Lizzo Sings Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Janelle Monáe in a Game of Song Association | ELLE

Back in 2017, on the day she dropped her now-massive sleeper hit “Truth Hurts,” Lizzo felt so demoralized, both by the industry and by life in general, that she texted the song’s producer to say she was thinking about quitting. Lucky for us all, she didn't.

In the two years since that fateful day, Lizzo has become a bonafide breakout star. Everything she does now earns attention, whether she’s strutting the Met Gala red carpet in head-to-toe pink or posting videos of herself twerking on Instagram. In April, she made her Coachella debut and released her debut album on Atlantic Records, Cuz I Love You. Two months later, at the 2019 BET Awards, she delivered a rollicking, knockout performance of “Truth Hurts,” complete with backup dancers, a wedding cake–themed set, and a flute solo that made Rihanna stand up and cheer. She also landed a major beauty campaign with Urban Decay; filmed a role in Hustlers with Jennifer Lopez and Cardi B; hit the fifth spot on Billboard’s Top 100 chart; and earned two 2019 MTV Video Music Award nominations, including Best New Artist. To say she’s having a moment would be an understatement—she’s having the moment.

And, to celebrate her latest win — landing our cover for ELLE's 2019 Women in Music issue — Lizzo took her turn against our #SongAssociation clock. Tune in as she sings Beyoncé, Janelle Monáe, and some of her own tunes, in an effort to top our scoreboard.

READ Lizzo's #ELLEWIM cover story:

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