The singer took to Instagram to reveal that she changed the lyric in the song after some were calling it an 'ableist slur.'
Lizzo is changing a line in her new song, "GRRRLS," after facing backlash for a lyric that some listeners called an "ableist slur." Fans took to social media following the release of the track to call out the singer for her use of the word "spaz" in the song's opening verse, calling it a derogatory term.
"Hold my bag, b***h/ Hold my bag/ Do you see this s**t?/ I’m a spaz/ I’m about to knock somebody out/ Yo, where my best friend?/ She the only one I know to talk me off the deep end," Lizzo sings.
"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," a disappointed listener tweeted.
While another wrote, "Hey @lizzo please remove the word 'spaz' from your new song because it’s a slur and really offensive to the disabled community,” one wrote, signing off, "From a disappointed fan."
Lizzo responded in a post shared to Instagram Monday, nothing that she not only changed the lyric, but that she "never" wants to promote derogatory language in her music.
"It's been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my 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 hurtful words used against me so I understand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally.)" the "Good as Hell" singer stated before revealing that a new version of "GRRRLS" has been released.
She continued, "I'm proud to say there's a new version of 'GRRRLS' with a lyric change. This is a 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 first unveiled her new single, "Grrrls" on Friday, June 10.
For more on the singer, check out the video below.
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