Fans demand Lizzo to “remove” Grrrls track following usage of the ableist slur
4 min read
Photo by Steve Jennings/WireImage
Lizzo, a three-time Grammy winner, has been chastised for using an ableist slur in her new song, Grrrls. Fans were outraged when the song was released recently. Since then, netizens have asked that the pop singer modify the lyrics.
Lizzo has become one of the most well-known performers in recent years as a result of her TikTok success. Her number-one single About Damn Time drew the attention of the internet. Many dance choreographies for her songs have arisen online since then.
Lizzo’s latest song, Grrrls, was supposed to be a fan favorite. It has, however, attracted unfavorable notice. “Hold my bag, bh (girls)/ Hold my bag/ Do you see this st?” the singer sings in the first stanza of her new song. “I’m a sp**z/ I’m about to knock out someone (girls)”
The use of the term “sp*z” in the lyrics was criticized by internet users. Many people found it difficult to comprehend that one of the world’s most famous singers could miss a slur in her song. Her label, management, and publishers were all condemned by internet users.
What was it about Lizzo’s lyrics that made them so offensive?
The Beastie Boys’ Girls was sampled in the Grrrls’ song. The tumultuous Licensed To III song has been transformed into a fiery lady power hymn. Despite the fact that the song was designed to be inspirational, it sparked an important internet discussion regarding ableism.
Lizzo’s usage of the epithet “spzz” angered fans. The term “spzz” is a derogatory term for those who have neurological problems.
Spastic is a medical term for muscle spasms that are caused by high muscle tones. High muscle tone is a disorder that affects persons with impairments who have a lot of stiffness in their bodies. This is referred to as spasticity by medical specialists. Cerebral palsy patients frequently experience this.
Over 77 percent of people with cerebral palsy have spastic muscles, according to The Mighty. People’s muscles contract as a result of this. It can also cause muscle twitching and impaired movement.
Lizzo’s Grrrls track has gotten a lot of attention on the internet
Netizens are now calling for the song to be removed off the internet and re-released sans the ableist insult. Netizens attacked the musician in a few tweets.
“Ugh the normally great @lizzo has supposedly used a disability slur in her new song,” according to one user. It’s heartbreaking to see someone who is so body-positive refuse to include disabled people. I sincerely hope she accepts the education, apologizes, and deletes the word. The year is 2022.
I’ve noticed a few comments on the internet about “canceling Lizzo,” but that’s not what we want – we want to educate her and change the phrase.
Added another, @lizzo, hello! because of my handicap Your new song makes me angry and sad since Cerebral Palsy is officially known as Spastic Diplegia (where spasticity refers to the constant excruciating stiffness in my legs). The word’spaz’ does not signify ‘crazy’ or ‘freaked out.’ It’s a derogatory term for people who are able-bodied. It’s the year 2022, and we’ve arrived at a turning point in Make a change.
Ugh the normally brilliant @lizzo has apparently used a disability slur in her new song. It’s gutting to see someone who is so body positive deciding not to include disabled bodies in that. Really hope she takes the education on board, apologies, and removes the word. It’s 2022.
— Frances Ryan (@DrFrancesRyan) June 11, 2022
Lizzo has remained silent in the face of the backlash she has received. Every hour, almost 5,000 tweets on the same topic are sent out.
This isn’t the first time the song by the Michigan native has made the news. A long-running lawsuit involving her song Truth Hurts was recently dismissed by a federal judge. The singer has been accused of plagiarising the “melody, lyrics, and chords” from a demo track called Healthy. “I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100 percent that b**ch,” she famously said, was allegedly stolen from another artist.
i just can’t believe that not even 10 seconds into Lizzo’s new song there’s a whole extremely harmful ableist slur said *with her whole chest*
— daneka 🪐 (@danekaetchells) June 11, 2022
that song will have been through 100s of people before being released and not ONE has picked this up and removed it??
i just can’t
The charges were flatly denied by the musician. In March, the singer and the song’s composers, Jeremiah Raisen and Justin Rothman, reached a similar agreement.
I’ve noticed a few comments on the internet about “cancelling Lizzo,” but that’s not what we want – we want to educate her and change the phrase.
Maaaan I’m so tired of ableist slurs being thrown around like they’re nothing
— Mollie Evans (@littlemotac_) June 11, 2022
Lizzo, someone who I have loved for years, uploaded a TT with an ableist slur and it has over half a million likes
I’m disappointed in @lizzo for using the word “sp@z” in her new song “Grrrls”. There’s no excuse for using an ableist insult in a song in 2022. As someone who champions women, plus size people and others whom society treats poorly, Lizzo preaches inclusivity and should do better.
— Callum Stephen (He/Him) (@AutisticCallum_) June 11, 2022
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Ankita Khanrah
Ankita Khanrah is a second-year student of the Master of Communication and Journalism (Integrated) programme at the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed University, Bhubaneswar.
