Just a quick warning, this episode contains explicit language.

The singer, rapper, dancer, flutist, and actress Lizzo enjoyed a major breakthrough in 2019

when songs like Truth Hearts and Juice became Blockbuster hits.

Now she's back with a new album which has already given us one of the summer's most inescapable songs.

I'm Stephen Thompson and today we are talking about Lizzo's new album Special on Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR.

Joining me today is writer, NPR Music Contributor and co-host of the Bottom of the Map Podcast.

Christina Lee, welcome back, Christina.

Hey, Stephen, good to see you.

It is great to see you.

So, Special is actually Lizzo's fourth album following 2013's Lizzo Bangers, 2015's Big Girl Small World,

and her 2019 breakthrough, Cuz I Love You.

That last album won three Grammys, hit the Billboard Top 5, and cemented Lizzo's place as a major star.

She's gone on to acting gigs and movies like Hustlers, and she's even become a welcome presence on TV.

Her fantastic reality series, Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Girls just got nominated for six Emmys.

Now, it took Lizzo three years to follow Cuz I Love You with a new album.

That's a long time for an artist looking to assert her staying power.

But she's already had phenomenal success this year with About Damn Time.

Lizzo is officially back with Special, which features About Damn Time and 11 other songs about love,

affirmation, friendship, empowerment, and confidence.

So, we're recording this episode Friday afternoon, so we've only spent a few hours with this album, Christina.

Give me your initial thoughts on Special.

Well, I figured either way, this was going to be a super surreal moment,

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