Lizzo Dropped the Visuals for Her Single "Rumors" and Wow

The pop star serves goddess in a Greek mythology inspired visual

Photo: Lizzo Music

On Friday, Lizzo released her much-anticipated single “Rumors” alongside a music video in her first major release since 2019. Following up a 3x Grammy-winning album is no easy feat, but she gives it her all in a bouncing, Greek mythology-inspired visual.

Lizzo serves multiple looks, starting with a flowing golden dress and gladiator boots. And the nails. The diamond-encrusted stiletto nails. Yes. One scene draws on the Muses from Disney’s ‘Hercules’ movie, with the singer surrounded by Black plus-sized women dancing on pillars. For the second verse, a pregnant Cardi B nonchalantly reads a scroll of what must be rumors that have been written about her. She dons solid gold breastplates that regally complement her pregnant belly. While something about the video feels slightly off to me, I’d say that overall, it’s a job well done.

The song itself is very on-brand for Lizzo, though it’s less interesting than some of her previous tracks. She raps and sings animatedly, and the chorus features brass fanfare that would go nicely in a back-to-school commercial or playing in a retail store. Get that Forever 21 check, sis. There are, however, some great lines in there, such as “Black people made rock and roll” — a reference to the backlash she’s received for making “music for white people” (which is not a thing) — and “I am body goals,” a fierce assertion of self-love.

Cardi B’s verse is also a standout. She mentions numerous controversies that have surrounded her career, from her plastic surgery and past as a stripper to accusations of being an industry plant. Her line “last time I got freaky, the FCC sued me,” cites her controversial Grammy’s performance with Megan Thee Stallion, which alongside conservative outrage, resulted in over a thousand complaints to the Federal Communications Commission. It’s my favorite part of the song.

With “Rumors,” it’s clear that you’re not supposed to focus on the music so much as its message, which is one of embracing hate spewed by insidious critics and being your best self. It’s part of the recent wave of female artists, particularly Black women, reclaiming labels that have historically been used to put them down. I will say, though, that Lizzo’s line, “no, I ain’t fucked Drake yet,” seems like an unnecessary attention grab. Her name-drop, while a joke, doesn’t feel as subversive as she’s claimed it to be.

All in all, I’d say that “Rumors” gives what it’s supposed to. It’s a celebration of self, which is especially important in a society that works so hard to gatekeep desirability. Its message is timeless, so hats off to Lizzo for that.