Career Timeline of Lizzo: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Lizzo, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Lizzo, born Melissa Viviane Jefferson, is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, and actress. Starting her music career in Minneapolis within the hip-hop scene, she independently released two albums before signing with Nice Life Recording Company and Atlantic Records. In 2016, she released her first major-label EP, Coconut Oil.
1994: Lizzo Matches Whitney Houston's Achievement
In 2022, with her single "About Damn Time" reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Lizzo became the first black female singer since Whitney Houston in 1994 to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.
2009: Performing with Ellypseas
In 2009, Lizzo performed lead vocals and flute in the jazz/prog rock quintet Ellypseas.
2010: Continued Performance with Ellypseas
In 2010, Lizzo continued to perform lead vocals and flute in the jazz/prog rock quintet Ellypseas.
2011: Move to Minneapolis
In 2011, Lizzo dropped out of college and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota.
2012: Release of "We Are the Chalice"
In 2012, the Chalice, a three-piece all-female rap/R&B group co-founded by Lizzo, released its first album, We Are the Chalice, which was locally successful.
2012: Rihanna's Hit
Lizzo became the first black solo female R&B singer to claim the top spot on the Hot 100 since Rihanna's 2012 hit "Diamonds".
October 15, 2013: Release of Lizzobangers
On October 15, 2013, Lizzo's hip-hop-focused debut album, Lizzobangers, produced by Lazerbeak and Ryan Olson, was released.
October 2013: Recognition as Best New Twin Cities Artist
In October 2013, Lizzo won City Pages' "Picked to Click" award for best new Twin Cities artist.
2013: Release of Lizzobangers
In 2013, Lizzo released her first studio album, Lizzobangers.
September 2014: Feature on Prince's Album Plectrumelectrum
In September 2014, Lizzo, along with her Chalice bandmates Sophia Eris and Claire de Lune, was featured on the song "BoyTrouble" on Prince's and 3rdeyegirl's album Plectrumelectrum.
October 7, 2014: Appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman
On October 7, 2014, Lizzo appeared as the musical guest on the Late Show with David Letterman.
2014: Participation in StyleLikeU's What's Underneath Project
In 2014, Lizzo participated in StyleLikeU's What's Underneath project, where she removed her clothes as she talked about her relationships with her body, inspiring her to write "My Skin".
2014: Recognition as Music Artist to Watch
In November 2013 but referring to 2014, Time named Lizzo one of 14 music artists to watch in 2014.
December 11, 2015: Release of Big Grrrl Small World
On December 11, 2015, Lizzo's second studio album, Big Grrrl Small World, was released.
2015: Release of Big Grrrl Small World
In 2015, Lizzo released her second studio album, Big Grrrl Small World.
March 8, 2016: Release of "Good as Hell"
On March 8, 2016, "Good as Hell" was released as the lead single from the Coconut Oil EP and as part of the soundtrack for the film Barbershop: The Next Cut.
October 7, 2016: Release of Coconut Oil EP
On October 7, 2016, Lizzo released her first major-label extended play, Coconut Oil, after signing with Atlantic Records.
2016: "Good as Hell" Climbs Charts
Around 2016, Lizzo's single "Good as Hell" climbed the charts, reaching the top ten of both the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart.
2016: "Good as Hell" Climbs Charts Internationally
Around 2019, Lizzo's 2016 single "Good as Hell" climbed the charts around the world, reaching the top three of the Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten of the UK Singles Chart.
2016: Disbanding of Grrrl Prty
In 2016, Grrrl Prty, a hip-hop group Lizzo was a part of, played its final show at Rock the Garden and disbanded.
2016: Release of Coconut Oil
In 2016, Lizzo released her first major-label extended play (EP), Coconut Oil, after signing with Nice Life Recording Company and Atlantic Records.
2016: Positive Reviews for Coconut Oil
In 2016, Lizzo's Coconut Oil received positive reviews from music critics and Rolling Stone placed it at No. 14 on the list of the "20 Best Pop Albums of 2016".
2017: Good as Hell Tour
In 2017, Lizzo embarked on the Good as Hell Tour to promote the Coconut Oil extended play and also appeared as a guest judge on the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.
2017: "Truth Hurts" Initial Release
In 2017, Lizzo released the single "Truth Hurts".
2017: Initial Release of Truth Hurts
In 2017, Lizzo released the single "Truth Hurts". The song later gained popularity in 2019.
June 11, 2018: Launch of "Say It Louder" Campaign
Highlighting body inclusivity and celebrating individuality, Lizzo appeared in ModCloth's "Say It Louder" campaign, which launched on June 11, 2018.
June 2018: Appearance at NYC Pride's Pride Island
In June 2018, Lizzo sported the first plus-size outfit made for FIT's Future of Fashion runway show by Grace Insogna for her performance at NYC Pride's Pride Island event.
2018: Touring with Haim and Florence and the Machine
In early 2018, Lizzo toured with both Haim and Florence and the Machine.
January 4, 2019: Release of "Juice"
On January 4, 2019, Lizzo released "Juice", the lead single from her third studio album, by Atlantic Records.
