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 and rapper. She began her music career in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after moving there following college. Prior to achieving mainstream success with Nice Life Recording Company and Atlantic Records, Lizzo released two independent studio albums, Lizzobangers (2013) and Big Grrrl Small World (2015). She also released her first major-label EP, Coconut Oil, in 2016.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: Performs in Ellypseas

In 2009, Lizzo performed lead vocals and flute in the jazz/prog rock quintet Ellypseas.

2010: Continues Performance in Ellypseas

In 2010, Lizzo continued performing 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: The Chalice Released First Album

In 2012, the Chalice, a group Lizzo was a part of, released its first album, We Are the Chalice, which was locally successful.

October 15, 2013: Release of Lizzobangers

On October 15, 2013, Lizzo's debut album, Lizzobangers, was released and received positive reviews.

2013: Release of 'Lizzobangers'

In 2013, Lizzo released her studio album, Lizzobangers.

2013: Formation of Grrrl Prty

In 2013, Lizzo was one of five artists to form the hip-hop group Grrrl Prty.

September 2014: Featured on Prince's Album

In September 2014, Lizzo was featured alongside her Chalice bandmates on the song "BoyTrouble" on Prince's and 3rdeyegirl's album Plectrumelectrum.

October 7, 2014: Appearance on Late Show with David Letterman

On October 7, 2014, Lizzo appeared as the musical guest on the Late Show with David Letterman.

2014: Participates in StyleLikeU's What's Underneath Project

In 2014, Lizzo participated in StyleLikeU's What's Underneath project, discussing her relationship with her body and inspiring her song "My Skin".

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: "Good as Hell" Release

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: Coconut Oil EP Release

On October 7, 2016, Lizzo released her first major-label extended play, Coconut Oil.

2016: "Good as Hell" Climbs Charts

Around 2016, Lizzo's single "Good as Hell" climbed the charts, reaching the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart.

2016: Release of 'Coconut Oil' EP

In 2016, Lizzo released her first major-label extended play (EP), Coconut Oil.

2016: Positive Reviews for Coconut Oil

In 2016, Lizzo's Coconut Oil received positive reviews from music critics and peaked at number 44 on US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

2016: Disbanding of Grrrl Prty

In 2016, the hip-hop group Grrrl Prty, which Lizzo was a part of, played its final show at Rock the Garden and disbanded.

2017: The Good as Hell Tour

In 2017, Lizzo embarked on the Good as Hell Tour to promote the Coconut Oil extended play.

June 11, 2018: Featured in ModCloth's "Say It Louder" Campaign

On June 11, 2018, Lizzo appeared in ModCloth's "Say It Louder" campaign, highlighting body inclusivity and celebrating individuality.

June 2018: Outfit at FIT's Future of Fashion Runway Show

In June 2018, Lizzo wore 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: Tours 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 Album

On April 19, 2019, Lizzo released her album, Cuz I Love You.

July 23, 2019: VMA 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, in an episode hosted by Eddie Murphy. This episode marked the end 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 reached number four on the US Billboard 200 and included the singles "Juice" and "Tempo".

2019: Performs with Sasha Flute at BET Awards

In 2019, Lizzo performed "Truth Hurts" at the BET Awards with her flute, Sasha Flute, and earned a standing ovation.

2019: Acting Roles and Recognition as Entertainer of the Year

In 2019, Lizzo performed a voice role in the animated film UglyDolls, appeared in the film Hustlers, and was named "Entertainer of the Year" by Time for her contributions to music.

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2019: Ventures into Acting

In 2019, Lizzo ventured into acting, with a voice performance in the animated film UglyDolls, and a supporting part in the crime comedy-drama film Hustlers.

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2019: "Truth Hurts" Gains Popularity

In 2019, after inspiring an internet meme on TikTok and being featured in the Netflix film Someone Great, Lizzo's 2017 single "Truth Hurts" began to gain popularity.

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 Headliner 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 played the flute as a young musician.

August 2020: Production Deal with Amazon Studios

In August 2020, Lizzo signed a production deal with Amazon Studios to develop new projects.

August 2, 2021: Announcement of 'Rumors' and a 'New Era'

On August 2, 2021, Lizzo announced the beginning of a "new era" with the upcoming release of her song "Rumors".

2021: Release of "Rumors"

In 2021, Lizzo released the single "Rumors" (featuring Cardi B), which debuted in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100.

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: Premiere of Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls

On March 24, 2022, Lizzo's unscripted reality competition series, Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, premiered on Amazon.

April 16, 2022: Saturday Night Live Host and Musical Guest

On April 16, 2022, Lizzo returned to Saturday Night Live as both host and musical guest.

June 10, 2022: Release and Controversy Surrounding "Grrrls"

On June 10, 2022, Lizzo released "Grrrls" as a promotional single from Special, which generated controversy due to the inclusion of the word "spaz" in the lyrics. The lyrics were eventually 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 critical acclaim. She also launched Lizzoverse, an immersive light show experience, to accompany the album release.

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.

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' Album and "About Damn Time" Success

In 2022, Lizzo released her fourth studio album, Special, preceded by the lead single "About Damn Time", which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

2023: Release of "Pink" for Barbie Movie

In 2023, Lizzo created the original single titled "Pink" for the film Barbie. It was released on Barbie the Album on July 21 of the same year, with a second version used in the film titled "Pink (Bad Day)" released on July 29.

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February 15, 2025: Teasing of Project "LIRL"

On February 15, 2025, Lizzo began teasing a new project titled "LIRL" by sharing a video clip on social media, with a slated release date on February 28.