Lizzo has slammed social media algorithms for “destroying the music industry”.
The 38-year-old singer-and-rapper said the way different platforms function is causing problems when it comes to promoting her third studio album, B****, which drops on June 5, because not all of her fans are receiving updates.
Lizzo – real name Melissa Jefferson – spoke out on the matter on behalf of other artists in a TikTok video on Tuesday (12.05.26), and said: “I have an album coming out in 23 days, and I bet you nobody even knows that.”
The About Damn Time hitmaker got hate from trolls, who commented that “Oh, she’s just mad that she’s floppin,” the last time she made a similar message, but Lizzo insisted that people in the industry thanked her for addressing the situation, as “everybody else is too scared to say it”.
The four-time Grammy winner continued: “The algorithm-based way that social media functions now is destroying the music industry.
“Now, when I say the music industry, I don’t mean music culture, I don’t mean the good music that’s out, I don’t mean our ability to connect via social media to music.
“I’m talking about the actual industry that allows artists to sell their music for profit.
“Because, if your algorithm is super serving you things out of order of when they’re happening, then the general public has no idea when music is actually coming out.”
Lizzo added that algorithms caused her to miss out on some artists’ releases that she was “looking forward to” as the star “didn’t realise it was out”.
She stressed: “And I don’t wanna blame everything on the algorithm. Of course, we curate our own reality.”
The Truth Hurts performer continued: “However, back in the day, which was maybe even just five years ago, we used to get things [on our feeds] chronologically.
“Because of streaming and social media, and our post-COVID, chronically online society, most of music marketing is online. Therefore, music marketing relies heavily on social media.
“But now, ever since the algorithm has been showing us things out of order, baby, there’s actually no way to successfully promote an album where everyone knows your album is coming.
“Now, mind you, when I say, ‘Everyone knows your album is coming,’ that doesn’t mean whether they care or not, that it’s coming.
“Believe it or not, once upon a time, there were artists who were just the biggest on the planet, who everyone knew their album was coming, whether they were going to buy it or not. It was ubiquitous.”
Lizzo claimed “280,000 people” on her “private page” are missing out on music and tour updates because the content is “not hitting their algorithm”, which has caused the star to be “accused of not promoting my album”.
The Rumours artist added: “I’m doing morning shows, podcasts, Netflix specials, dropping the packaging, dropping the cover, doing my part.”
Lizzo noted: “And it’s not just me because virality does not equal album sales. There are people who are super viral whose albums just don’t sell as much as their fame.
“Their albums don’t match the amount of views they have on their posts.”
Despite the issue, the singer said she will “be OK” because she is a “big girl, very successful woman, I have a loyal fan base”.
Lizzo added: “I’m saying this to bring awareness to where we’re headed. It is deeply concerning, you guys. Fans are not even aware that their favourite artist is releasing music. And they are doing everything they need to do to keep up with their favourite artist. They follow them.
“Something has got to give about this. But you know what? What do I know? I’m just a girl. My album, B**** is coming June 5. And if you didn’t know, now you know.”
The Yitty shapewear line founder captioned the video: “Don’t get me started on how the algorithm is racist + fat phobic.”