Melissa Viviane Jefferson aka Lizzo, is an American singer, songwriter and rapper. She is a founding member of indie hip hop groups The Chalice, Grrrl Prty, The Clerb, Ellypseas, and Absynthe. Her debut album, Lizzobangers, was released in 2013. She released her second album, Big Grrrl Small World, in 2015.

After the release of Big Grrrl Small World, she worked with Ricky Reed, who helped her to improve her voice and later signed her to Atlantic Records. Soon afterward, she released the 2016 major-label EP Coconut Oil. On April 19, 2019, she released Cuz I Love You, her third studio album.

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Lizzobangers, Lizzo's debut album produced by Lazerbeak and Ryan Olson, was released on October 15, 2013 to regional and national success. The album focuses on hip-hop. Lizzo toured the US and UK in the fall of 2013 opening for Har Mar Superstar, and additionally sang with his band. In October 2013, Lizzo won City Pages' "Picked to Click" award for best new Twin Cities artist. The following month Time named her one of 14 music artists to watch in 2014.

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Big Grrrl Small World was released on December 11, 2015. Lizzo's first major-label EP, Coconut Oil, was released on October 7, 2016.

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Lizzo appeared as a guest judge on the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

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In 2018, Lizzo toured both with Haim and Florence and the Machine and is beginning her own personal tour for Cuz I Love You in 2019.

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Lizzo grew up in Houston, Texas, and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2011. She began her career in rapping while living in Texas. Lizzo started rapping as a teenager in the Southwest Alief part of Houston, Texas, which is known as “the SWAT". Aged 14, she formed a group called Cornrow Clique with her best friends. In Minneapolis, she performed with indie groups including the electro soul-pop duo, Lizzo & the Larva Ink. During this time she helped form three-piece all-female rap/R&B group, The Chalice. In 2012, The Chalice released their first album, We Are the Chalice, which was locally successful.

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After struggling with body issues at an early age, Lizzo became an advocate for body positivity and self-love, while creating diversity the focus of her music, in regards to one's body (in "Fitness" and "Juice"), sexuality ("Boys"), race ("My Skin") and more. Her group of back-up dancers, the Big Grrrls, consists of all plus-size dancers. Highlighting body inclusivity and celebrating individuality, Lizzo appeared in ModCloth's "Say It Louder" campaign. It launched on June 11, 2018. In the same month, she sported the first plus-size outfit made for FIT's Future of Fashion runway show by Grace Insogna at an LGBTQ event at Pride Island.  Source.