Stream: Lizzo – “My Face Hurts From Smiling”
Lizzo releases new “My Face Hurts From Smiling” mixtape
Lizzo is back—and she’s spitting fire.
The Grammy-winning artist just released her first full-length project since 2022’s Special. Titled My Face Hurts From Smiling, this new 13-track mixtape is already making waves online. With major features from Doja Cat and SZA, and a confident shift back to her rap roots, this tape is a love letter to boldness, self-expression, and raw joy.
Whether you’re a longtime Lizzo fan or just here or catching on to the new material, this mixtape is more than a streaming moment—it’s a cultural event.
A Mixtape With Bite: Lizzo’s Return to Rap
Lizzo built her career blending genres—pop, funk, soul, and especially rap. But fans who discovered her through hits like “Truth Hurts” or “About Damn Time” may not know she started with heavy hip-hop influences.
My Face Hurts From Smiling is a return to that foundation.
It’s loud. It’s fast. It’s filled with punchlines and personal moments.
Unlike the polished, radio-ready production of Special, this project leans into mixtape energy. That means unfiltered verses, looser beats, and creative freedom. It’s Lizzo at her most unbothered—and most fun.
Star Power: Doja Cat and SZA Join the Fun
Two standout features are getting all the attention:
- Doja Cat appears on “Still Can’t Fuh”—a cheeky, confident track with bars from both artists. Their chemistry crackles.
- SZA lends her voice to “IRL,” a track teased in the studio earlier this week. It’s sultry, spiritual, and sonically rich.
Fans had already seen snippets of Lizzo and SZA together in the studio. That buzz turned into full-blown excitement as soon as the tracklist dropped.
Both songs are early favorites—and fan engagement across TikTok and Instagram is skyrocketing.
From Special to Something…Spicier
Let’s talk contrast.
Lizzo’s 2022 album Special focused on self-love and healing. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, was Grammy-nominated, and spawned the infectious hit “About Damn Time.”
In early 2023, a remix of the title track featuring SZA extended the album’s life.
But where Special was shiny, Smiling is raw.
This mixtape doesn’t just sound different—it feels different. It’s punchier and even more fun. You can hear it in every bar. This isn’t an attempt to chase trends. It’s an artist reclaiming her sound on her terms.
What Makes a Mixtape Different From an Album?
Quick evergreen side note:
An album is a formal body of work—marketed, promoted, and released with commercial intent.
A mixtape, on the other hand, is often more informal. It can be:
- Freer in format
- Looser in themes
- Experimental in style
Artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne used mixtapes to build loyal followings and test new sounds. Lizzo’s choice to drop My Face Hurts From Smiling as a mixtape gives her creative wiggle room—and fans a rawer experience.
Why This Matters: Culture, Confidence, and Timing
Lizzo’s timing is no accident.
In 2025, conversations around body image, mental health, and Black women’s creative expression are front and center. Her mixtape drops right into the heart of these dialogues.
She’s not just releasing music—she’s making a statement.
And the title itself, My Face Hurts From Smiling, walks that line between happiness and heaviness. It’s celebratory, yes—but it also hints at emotional labor. The kind of smiling that’s sometimes forced, sometimes defiant.
Lizzo’s Creative Team: Familiar Names Behind the Boards
Production-wise, Lizzo teamed up with longtime collaborators:
- Blake Slatkin
- Ricky Reed
Both producers helped shape her biggest past hits. Their fingerprints are all over this mixtape too—though this time with a grittier edge.
The result is polished yet unpredictable, mixing electronic blips with boom-bap drums and jazzy textures.
What the Fans Are Saying (So Far)
Initial reactions on social media? Overwhelmingly positive.
TikTok has already latched onto lyrics from “Still Can’t Fuh” and “Big Face Energy.” Instagram Reels are flooded with dance challenges, lip syncs, and makeup tutorials using snippets from the mixtape.
On Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), fans are calling this:
- “Lizzo’s best work since Cuz I Love You”
- “The rap return we didn’t know we needed”
- “Mixtape of the year. Period.”
What’s Next? Hinting at a Full Album
In a recent studio update, Lizzo confirmed she’s finished recording her next full-length album. It’s titled Love in Real Life, but no release date has been set yet.
For now, My Face Hurts From Smiling feels like a warm-up lap—and a gift to longtime fans.
It’s a reminder: Lizzo’s not going anywhere. And she’s doing it her way.
Why Should You Listen?
If you’re into:
- Raw, self-assured rap
- Female-led collaborations
- Empowerment with edge
Then yes—this mixtape is for you.
It’s creative, confident, and crackling with energy. And while it offers viral moments, it also gives you something deeper: the sound of an artist having fun and making a point
Stream It Now
You can find My Face Hurts From Smiling on all major platforms: