By Monique Giwa-Osagie
Lizzo is breaking barriers in the media today. Through her groundbreaking debut song “Good as Hell,” she communicated the importance of loving yourself above all else.
Lizzo has unapologetically portrayed her body to the media, aware of the backlash it triggers due to the rigid beauty standards society has set. Her courage to defy the standards and the turmoils of her mental health is inspirational to say the least. She chooses herself every day and makes that her top priority. It is easier for humans to attempt tearing another down instead of uplifting, but Lizzo teaches us to fight fire with water, instead of adding more fuel. “Good as Hell” is not only a testament to inspiring all women, no matter the shape or size, but it is a love letter to herself.
Lizzo continued to celebrate herself and brought up relevant conversations on the state of romanticism in society today and how it is impacted by beauty standards. In her hit song “Cuz I Love You,” Lizzo tells the story about a romantic interest that she loves but is ashamed that she loves. The lyrics convey a bittersweet start and end to a love story that is a rollercoaster due to the fear of being hurt. This is something that is very common in today’s society, where the hopeless romanticism rates are on the rise, yet the commitment rates are plummeting.
While this may be the case, Lizzo’s honesty about her feelings creates a safe space for all the fans who connect to this experience and gives them the courage to face these emotions head-on. She acknowledges that while trusting and loving another person may be scary, loving yourself first can make the transition feel less nerve-wracking. That is what Lizzo does through her music; she takes us on her internal journey toward self-love, which manifests as the celebration of fearlessness and dedication to self-preservation.
These two songs are a perfect contrast between fiery confidence and emotional love. As a Black woman, the line between powerful and intimidating is often blurred, but Lizzo helps the two co-exist. She challenges society to think differently and embrace change, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. The cultural rigidity that is embedded within the lyrics helps curate the space for these conversations to exist and flourish. Through Lizzo’s art, she sheds light on to these issues and instills hope into younger generation to be authentically true to themselves.
