Oh, the internet. The power of group think has evidently convinced Lizzo to change a lyric from her latest song “GRRRLS” after she was shamed for using the word “spaz” in one of the verses. As one person wrote, “Hey @lizzo my disability Cerebral Palsy is literally classified as Spastic Diplegia (where spasticity refers to unending painful tightness in my legs) your new song makes me pretty angry + sad. ‘Spaz’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better.”
Another person said, “I’m disappointed @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.”
Lizzo heard their cries and decided to spring into action. On Monday (June 13), Lizzo accepted culpability for offending anyone with a Twitter post that read, “It’s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song ‘GRRRLS.’ Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language. As a fat Black woman in America, I’ve had many hurtful words used against me so I overstand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case unintentionally).
“I’m proud to say there’s a new version of ‘GRRRLS’ with a lyric change. This is the result of me listening and taking action. As an influential artist I’m dedicated to being a part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world. Xoxo, Lizzo.”
Lizzo dropped “GRRRLS” last week, which uses a sample of the 1986 Beastie Boys’ single “Girls” from the trio’s debut Licensed To Ill. Had those offended by “spaz” been more familiar with the song’s origins, they’d probably be more outraged by the lyrics Ad-Rock, MCA and Mike D were spitting at a time when misogyny, offensive language and sexism was basically celebrated. Live shows of that era featured women in cages dancing onstage and a giant hydraulic penis.
“Girls, to do the dishes,” they rapped. “Girls, to clean up my room/Girls, to do the laundry/Girls, and in the bathroom/Girls, that’s all I really want is girls/Two at a time, I want girls/With new wave hairdos, I want girls/I ought to whip out my…”
“Girls” was one of the songs MCA had in mind when he addressed some of Beastie Boys‘ less evolved lyrics later on in his career. On the 1994 song “Sure Shot,” Beastie Boys famously included a verse in which MCA explicitly apologized for the group’s past misogyny. Ad-Rock also wrote a letter to Time Out New York apologizing for the band’s past. In 1998, the Beasties publicly beefed with the Prodigy, asking them not to play the song “Smack My Bitch Up” at a festival where both acts were appearing.
Lizzo Addresses ‘Ugly Dudes With No Bitches’ Who Use Her Name As An Insult
As for “GRRRLS,” Lizzo originally sings, “Hold my bag, bitch, hold my bag/ Do you see this shit? I’m a spaz.” The new version has been updated to: “Hold my bag, bitch, Hold my bag/ Do you see this shit? Hold me back.” Listen to the updated version below before Special arrives on July 15.
C’mon mayne…
Who left the cage door open again. Damn it, Where’s her handler?
She’s so fat that the UN has to beg her to eat Taco Bell constantly just to make sure we don’t have to worry about running out of gas.
She is nothing but disrespectful so why act surprised. It won’t be the last time this happens either.
I wonder if you keep this same energy anybody else refer to women as bitches. I bet you dont. Goof.
I do actually. This fat bitch needs lipo. If you act like one then you will be called one and trust me, this heifer has it coming. What are you, a chubby chaser. Your game that weak that all you can get is the super big sloppy fat girls? I Feel bad for you then.
Lol, all this cause she said spaz?
Sensitive spastics
n.e.r.d. has a song spazz get pharrel williams to apologise.
Does your mom have to apologize for giving birth to you?
Lizzo gets no dick. Confirmed.
Lizzo is a fat spaz.
Whatever you say about Lizzo, don’t care, she’s doing better than you ! HATER!!!
She’s so fat that she has to lay down and roll sideways to fit through double doors.
You are no better than anyone else, that intentionally tries to make a person feel bad. If you don’t have a kind word to say to lift a person up,then SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!!! You have your issues as well!!
Wow people are way too sensitive now. You know what she meant when she used that word. She’s not trying to talk down on people with cerebral palsy…
stick n stones hey china or any country come on down it would take a few days to overthrow us, its now a nation of sissies
Okay. Head on over to China and say a word you’re not supposed to use there, and see what will happen to you. You can just leave America, you know. No one will miss you, and you won’t be taken back whenever you don’t like it here.
sorry it doesnt work like that u cant just move to another country, least china hones about there stalking n spying us does the same thing taps all phones n comms then pretends they dont or has corporations do it for them. btw china 1.7M prisoners usa 2.2M are state property and china has 3 times our population try again winner
shouldda changed the rest of the lyrics too – they’re also questionable at best. “Hold my bag, bitch, Hold my bag/ Do you see this shit?”.
Groundbreaking work Lizzo. (yes I saw a fat joke there with breaking the ground but let it be)
Another word you can’t use. Hahaha the US is so soft.
How’s this fat broad going to ruin beastie boys like that what a disgrace
But uses other vulgar words….
I GO RUH RUH LIKE I HAD CEREBRAL PALSY
As a woman, I’d like to file my complaint about female rappers referring to women as “bitches“. That’s offensive to a whole lot more people than the word “spaz”. I love me some Lizzo, but I’m not sure you can claim to be building women up while simultaneously calling them names. All of the black rap artists do it. If “bitch“ is such a term of endearment, why don’t you call your mother and aunties that?
That’s for changing the word “spaz”, I had no idea we were using this word again. But it’s cool of you to change it, I guess. I’m still looking for something to replace the word “retarded“, which became forbidden over a decade ago. How did we ever make it through four years of Trump without that word? We needed it so badly. “Stupid” just doesn’t cover that level of idiocy.
*As for
(not “That’s for…”)
Thanks for not allowing us to edit or delete. Bye, bitch!