Lizzo is shutting down claims that her career is in decline after some online critics suggested she has entered her “flop era.”
Speaking on the debut episode of the Proto Pop podcast with host Zachary Hourihane, Lizzo addressed the viral “Khia Asylum” meme which is a term often used online to describe artists whose recent releases haven’t matched the success of their earlier work.
The conversation gained momentum following the release of Lizzo’s latest album “Bitch“, which didn’t achieve the same commercial success as her previous album, “Special“. However, Lizzo made it clear that she doesn’t believe the label applies to her.
“I feel like I can’t be in the Khia Asylum,” she said. “I have Grammys and world records in music. I have number ones. I have a diamond record. I am a successful artist.”
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During the interview, Lizzo and Zachary also discussed how the meme is often used to tear down female artists, particularly black women. They argued that women in pop music are judged far more harshly when a project underperforms, while male artists rarely face the same level of criticism. Lizzo also pointed out that using rapper Khia’s name as a synonym for failure is unfair, saying the veteran artist remains an important figure in the history of Black rap music.
Despite defending her career, Lizzo admitted that the response to her new music was emotionally difficult. She revealed that she spent years working on the album, writing more than 120 songs, and said the disappointing commercial reception initially left her feeling sad and stressed. She also explained that she had to come to terms with the fact that both the music industry and her relationship with audiences have changed significantly over the past few years.
Still, Lizzo says she’s choosing to focus on what matters most which is to make music that she believes in. Rather than letting online criticism define her career, the singer said she’s committed to trusting her artistry, staying creative, and continuing to make music for the people who connect with it.
