History of Lizzo in Timeline

Melissa Viviane Jefferson, known as Lizzo, is an American rapper and singer. She began her music career in Minneapolis after moving from Detroit and Houston. Before signing with a major label, she released two albums, 'Lizzobangers' and 'Big Grrrl Small World'. In 2016, she released her first major-label EP, 'Coconut Oil'.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

April 27, 1988: Melissa Viviane Jefferson Born

Melissa Viviane Jefferson, who later became known as Lizzo, was born on April 27, 1988, in Detroit, Michigan.

April 27, 1988: Lizzo's Birth

On April 27, 1988, Melissa Viviane Jefferson, known as Lizzo, was born in Detroit, Michigan.

1994: Reference to Whitney Houston's Grammy Win

In 2022, with her Grammy win, Lizzo became the first black female singer since Whitney Houston in 1994 to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

2006: High School Graduation and Rapping

In 2006, Lizzo graduated from Alief Elsik High School, where she had started rapping.

2009: Ellypseas Performance

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

2010: Continued Performance with Ellypseas

In 2010, Lizzo continued performing lead vocals and playing 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 Album Release

In 2012, Lizzo's group, the Chalice, released their first album, "We Are the Chalice", which gained local success.

2012: Reference to Rihanna's Hot 100 Hit

In 2019, 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, was released.

October 2013: Picked to Click Award

In October 2013, Lizzo won City Pages' "Picked to Click" award for best new Twin Cities artist.

2013: Lizzobangers Album Release

In 2013, Lizzo released "Lizzobangers", one of her two studio albums prior to signing with a major record label.

2013: Formation of Grrrl Prty

In 2013, Lizzo was one of five artists who formed 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 album Plectrumelectrum.

October 7, 2014: Late Show with David Letterman Appearance

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

2014: 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: Artist to Watch

In 2014, Time named Lizzo one of 14 music artists to watch.

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: Big Grrrl Small World Album Release

In 2015, Lizzo released her second studio album, "Big Grrrl Small World", before signing with Nice Life Recording Company and Atlantic Records.

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, 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, after signing with Atlantic Records.

2016: "Good as Hell" Climbs Charts Internationally

Around 2019, Lizzo's 2016 single "Good as Hell" climbed the charts around the world.

2016: Coconut Oil EP Release

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

2016: "Good as Hell" Climbs Charts

In 2016, Lizzo released the single "Good as Hell", which later climbed the charts around the time "Truth Hurts" went viral.

2016: Positive Reviews for Coconut Oil

In 2016, Lizzo's "Coconut Oil" received positive reviews from music critics.

2016: Disbanding of Grrrl Prty

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

2017: Good as Hell Tour

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

2017: "Truth Hurts" Single Release

In 2017, Lizzo initially released the single "Truth Hurts", which later became a viral hit in 2019.

June 11, 2018: Say It Louder Campaign

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

June 2018: NYC Pride Performance

In June 2018, Lizzo sported the first plus-size outfit made for FIT's Future of Fashion runway show at NYC Pride's Pride Island event.

June 2018: Discussion of Sexuality in Interview

In a June 2018 interview, Lizzo discussed her sexuality, stating she doesn't ascribe to just one thing and considers herself an ally who "leans heterosexual."

2018: Discussion on singing and inspiration from Lauryn Hill

In a 2018 interview, Lizzo discussed her journey into singing, stating that Lauryn Hill inspired her to combine rapping and singing in her music.

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: "Juice" Release

On January 4, 2019, Lizzo released "Juice", the lead single from her third studio album, "Cuz I Love You".

April 19, 2019: Cuz I Love You Album Release

On April 19, 2019, Lizzo's album, "Cuz I Love You" was released.

July 23, 2019: MTV VMA Nominations

On July 23, 2019, Lizzo was nominated for Push Artist of the Year and Best New Artist at the 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.

December 2019: Controversy at Los Angeles Lakers game

In December 2019, Lizzo sparked controversy at a Los Angeles Lakers game for her dancing and attire.

December 21, 2019: Saturday Night Live Debut

On December 21, 2019, Lizzo made her Saturday Night Live debut as a musical guest.

2019: Mainstream Success with Cuz I Love You

In 2019, Lizzo achieved mainstream success with her third studio album, "Cuz I Love You", which peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 and featured the singles "Juice" and "Tempo".

2019: Acting Ventures

In 2019, Lizzo had a voice performance in the animated film UglyDolls and appeared in the crime comedy-drama film Hustlers.

2019: Acting Roles and Entertainer of the Year

In 2019, Lizzo had voice role in UglyDolls and appeared in Hustlers. Time also named Lizzo "Entertainer of the Year" for her rise and contributions to music.

2019: Sasha Flute Performance at BET Awards

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

2019: Recognition for woodwind renaissance

In 2019, Lizzo was credited for "the woodwind renaissance" as "the flute's brightest champion" in the mainstream.

2019: "Truth Hurts" Gains Popularity

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

2019: Summer Performances

Throughout the summer of 2019, Lizzo frequently performed, including at the Glastonbury Festival and as a headliner at pride festivals.

January 5, 2020: Departure from Twitter

On January 5, 2020, Lizzo stopped using Twitter, citing "too many trolls" as the reason.

January 2020: FOMO Festival and Sydney Opera House Show

In January 2020, Lizzo headlined FOMO Festival and performed a sold-out show at the Sydney Opera House.

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 "new era" with song "Rumors"

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

October 2021: Criticism for calling Chris Brown her "favorite person"

In October 2021, Lizzo faced criticism for calling Chris Brown her "favorite person in the whole fucking world", referencing Brown's various convictions.

2021: "Rumors" Single Release

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 single "About Damn Time"

On March 23, 2022, Lizzo announced that her 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 Watch Out for the Big Grrrls premiered on Amazon Prime Video.

April 16, 2022: Saturday Night Live host and musical guest

On April 16, 2022, Lizzo appeared on Saturday Night Live as both the host and musical guest.

June 10, 2022: Release of "Grrrls" and controversy over lyrics

On June 10, 2022, Lizzo released "Grrrls", the first promotional single from her album Special, which then generated controversy due to the use of the word "spaz".

July 15, 2022: Release of album 'Special'

On July 15, 2022, Lizzo released her fourth studio album "Special" and launched Lizzoverse, an immersive light show experience.

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, replacing the band Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

2022: Donation to Planned Parenthood

In 2022, Lizzo donated $500,000 to Planned Parenthood after the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

2022: 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.

2022: Relationship with Myke Wright

In 2022, Lizzo was romantically linked to comedian Myke Wright.

February 2023: Grammy Award for "Record of the Year"

In February 2023, "About Damn Time" won the Grammy Award for "Record of the Year" at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, marking Lizzo's first win in the major categories.

August 2023: Lawsuit filed by former backup dancers

In August 2023, three former backup dancers filed a lawsuit against Lizzo, her production company, and her dance captain, accusing them of various forms of harassment and discrimination.

2023: Release of "Pink" for Barbie film

In 2023, Lizzo's original single "Pink" was featured in the film Barbie and released on the Barbie the Album.

January 2024: Start of daily fitness routines

In January 2024, Lizzo started daily fitness routines, while continuing to advocate for body positivity.

February 2024: Judge rejects request to end backup dancers' case

In February 2024, a Los Angeles judge rejected Lizzo's request to end the three backup dancers' case against her, though some charges were dismissed.

December 2024: Judge's ruling in Asha Daniels lawsuit

In December 2024, a Los Angeles district judge ruled that Asha Daniels could not sue Lizzo and her tour manager Carlina Gugliotta as individuals, dismissing several of Daniels' other claims.