A vocal powerhouse known for her radical self-love anthems and genre-breaking sound, Lizzo (birth name Melissa Jefferson) is an artist who skillfully blends Houston bounce, Minneapolis funk, and her early Detroit roots with a classical backing.

A product of Detroit’s west side, Lizzo began her career in a city renowned for producing musical greats, a place where church and rhythm were equally valued.

Her family relocated to Houston when she was nine years old, but it was in Detroit where she first developed her eclectic taste, developing an early love of gospel, soul, and Motown that would eventually become an integral part of her sound, live performances, and overall musical DNA.

Gone or not, Detroit never fully left her.

Lizzo is a rare artist who comes around once in a generation, one whose classical foundation is equally as important as her natural pop instincts.

She is a skilled flute player, has performed in marching bands, and was studying classical composers and mastering breath control long before the world witnessed her twerking and playing the flute simultaneously.

Lizzo’s evolution as an artist, however, was not just one based on technical skill.

It was a matter of survival.

Very few people are aware that she lived in a car before becoming famous, facing continuous rejection and invisibility despite her talents.

In fact, she was on the verge of quitting music entirely, and it was only her Detroit upbringing and the resilience it instilled in her from a young age that prevented her from doing so.

Through her steadfast faith in herself that when the world does not provide opportunities, one should create their own path, she finally pulled herself out of the trenches – first in Minneapolis’s indie hip-hop collectives, then in her breakout solo work that fused soul, rap, funk, gospel, and self-empowerment to create something entirely new.

Lizzo first entered the world’s consciousness in 2013 through her debut album “Lizzobangers,” a raw, political, witty album full of punchlines and soul.

However, it was 2019’s “Cuz I Love You” that catapulted her to the top, with chart-topping hits like “Juice,” “Truth Hurts,” and “Good as Hell” entirely redefining pop.

These hits not only radiated joy but also stemmed from a place of deep pain and recovery.

Lizzo did not merely break into the pop scene.
She shook it up.

Here was a plus-sized Black woman with a flute and a message about self-worth.

She was not the industry’s conventional mold, yet she was also not trying to fit in.

Instead, Lizzo became known for her iconic performances.

For many, they felt more like public testimonies:

Perfect choreography, intense vocal belts, flute solos, and motivational sermons wedged between beats.

Drawing from her Motown roots, she channeled Aretha’s authority, Diana Ross’s unpredictability, Aaliyah and Missy’s creativity, all with a modern sheen reminiscent of the TikTok era.

Although Lizzo does not frequently highlight her connection to Detroit in her career, that does not mean she lacks a deep bond with the city.

It is in her blood.

Whenever she performs in Detroit on tour, her performances are imbued with pure hometown hero energy and act like homecomings.
She is a reminder that greatness grows in unexpected corners, and that the 313 does not just produce stars – it polishes them.

In short, Lizzo is not just a pop star.

She is Detroit-born thunder…loud, luminous, and built to last.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: September 17, 2025