After the announcement that Lizzo has joined Rock the Garden 2014, she told The Current that she felt like a “gift-wrapped package with glitter coming out of the top.” Originally from Detroit and raised in Houston, Lizzo and her music have been giving steadily to the Twin Cities over the last few years, and the Twin Cities have been giving right back. She told DazedDigital.com, “Coming to Minneapolis I felt the most comfortable I have ever been . . . We all want to create art. I’m not saying it’s higher or lower, or better or worse. It’s just everyone can see eye to eye there.” Much of this local love for Lizzo came from her 2013 release of Lizzobangers, an album she made with Lazerbeak (Doomtree) and Ryan Olson (Gayngs, Marijuana Deathsquads). Her brazen verses are equally comical and combative, harkening back to some of the industry’s first female MCs, and her sound encompasses an array of influences. She told The 405 that “Beyoncé is a constant inspiration,” and that her dream collaboration would be with Bach. Lizzo’s videos are similarly wide-ranging: “Batches & Cookies” celebrates marriage equality and baked goods, while her new “Faded” video features cameos from Har Mar Superstar, Caroline Smith, and Macaulay Culkin.
Lizzo provides us with the third edition of Rock the Garden 8-Ball (following Dessa and Jeremy Messersmith) as she ponders her past life, career options, and other not-so-pressing questions.
What’s your best kept Twin Cities secret you don’t mind sharing?
Vicki at Paula’s Nails in Uptown. She’s an amazing nail artist.
What are three of your tour necessities?
Shower, panties, FaceTime.
If you had to pick another career, what would it be and why?
I’ve always wanted to be a novelist, I loved writing epic fantasies when I was 6.
Do you have a favorite park/green space in the Twin Cities?
Theodore Wirth Park! Now I’m super close to it so I love walking around the quaking bog.
Write a haiku about your current location.
Soft billowing cloud
White noise rolling steadily
My bed (is the shit).
What is your favorite sound?
French horn fanfare.
Do you think you were anyone specific in a past life?
A male diplomat.
What’s the last (or favorite) book you read?
Just read Spiral Bound, by Dessa.
Rock the Garden 2014 takes place on Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22. See the full lineup and buy tickets here.
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