Lizzo finally makes her dazzling Houston Rodeo debut with help from Houston rap and gospel stars

When Lizzo was announced as the headliner for RodeoHouston's Black Heritage Night , there were questions.

Is she the right fit? Where is she right now in her career? Will it feel as exciting as the 2020 Rodeo debut canceled by COVID ? And where is Bun B ?

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Hold my flute, Lizzo said. 

Her Friday night show was everything, in every sense of the word. It was a love letter to Houston. A showcase for Black excellence. A spectacle of superstar proportions. Everything, from the songs to the slabs, sparkled with the synergy that only happens when an artist has something to prove and revels in artistic freedom.

There's no tour upcoming or new album to plug. Lizzo released her last full-length album, "Special," in 2022 and a mixtape last year. It gave her license to let loose and have fun in Houston for a crowd of 69,362 that danced, sang and rejoiced. There were surprise guests, including a homecoming-style intro from Texas Southern University's Ocean of Soul marching band, who returned throughout the hourlong set.

Lizzo rolled onto the dirt atop the back of a slab, dressed in a black leather ensemble that combined rocker glam with cowboy flair, including chaps, fringe and multiple belts. She was joined by more than a dozen dancers, fireworks blasting around her, for "About Damn Time." It felt like a Super Bowl halftime show.

"This is the city that raised me," she said. "The woman that I am today is because of you, Houston."

Lizzo grew up in Houston, where she attended and played in the band at both Alief Elsik High School and the University of Houston. She has repeatedly said that she found her voice in hip-hop while living here.

"You have no idea how much this night means to me. This night will forever change my life. I grew up coming to the Rodeo at the Astrodome, and I never in a million years thought I would be here tonight," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "Thank you for supporting me, holding me down, lifting me up and appreciating me for who I am."

Her voice was strong and bright on "2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)" and "Cuz I Love You." The Walls Group added gorgeous harmonies to several songs, including "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the Black national anthem, and "Special," Lizzo's own ode to self-love. The Houston-based, sibling gospel quartet also joined Lizzo for Richard Smallwood's "Total Praise" with Lizzo, a moment that had several audience members visibly moved.

Then came the turn-up. Lizzo stormed through older songs "Tempo" and "Boys," along with Houston rapper Z-Ro's "Mo City Don." She was back in the slab for a few from last year's raucous "My Face Hurts from Smiling" EP that ended with a life-size pink Labubu twerking in the dirt. There was also a shout-out to Michael "5000" Watts, the Swishahouse founder who died in January .

Lizzo RodeoHouston setlist

"About Damn Time" with TSU Ocean of Soul

"Juice" with TSU Ocean of Soul 

"To Be Loved"

"Soulmate"

"Cuz I Love You" with TSU Ocean of Soul

"Lift Every Voice" with The Walls Group

"Special" with The Walls Group

"Total Praise" with The Walls Group

"Rumors"

"What's Up" with The Walls Group

"Gotcho Bitch"

"Crashout"

"Tempo"

"Boys" with TSU Ocean of Soul

"Mo City Don"

"Yitty On Yo Tittys"

"Screwed" (TSU Ocean of Soul)

"Still Tippin'" with Slim Thug, Mike Jones and Paul Wall

"Truth Hurts"

"Good As Hell" with TSU Ocean of Soul

Houston indeed held it down - all the way through a triumphant "Still Tippin'" that kicked off with Lizzo on flute and powered to the rafters with the appearance of Slim Thug, Mike Jones and Paul Wall. The show could have ended on that perfect high. But Lizzo wasn't done. She led the crowd in a joyous singlong of "Truth Hurts" and was rejoined by Ocean of Soul for "Good as Hell." Add this one to the RodeoHouston performance hall of fame.

"I have one job. God put me here for one reason. It's not for the drama, and it's not for the mess," she said. "I'm here to bring positive music to the world that helps people change their lives for the better."

Friday night at RodeoHouston,the mission was accomplished.

This article originally published at Lizzo finally makes her dazzling Houston Rodeo debut with help from Houston rap and gospel stars .