Lizzo’s fifth studio album, B**ch, sold 2,649 copies in its debut week, marking a sharp decline from the 39,000 copies sold by her 2022 album Special. During an interview on the Proto Pop podcast, the singer, real name Melissa Jefferson, described the commercial downturn as “soul-crushing” and noted a shifting connection between artists and the modern music industry.
How do the sales for B**ch compare to previous releases?
The commercial performance of Lizzo’s latest project shows a significant downward trend in physical and digital sales. According to editors at Rolling Stone, the 2,649 copies sold during the first week of B**ch represent a fraction of the success seen with her previous work.
In 2022, Lizzo’s album Special moved approximately 39,000 copies in its opening week. This comparison highlights a substantial gap in consumer engagement between her earlier hits and her most recent release.
Lizzo’s first-week sales for B**ch were roughly 6.8% of the sales recorded for her 2022 album Special.
Why did the album sales impact Lizzo personally?
Lizzo told host Zachary Hourihane on the Proto Pop podcast that the initial response to the album caused significant emotional distress. She admitted to spending 24 hours basing her self-worth on sales numbers.
“It dropped, and I was like, ‘Oh, OK, this isn’t kinda what I thought it would be,'” Jefferson told Hourihane. She explained that she felt the need to “mourn” the changing musical relationship she has with the world.
The singer attributed part of this shift to the evolution of the music industry over the last three years. She noted that the landscape for artists has changed, affecting how music is consumed and how success is measured.
How did SZA help Lizzo reframe her success?
The singer credited fellow artist SZA, born Solána Rowe, with helping her move past the “soul-crushing” feeling of low sales. According to Lizzo, a phone call from Rowe provided the emotional support necessary to shift her focus away from statistics.
Lizzo recounted asking Rowe if she was a “failure” during a moment of distress. Rowe’s reassurance encouraged the singer to stop judging her impact based on commercial data points. Lizzo stated she eventually decided to find pride in the music itself rather than the numbers.
Pro Tip for Creative Professionals
Industry experts often suggest decoupling personal identity from algorithmic or commercial metrics. Focusing on the creative process and direct connection with an audience can help prevent burnout during periods of low commercial engagement.
What are Lizzo’s upcoming professional projects?
Despite the recent album performance, Lizzo is expanding her presence in other media sectors. She is moving into children’s literature and film acting with several confirmed projects.
- Children’s Literature: She is scheduled to release a book titled Lil Lizzo Meets Sasha B. Flootin’ in September.
- Film: Lizzo will portray musician Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the upcoming biopic Rosetta, produced by Amazon MGM Studios.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many copies did Lizzo’s album B**ch sell?
According to Rolling Stone, the album sold 2,649 copies in its first week.
What was the sales figure for Lizzo’s album Special?
Lizzo’s 2022 album Special sold approximately 39,000 copies in its first week.
What role is Lizzo playing in the movie Rosetta?
Lizzo is set to play the legendary musician Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the Amazon MGM Studios biopic.
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