Big Grrrl Small World cover art

  Studio Album · No. 2

Big Grrrl Small World Songwriting Credits by Lizzo

2015 BGSW 12 tracks 44 min

Produced by BJ Burton, Sam Spiegel, Jake Troth, Lazerbeak, Bionik, Taskforce

BGSW Hip HopR&BSoul
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Lizzo carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
12 trackswritten by Lizzo 0 tracksoutside writers
Lizzo's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
1
Lyricists
6
Producers
2015
Released
Data Insight

Big Grrrl Small World is Lizzo's second album, recorded largely at Justin Vernon's April Base Studios in Wisconsin and produced in the main by BJ Burton, who handled seven of the twelve tracks plus executive production. Lizzo wrote across the record and pushes a more soulful, song-driven direction than the rap-forward material of her debut, moving between singing and rapping within individual tracks. "My Skin" sits at the center as what she called the album's thesis statement, a body-acceptance song that grew out of her 2014 StyleLikeU appearance. The album was released on her own independent BGSW imprint in December 2015 and later pulled from streaming in 2019 during her Best New Artist push.

Big Grrrl Small World is Lizzo's second studio album, released in 2015 on her own BGSW imprint. Lizzo is the sole credited writer on all twelve tracks, with production split between BJ Burton (her primary collaborator on this record) and Bionik. The album is more polished than Lizzobangers, leaning into R&B and soul alongside hip-hop. Tracks like "My Skin" and "B.G.S.W." showcase the body-positive, emotionally forthright songwriting that would define her later mainstream work. The album marked the end of her fully independent era before she signed with Atlantic Records.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Ain't I
Lizzo Lizzo BJ BurtonSam SpiegelJake Troth Lizzo (Vocals)
2
Betcha
Lizzo Lizzo BJ Burton Lizzo (Vocals)
3
Ride
Lizzo Lizzo BJ BurtonLazerbeak Lizzo (Vocals)
4
Humanize
Lizzo Lizzo BJ Burton Lizzo (Vocals)
5
Bother Me
Lizzo Lizzo BJ Burton Lizzo (Vocals)
6
B.G.S.W.
Lizzo Lizzo Bionik Lizzo (Vocals)
7
The Fade
Lizzo Lizzo Taskforce Lizzo (Vocals)
8
1 Deep
Lizzo Lizzo BJ Burton Lizzo (Vocals)
9
The Realest
Lizzo Lizzo BJ Burton Lizzo (Vocals)
10
En Love
Lizzo Lizzo Bionik Lizzo (Vocals)
11
My Skin
Lizzo Lizzo Bionik Lizzo (Vocals)
12
Jang a Lang
Lizzo Lizzo Bionik Lizzo (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 7 contributors

L
Lizzo
Writer · Vocals
On this album12 written
BB
BJ Burton
Producer
On this album7 produced
B
Bionik
Producer
On this album4 produced
JT
Jake Troth
Producer
On this album1 produced
L
Lazerbeak
Producer
On this album1 produced
SS
Sam Spiegel
Producer
On this album1 produced
T
Taskforce
Producer
On this album1 produced

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Frequently Asked Questions Big Grrrl Small World

Who produced Big Grrrl Small World?
BJ Burton was the primary producer, handling seven of the twelve tracks and serving as executive producer. Additional production came from Stefon "Bionik" Taylor, Lazerbeak, Taskforce, Sam Spiegel, and Jake Troth. Much of the album was recorded at Justin Vernon's April Base Studios in Fall Creek, Wisconsin.
Did Lizzo write the songs on Big Grrrl Small World?
Yes. The songs are credited to Melissa "Lizzo" Jefferson, who wrote across the album while working closely with BJ Burton and the other producers on the music and arrangements.
What is "My Skin" by Lizzo about?
"My Skin" is a body-acceptance and self-love song that Lizzo described as the thesis statement of the album. It grew out of her 2014 appearance with StyleLikeU and is one of the record's most personal moments.
What singles were released from Big Grrrl Small World?
Three songs were issued as singles in late 2015: "Humanize" on October 13, "Ain't I" on October 27, and "My Skin" on November 18. None of them charted on the major Billboard charts.
What kind of album is Big Grrrl Small World?
It is a hip hop album with strong soul and R&B leanings. Lizzo moves between rapping and singing throughout, and critics noted that the tracks often shift into a different feel from where they begin, showing both sides of her as a vocalist and a rapper.
When and on what label was Big Grrrl Small World released?
The album was released on December 11, 2015, on Lizzo's own independent label, BGSW. It was later removed from streaming services in 2019 to support her Grammy Best New Artist campaign.
Where was Big Grrrl Small World recorded?
Much of the album was recorded between 2013 and 2015 at April Base Studios, the Wisconsin studio owned by Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, where BJ Burton frequently worked.
Did Big Grrrl Small World chart or earn any certifications?
No. As an independent release the album did not appear on the major Billboard charts and earned no certifications, though it drew generally favorable reviews and a Metacritic score of 79.

Sources

Wikipedia: Big Grrrl Small World MusicBrainz: Big GRRRL Small World (release group) Cover Art Archive: Big GRRRL Small World front cover Cover Art Archive: Big Grrrl Small World by Lizzo