Big Grrrl Small World Explained

Big Grrrl Small World
Type:studio
Artist:Lizzo
Cover:Lizzo - Big Grrrl Small World.png
Recorded:2013–2015
Genre:Hip hop
Label:BGSW
Prev Title:Lizzobangers
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Coconut Oil
Next Year:2016

Big Grrrl Small World (sometimes stylized as Big GRRRL Small World)[1] [2] is the second studio album by American rapper and singer Lizzo.[3] It was released on her own record label BGSW[4] on December 11, 2015. The album received "generally favorable reviews" from critics.

Production

As soon as her debut studio album Lizzobangers was released in 2013, Lizzo started writing new songs. She made at least 25 demos that didn't end up on Big Grrrl Small World.[5] The oldest song on the album is "The Fade".[6]

In 2014, Lizzo participated in StyleLikeU's What's Underneath project, where she removed her clothes as she talked about her relationships with her body. Inspired by the experience, she wrote "My Skin", which she described as "the thesis statement of the album".[6] In a 2015 interview with Vice, she said: "You can wake up and change many things about your appearance, but the inevitability of waking up in your skin is what unifies us."[7]

The recording of the album took place at Justin Vernon's April Base Studios in Fall Creek, Wisconsin.[8]

Release

The album was released on BGSW on December 11, 2015. In 2019, the album was removed from all streaming services and digital retailers, to aid in Lizzo's campaign for Best New Artist at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.[9]

Music videos

Music videos were created for "My Skin"[10] and "Humanize".[11] Paste placed the video for "My Skin" at number 8 on the "25 Best Music Videos of 2015" list.[12]

Critical reception

At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 79, based on 10 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Alexis Petridis of The Guardian gave the album four stars out of five, saying, "the album's tracks display a marked tendency to end up in an entirely different place from where they started, helped by the fact that Lizzo is as strong a vocalist as she is a rapper."

Hilary Saunders of Paste gave the album an 8.2 out of 10, praising Lizzo's "ability to rap and sing with equal tenacity."

Andrea Swensson of The Current wrote: "There's an old feminist adage that says that the personal is political, and Lizzo seems to understand this concept intrinsically."[13]

Top ten lists

Star Tribune placed the album at number 3 on the "Twin Cities Critics Tally 2015" list.[14] Spin placed it at number 17 on the "50 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2015" list.[15]

Track listing

All tracks written by Melissa "Lizzo" Jefferson.

Personnel

Credits adapted from the 2015 CD edition's liner notes.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lizzo Announces Big GRRRL Small World Featuring Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, Shares "Humanize". Pitchfork. Evan. Minsker. October 13, 2015. February 8, 2020.
  2. Web site: Lizzo streams new record Big GRRRL Small World in full ahead of its release. The Line of Best Fit. Laurence. Day. December 9, 2015. February 8, 2020.
  3. Web site: Twin Cities rap phenom Lizzo drops new single, album deets. City Pages. Jay. Boller. October 13, 2015. December 16, 2015.
  4. Web site: Lizzo announces second record Big GRRRL Small World, shares lead cut "Humanize". The Line of Best Fit. Laurence. Day. October 13, 2015. February 8, 2020.
  5. Web site: Lizzo: 'This time I tried to be more benevolent than belligerent'. The Observer. Killian. Fox. January 10, 2016. March 21, 2019.
  6. Web site: Lizzo Goes Glam And Gets Real In Our Fashion Editorial And Interview. Bust. Maggie. Carr. February 24, 2016. March 21, 2019.
  7. Web site: "My Blackness Is My Largest Assumed 'Accessory'": Lizzo Breaks Down Her Video for "My Skin". Vice. Kim Taylor. Bennett. December 1, 2015. March 21, 2019.
  8. Web site: Lizzo: "I'm not this crazy, axe-wielding girl any more". DIY. Joe. Goggins. December 9, 2015. December 19, 2015.
  9. Web site: Lizzo's 2-year-old song might still qualify at 2020 Grammys. AP News. Associated Press. Mesfin. Fekadu. August 14, 2019. October 11, 2019.
  10. Web site: Lizzo to play Colbert's show Thursday after revealing her 'My Skin' video. Star Tribune. Chris. Riemenschneider. December 7, 2015. March 20, 2019.
  11. Web site: A 10-Song Introduction to the Infectious Power of Lizzo (page 9 of 10). PopSugar. Quinn. Keaney. February 19, 2019. March 20, 2019.
  12. Web site: The 25 Best Music Videos of 2015. Paste. Hilary. Saunders. December 16, 2015. February 8, 2020.
  13. Web site: Album of the Week: Lizzo, 'Big GRRRL Small World'. The Current. Andrea. Swensson. December 14, 2015. December 16, 2015.
  14. Web site: Twin Cities Critics Tally 2015: Low's 'Ones and Sixes' is No. 1 album. Star Tribune. Chris. Riemenschneider. December 31, 2015. March 20, 2019.
  15. Web site: The 50 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2015 (page 2 of 2). Spin. December 16, 2015. December 19, 2015.

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