From the album cover to the songs listed within – the artist Lizzo imbues her 2019 work *Cuz I Love You* with the message of body positivity. The cover of the album is herself in nudeagainst a dark backdrop, and her passionate vocals are filled with self-love. *Cuz I Love You* stands out as a personal work based on Lizzo’s own experience, and a highly relatable album that speaks to anyone struggling with their own beauty, inside and outside. Lizzo’s message is clear in her exuberant work, which bares her pain out to the world and wields it as a weapon of positivity: even when others ridicule you for not fitting the norm, rise beyond their negativity.

Lizzo is a well-known singer, rapper, and actor from the United States (U.S.). Having fought an internal battle against herself due to body image issues that resulted in chronic self-hate, Lizzo’s album *Cuz I Love You* celebrates her victory in the war against her own self. Moreover, it encourages others to love themselves even as society doubles down on its unrealistic expectations.

The value in Lizzo’s staunch stance was validated by the public with *Cuz I Love You* debuting at sixth place on the Billboard 200. This claim to fame was preceded by the release of “Juice”, a popular promotional single. Its favourable reception allowed two other singles to follow its debut–”Tempo” and “Cuz I Love You”. Moreover, when re-released in the deluxe version of the album, “Truth Hurts'' reached first place on the Billboard Hot 100 after the release of all its singles, also winning Best Urban Contemporary Album in at the 2020 Grammy Awards and Album/Mixtape of the Year at the 2019 Soul Train Music Awards. These accolades are well-won for Lizzo, with her soul-wrenching vocal performance in her album – her dedication to self-love is a badge of honor that she wears very well.

Out of the 11 tracks included in her album’s full release, “Juice” stands out the most, playing a starring role in the collection with its explosive vocals, retro-pop music and heartfelt meaning. “Soulmate” is another notable track, with Lizzo playing her rapper origins up to the nines and turning the song’s title into the antithesis of its traditional meaning – loving yourself for who you are, instead of waiting for the perfect charming lover to whisk you away into a traditional ever after. Lastly, the titular song “Cuz I Love You” is a loud, slamming sound that reverberates the eardrums, pushing through with an unforgettable beginning to the tone of the album. Lizzo’s brilliance is not just in her spectacular musical talent, but in how she arranges her songs to form a cohesion and a story to tell to the audience. 

Beyond those named songs, the general vibe of the album is one that exudes positivity. Just as the songs declare with their double entendres, the ultimate goal of the album is for Lizzo to show others that they can love themselves like she does. The masterful changes from pop, electro, ballad, and rap shows Lizzo’s mastery over her craft, and acts as the very vibrant expression of pride in her passion and her own assured self-love. 

*Cuz I Love You* is a collection of beats, craft, and poetry, and most importantly love for oneself. It is the musical representation of Lizzo victoriously crossing over  the *threshold* from the realm of self-hate. celebrating her merits and encouraging others to follow her musical lead, this album is a definite recommendation for people toeing the line between self-affection and self-deprecation; Lizzo’s anthems of body positivity will surely push them to accept the heart and affection that everyone deserves. As the signature song of “Cuz I Love You” declares: “Cause I'm my own soulmate, I know how to love me.”