, or her song “Worship” that was used in a Weight Watchers commercial. Or, maybe you heard “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown cover Lizzo’s “Juice” on Wednesday’s episode of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” No matter how you’ve heard of Lizzo, the point is you’ve heard of her and if you haven’t, just wait.

So, Who Is Lizzo?

To start, Lizzo is a rapper, singer, flutist, and advocate for body positivity and self-love. The fast-rising star's debut album "Cuz I Love You” was released last month, and has received rave reviews from publications like The Rolling Stone, who described it as “flawless". Some even say she’s on her way to becoming a household name just like Beyoncé just don't tell Lizzo that because although it’s a compliment to be compared to Mrs. Carter, this multi-talented artist will let you know that she’s not looking to become the next anyone.

“Spoiler Alert: Beyonce is already Beyonce. There will never be a next Beyonce. And I’ve worked too hard to be Lizzo to just become somebody else," Lizzo tweeted Thursday. Talk about confidence!

Next Beyoncé, or not, there is no denying that the “Fitness” singer is on the rise. It didn’t happen overnight though. Before she was able to come out with her breakthrough album full of inspiring and relatable hits, Lizzo went on quite the journey. A journey that the artist, now 31, started on when she was just 14.

After moving around as a child to both Michigan and Minnesota, it was her time in Texas’ Southwest Alief part of Houston that sparked her rapping career. Originally devoting her talents to groups as one-third part of the all-female group The Chalice and as one-half part of the electro soul-pop duo Lizzo & Larva Ink, it wasn’t until 2013 that Lizzo established herself as a solo artist with the release of her album “Lizzobangers” followed by "Big Grrrl Small World" and "Coconut Oil".

Lizzo is not only a musical force, she's also a proponent of supporting self-love. After struggling with body issues from a young age, she explained to NPR this month, "About 10 years ago, I made the decision that I just wanted to be happy with my body and I just wanted to be happy with who I am. That was the beginning of my journey with learning how to love my body. ...You have to find that love for yourself deep down inside, underneath all of that questioning and ickiness."

And that is the journey that "Cuz I Love You", and all of Lizzo's music takes you on. Essentially providing a guide to loving oneself regardless of sexuality, race, or body with songs "Boys", "My Skin" and "Fitness", respectively, as proof of just that.

Lizzo has performed at Coachella and gone on tour with both Haim and Florence and the Machine but, headlining the 2019 MTV Awards will be her first major televised award show performance marking a huge accomplishment in her budding career. And on top of that, she will be headlining her own personal tour for “Cuz I Love You”.

Lizzo's career is definitely on the high-speed trail and, from the looks of it, not slowing down anytime soon. All aboard!

You can watch Lizzo perform June 17 at 9 p.m. EST during the 2019 MTV Movie & TV Awards on MTV. Her album “Cuz I Love You” is available to download on all streaming platforms.