Lizzo

Melissa Viviane Jefferson, born April 27, 1988, in Detroit, Michigan, studied classical flute at the University of Houston and spent years performing in indie and funk bands across Minneapolis before her independent breakthrough with "Lizzobangers" (2013) and "Big GRRRL Small World" (2015). Her major-label debut "Cuz I Love You" (2019) debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, and "Truth Hurts" spent seven consecutive weeks at number one on the Hot 100—the longest run at number one by a solo female rapper in chart history at the time. At the 2020 Grammy Awards, she swept R&B categories, winning Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Traditional R&B Performance, and Best Urban Contemporary Album. She is celebrated for performing flute while simultaneously rapping—a genuinely unique spectacle in mainstream pop—incorporating her classical training into live performances. Her body-positive messaging, Black joy advocacy, and LGBTQ+ allyship have made her one of the most culturally significant artists of her era. "Special" (2022) produced the global hit "About Damn Time." Lizzo has over 25 million monthly Spotify listeners.