Lizzo has kicked off her new era with a rock’n’roll tune. The Grammy-winning artist’s shift to rock represents a significant musical evolution from her previous pop and hip-hop influenced sound.
The ‘Truth Hurts’ hitmaker has released her first single in two years, ‘Love In Real Life’, and since she was sued by her dancers for sexual and racial harassment. The lawsuit, filed in August 2023, became a major discussion point in the entertainment industry.
The single is accompanied by a short spoken word piece titled ‘Everything Was So Much Simpler’, in which she says: “Everything was so much simpler, and that’s exactly what I need. No views. No likes. Real love… and real life.” This reflective piece suggests a more introspective approach to her new music.
“Stay tuned for more music and surprises soon,” a press release teased. Industry insiders suggest this could include collaborative projects with other major artists in the rock genre.
Alongside the new track, the ‘Juice’ singer announced three “super intimate” gigs at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on March 12, Irving Plaza in New York on March 16, and First Avenue in Minneapolis on March 18. These venues are notably smaller than her previous arena tours, offering fans a rare close-up experience with the star.
“I want to introduce to you guys, the newest piece of content from the new era. I’ve been working on new music for the last two years. I took my time and I did it right. The new era has begun today, right now, with you, my chat,” Lizzo had said, teasing her comeback on a Twitch stream. The platform has become increasingly popular among musicians looking to connect directly with their fanbase.
Addressing the shocking allegations in detail for the first time during an in-depth interview, Lizzo said on the ‘Baby, This is Keke Palmer’ podcast in December: “2023 was an amazing year for me. This podcast appearance marked her first extensive public comments about the controversy.
“It was a career-high – like, we had the Record of the Year at the Grammys for ‘About Damn Time‘. This Grammy win represented her fourth career Grammy Award, cementing her status in the music industry.
“I was on my first arena tour and I got to bring the wonderful ‘Big Grrrl’ dancers from ‘Watch Out for the Big Grrls’ on stage with me every night. Like, I was literally living in my dream. Her ‘Special Tour’ grossed over $30 million, according to industry reports.
“Then the tour ended, and three ex-dancers just completely, like, blindsided me with a lawsuit.” The legal filing came just as Lizzo was preparing to begin work on her new musical direction.
The three backup dancers who sued Lizzo were Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez. The dancers had previously appeared on Lizzo’s Emmy-winning reality competition show “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.”
They filed a lawsuit against the ‘Good as Hell’ singer and her Big Grrrl Big Touring company. The lawsuit contained allegations of workplace harassment and creating a hostile environment.
She dismissed most of the allegations as “silly” and “ridiculous”, adding: “But let’s be clear, I did nothing wrong. So I have no regrets, but I do have now this learned experience that is preparing me for the boss that I’m becoming.” Legal experts have noted that the case remains ongoing in Los Angeles courts.
Lizzo has denied all the allegations levied against her despite more accusers coming forward. Her legal team has filed motions to dismiss several aspects of the case.
In the same interview, the 36-year-old star confirmed she had finished a new album. Music critics who have heard previews describe it as a bold departure from her previous work, incorporating elements of classic rock and alternative sounds.
Lizzo released the song ‘Pink’ for the ‘Barbie’ film in 2023, while her last studio album was 2022’s ‘Special’. Her contribution to the Barbie soundtrack reached over 50 million streams across platforms.
The upcoming intimate tour dates are expected to sell out within minutes, according to concert industry analysts, with fans eager to witness Lizzo’s new rock direction in person. These venues have historical significance in rock music, particularly First Avenue in Minneapolis, which was famously featured in Prince’s “Purple Rain.”
Music industry observers have noted that Lizzo’s pivot to rock represents a growing trend of genre-crossing in contemporary music, as artists increasingly defy traditional categorization. Her new sound has already garnered positive reactions from rock critics who have praised her vocal power and authenticity in the genre.