April 19, 2019: Release of "Cuz I Love You"
On April 19, 2019, Lizzo released her third studio album, Cuz I Love You.
July 23, 2019: MTV Video Music Awards Nominations
On July 23, 2019, Lizzo was nominated for Push Artist of the Year and Best New Artist at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.
September 9, 2019: "Cuz I Love You" Certified Gold
On September 9, 2019, Lizzo's album Cuz I Love You was certified gold by the RIAA with over 500,000 equivalent units sold.
December 21, 2019: Saturday Night Live Debut
On December 21, 2019, Lizzo made her debut as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live. Eddie Murphy hosted the episode, which was the final episode of the year and the decade.
2019: Mainstream Success with "Cuz I Love You"
In 2019, Lizzo achieved mainstream success with the release of her third studio album, Cuz I Love You, which peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 and spawned the singles "Juice" and "Tempo".
2019: Acting Roles and Recognition
In 2019, Lizzo had a voice role in the film UglyDolls, appeared in the film Hustlers, hosted Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, won a Primetime Emmy Award, and was named Time's "Entertainer of the Year".
2019: "Truth Hurts" Gains Popularity
In 2019, after inspiring an internet meme and being featured in the Netflix film Someone Great, Lizzo's 2017 single "Truth Hurts" began to gain popularity.
2019: Cited for Championing the Flute
In 2019, an article in The Guardian credited Lizzo for "the woodwind renaissance" and described her as "the flute's brightest champion" in the mainstream.
2019: Summer Performances
Throughout the summer of 2019, Lizzo frequently performed, including on the West Holts stage at the Glastonbury Festival, and as a headliner at the Indianapolis and Sacramento pride festivals.
January 2020: FOMO Festival and Sydney Opera House Performance
In January 2020, Lizzo headlined the FOMO Festival, performing in four Australian cities and Auckland, New Zealand. She also performed a sold-out show at the Sydney Opera House, where she had previously performed as a young flute player.
August 2020: Amazon Studios Production Deal
In August 2020, Lizzo signed a production deal with Amazon Studios to develop new projects. Her first project was an unscripted reality competition series called Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.
August 2, 2021: Announcement of a New Era with "Rumors"
On August 2, 2021, Lizzo announced the beginning of a "new era" with the song "Rumors," which was released on August 13.
2021: Release of "Rumors"
In 2021, Lizzo released the single "Rumors" featuring Cardi B, which debuted within the Billboard Hot 100's top five.
March 23, 2022: Announcement of "About Damn Time" Release
On March 23, 2022, Lizzo announced the single "About Damn Time" would be released on April 14.
March 24, 2022: Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls Premieres
On March 24, 2022, Lizzo's unscripted reality competition series, Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, premiered.
April 16, 2022: Saturday Night Live Hosting and Musical Guest Appearance
On April 16, 2022, Lizzo returned to Saturday Night Live as both host and musical guest.
June 10, 2022: "Grrrls" Release and Lyric Controversy
On June 10, 2022, Lizzo released "Grrrls", the first promotional single from her album Special. The song's original lyrics, which included the word "spaz", generated controversy, and the line was later changed to "hold me back".
July 15, 2022: Release of the Album Special
On July 15, 2022, Lizzo released her fourth studio album, Special, which received positive reviews from music critics. She also launched Lizzoverse, an immersive cosmic light show experience set to Special, in New York City.
December 17, 2022: Third Appearance on Saturday Night Live
On December 17, 2022, Lizzo made her third appearance as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live, with Austin Butler hosting. Lizzo replaced the band Yeah Yeah Yeahs due to a member's illness.
2022: Donation to Planned Parenthood
In 2022, Lizzo donated $500,000 to Planned Parenthood after the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.
2022: Release of "Special"
In 2022, Lizzo released her fourth studio album, Special, preceded by its lead single "About Damn Time", which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
February 2023: "About Damn Time" Wins Record of the Year at the Grammys
In February 2023, "About Damn Time" won the "Record of the Year" award at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, marking Lizzo's first win in the major categories.
2024: Endorsement of Kamala Harris for President
In 2024, Lizzo endorsed Kamala Harris for the U.S. presidential election.
February 15, 2025: Teasing a New Project Titled "LIRL"
On February 15, 2025, Lizzo started teasing a new project titled "LIRL" by sharing a video clip on social media, slated with a release date on February 28.
February 28, 2025: Release of Lead Single "Love in Real Life"
On February 28, 2025, Lizzo released the lead single off of her upcoming fifth studio album, titled "Love in Real Life".
June 24, 2025: Sharing the Track Listing and Cover Art for "My Face Hurts from Smiling"
On June 24, 2025, Lizzo shared the track listing and cover art for her third mixtape, My Face Hurts from Smiling, which was released on June 27 by Nice Life Recording Company and Atlantic Records.
2025: Release of My Face Hurts from Smiling
In 2025, Lizzo released her mixtape My Face Hurts from Smiling, marking a return to her hip-hop roots.
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