‘Good as Hell’ hitmaker Lizzo found herself catching hell after music lovers got a whiff of her new song ‘Grrrls’ released last Friday (June 10).
The tune, which serves as the follow-up to her current Hot 100 top 5 hit ‘About Damn Time,’ has been the center of controversy for many people with disabilities (and their supporters) for containing the word ‘spaz’ – a phrase considered to be an ‘ableist slur’ that derives from the word ‘spastic’ and describes someone who has difficulty controlling their muscles (a la like those coping with the effects of cerebral palsy).
When Liz (born Melissa Jefferson) got wind of the commentary, she took to Instagram Monday (June 13) to weigh in.
Look inside to see what she said.
View this post on Instagram
“It’s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song “GRRRLS”. Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language,” the three-time Grammy winner wrote in the post. “As a fat black woman in America, I’ve had many hateful words used against me so I understand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case unintentionally). I’m proud to say there’s a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change.”
Hear ‘Grrrls’ below.
The hoopla comes ahead the long-awaited arrival of the singer-songwriter’s major label sophomore album, ‘Special’ (which will hit digital shelves on July 15).
Your thoughts?
“As a fat black woman in America, I’ve had many hateful words used against me”
She just had to make it about herself… Attention-seeming narcissistic b****.
She knew exactly what she was doing from A to Z. “They’d do anything for clout”
“As an influential artist” Lol
Building songs around Twitter catchphrases makes you a follower! Incoming case of Meghan Trainor’s sophomore album slump? Hmm 🤔 . . . not if “sassy” slogan fans buy into Lizzo’s half-believable self-reassuring lyrics. Cute Cardi duet, though.
Black women are always Overweighted, oversensitive, overrated, overreacted…. Indeed 💅🏾
@marilyn monh-O-E ® 👠(#1 DIVA) I love how you tell it how it is, but you forget to mention that they all stink of wet dog.
Yes fancy 💯 I agree. They are the main reason that we are paying heavy taxes 💅🏾
This is beyond a reach.
Everybody says “spaz out” to mean “get angry or go off”. I’d have ignored these frivolous outrage claims.
Times change.