Lizzo and SZA have new music in the works. The collaboration comes as both artists continue to dominate the music charts, showcasing their artistic chemistry that fans have been eagerly anticipating.
The pals – who previously teamed up on a remix of Lizzo’s song Special in 2023 – have been teasing clips from the studio working on something for Lizzo’s upcoming “mixtape”. Their previous collaboration demonstrated the natural musical synergy between the two powerhouse vocalists.
“Working on a guest star for bookie Lizzo’s new mixtape [heart emoji],” SZA captioned one post on her Instagram Story. The social media tease has already generated significant excitement among fans who are eager to hear what the duo has created together.
“Me and Lizzo, we’ve been friends since, like, 2013, but it was very organic and very random. One day we were on the same tour, and I was like, ‘We’re about to drive out to Lake Michigan, do you want to come?’ And she was like, ‘Yeah, let’s go.’ And then we just got drunk and hung out, and we kept doing that, and then our lives and careers progressed, and we kept talking and hanging out,” SZA said of their friendship in a 2023 interview with UPROXX. “The other day, I went over to her house. My tummy was hurting because I ate too much, and she gave me a muumuu, and we just laid in the yard and did nothing, and I was like, ‘Yeah, this is what the f*** friendship is about.'” Their genuine connection extends far beyond professional collaborations, creating a foundation for authentic musical partnerships.
In March, Lizzo confirmed she had completed work on her new album Love in Real Life. The album represents her latest creative endeavor following the success of her previous releases.
“ALBUM IS DONE YALL! ASTROLOGY EXPERTS Do my mercury got micro braids? Cus I got an emergency root canal, announced SNL finished my album all in one day today (sic),” the delighted star took to Instagram to tell fans about her productive day, after she “finished” her forthcoming fifth studio album. Industry insiders have noted her impressive work ethic and dedication to her craft.
Meanwhile, Lizzo recently expressed her fury over criticism of her new music – insisting negative reviews of her song Still Bad, which was her first single from Love in Real Life, are “lazy”. The artist has consistently faced scrutiny throughout her career while maintaining her artistic vision.
“Saying my brand of ‘poptimism’ doesn’t work in a ‘post Covid world’ is a lazy take … As if I didn’t release ‘about damn time’ post pandemic …” Lizzo wrote on X. “As if I didn’t write [her song] ‘About Damn Time’ to be a post lockdown anthem to inspire us to get outside and together again. And was successful at it btw …” Her music has consistently provided uplifting messages during challenging times.
“Same people saying my music is ‘too optimistic’ would’ve been real mad in the 60s at James Brown and Motown … Still Bad is a break-up song with the world. It literally starts with me saying: ‘I’m bouta throw my phone away’ it’s a call to action for the negativity we experience on our phones and how we need to disengage and recenter. The girls that get it, get it …” Music critics have noted the deeper themes within her seemingly upbeat compositions.
“In the music video I’m literally taking my power back from the ‘birds’ (tweets) that tried to keep me down with negativity … I think seeing and hearing a black woman make real music with radical joy triggers miserable people … but I follow in the footsteps of Janet [Jackson], of Funkadelic, of Earth Wind and Fire … nobody’s doing it like me for Us. And I stand on that.” Her artistic philosophy draws inspiration from legendary performers who paved the way.
“Imagine listening to ‘say it loud I’m black and I’m proud’ and saying it’s too optimistic … Imagine listening to [OutKast song] ‘Hey Yah’ and saying it’s too poppy… what Andre [Andre 3000] say? Yall don’t wanna listen ya just wanna hate …” She went on. “Aretha [Franklin] and Whitney [Houston] got backlash for being ‘too pop’ and they kept going… and so will I … I’m out here reclaiming rock n roll for US … (sic)” Her commitment to artistic authenticity remains unwavering despite external pressures.
