Lizzo is positioning herself as a voice for ALL artists struggling with algorithmic promotion, not just someone crying about her own numbers. She's framing this as an industry-wide crisis that affects how listeners discover music.
Industry insiders know she's got a point, but some are side-eyeing the timing — she's also in the middle of that messy lawsuit from former backup dancers. Could be convenient optics while she waits for the legal drama to play out.
Lizzo posted her algorithm rant on TikTok on May 12, 2026. Her album 'Bitch' drops June 5, 2026 — preceded by singles 'Don't Make Me Love U' and title track 'Bitch.' She also has a private page with over 280,000 followers she claims she's not reaching.
Lizzo's rant is genuinely valid for independent artists and mid-tier acts who can't afford massive traditional marketing campaigns. Whether it helps her own numbers or just makes her look like an artist who cares about the craft remains to be seen.
Lizzo is going OFF on social media algorithms, and honestly? She's speaking facts that a lot of artists are too scared to say out loud. In a TikTok video posted Tuesday (May 12), the Grammy-winning singer got real about how algorithm-based feeds are making it nearly impossible for artists to successfully promote their music.
"The algorithm-based way that social media functions now is destroying the music industry," Lizzo told her followers. "If your algorithm is super serving you things out of order of when they're happening, then the general public has no idea when music is actually coming out." She didn't hold back either — pre-empting the inevitable comments from people ready to flame her with "she's just mad because she's flopping." Lizzo made it clear she's speaking on behalf of ALL artists here, not just herself.
And she noted that industry folks have actually thanked her for calling this stuff out before in real life conversations. The 'Truth Hurts' hitmaker broke down how different things were even just five years ago when chronological feeds meant you could actually time your releases and promo drops correctly. "Back in the day, which was maybe even just five years ago, we used to get things [on our feeds] chronologically," she explained.
"Music marketing relies heavily on social media, but now, ever since the algorithm has been showing us things out of order, there's actually no way to successfully promote an album where everyone knows your album is coming." She even admitted that she's personally missed releases from artists she was looking forward to because of this chaos — so it's clearly hitting her wallet and her listening habits alike. In the caption, Lizzo added another layer: "Don't get me started on how the algorithm is racist & fat phobic." This rant comes at a critical moment for Lizzo's career as she gears up for her upcoming album 'Bitch,' dropping June 5.
The project has already been preceded by singles "Don't Make Me Love U" and its title track, and it'll follow 2022's 'Special' which snagged the No. 2 spot on the Billboard 200. She's been keeping busy with promo appearances too — most notably killing it at Kevin Hart's roast where she played her iconic flute and landed some solid jokes at the comedian's expense. She also sat down with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, where she addressed her ongoing legal battle with former backup dancers who are suing her for sexual harassment and toxic workplace conditions. Lizzo has vehemently denied all allegations and told King she's not settling because "the truth will come out."
