Overview
Lizzo’s third studio album Cuz I Love You released April 19, 2019, debuting at #6 with 33,000 units. The body-positive, self-love album became a cultural phenomenon when “Truth Hurts” (originally released in 2017) went viral on TikTok, spending 7 weeks at #1 and making Lizzo a household name.
”Truth Hurts” Viral Resurrection
“Truth Hurts” released September 2017 as a standalone single, initially flopping (#50 peak in 2017). Two years later, it went viral on TikTok in April 2019, the same week Cuz I Love You dropped. The “I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100% that bitch” became a self-empowerment anthem.
The song spent 7 weeks at #1 (September-November 2019), making it the longest-running #1 by a solo female rapper. It went 5x Platinum.
”Good as Hell” Second Wind
“Good as Hell” (originally from 2016’s Coconut Oil EP) also experienced a 2019 resurgence, peaking at #3 after being added to the deluxe edition of Cuz I Love You. The feel-good anthem “Hair toss, check my nails” became a self-care mantra.
Body Positivity Movement
Lizzo’s unapologetic confidence and plus-size visibility made her a body-positive icon. She played flute on stage, twerked in thongs at concerts, and rejected societal beauty standards. Her message resonated with fans tired of Instagram perfection.
”Juice” Confidence Anthem
“Juice” (#35) served as the album’s lead single, with Lizzo declaring “If I’m shinin’, everybody gonna shine / I was born like this, don’t even gotta try.” The Prince-influenced funk showcased her musical versatility.
Grammy Dominance
At the 2020 Grammys, Lizzo led with 8 nominations and won:
- Best Pop Solo Performance (“Truth Hurts”)
- Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Jerome”)
- Best Urban Contemporary Album (Cuz I Love You)
She performed a medley of “Cuz I Love You” and “Truth Hurts” with a 20-piece orchestra.
Critical Acclaim
Cuz I Love You received a 78 Metacritic score. Critics praised Lizzo’s charisma, vocal range, and genre-blending (R&B, soul, funk, hip-hop).
Cultural Impact
Lizzo’s 2019 dominance made her Time’s Entertainer of the Year. Her body positivity, flute-playing, and self-love message influenced pop culture’s embrace of diverse body types. #Lizzo generated 85M+ social media posts.
”100% That Bitch” Meme
The “DNA test” lyric became one of 2019’s biggest memes, applied to everything from career accomplishments to relationship drama. The phrase entered everyday vocabulary.
Legacy
Cuz I Love You proved viral moments could resurrect old songs and launch careers. Lizzo’s success demonstrated demand for body-positive, self-empowerment pop music.
Source: Grammy Awards 2020