Lizzo to release new version of ‘Grrrls’ following backlash over ableist lyric

Lizzo, an award-winning singer-songwriter, has recently been trending on social media following backlash from fans for an offensive word in her new song, “Grrrls.”

Some disability advocates criticized Grrrls because of the term used in the song. “Hold my bag, bitch, hold my bag / Do you see this shit? I’m a sp@z.”

“Spaz” is a slang term for going insane or freaking out. It comes from the word spastic, which refers to those who have spasms, which are most commonly connected with cerebral palsy.

Fans and disability groups expressed dissatisfaction with Lizzo and the song’s lyrics, saying that it was ableist.

https://twitter.com/EllaEllaaW/status/1535724214354944001?s=20&t=3YhVTpvsnWUr6EaQFiQYHA

Due to the backlash from fans, Lizzo clarified in a tweet that it was never her intention to promote the derogatory language. In the same tweet, she also announced that she will be releasing an updated version of the song. She is delighted to say, as an influential musician, that the song will be slightly altered, and the ableist phrase will be changed.

The original lyric of the song was changed from “Do you see this shit? I’m a spaz” to “Do you see this shit? Hold me back.”

Following the release of her lead single, “About Damn Time,” in April, “Grrrls” is the second track of her upcoming fourth album, “Special.” The album will be released to the public on July 15, and it will be her first album since her box office hit “Cuz I Love You” in 2019. 

 

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