Lizzo Says She Wanted to Be ‘Mixtape Wayne’ While Recording Her Project

When Lizzo announced her latest mixtape, My Face Still Hurts From Smiling, fans were eager to hear what direction the Grammy-winning superstar would take. In a recent interview with Billboard, Lizzo revealed that the project drew heavy inspiration from none other than Lil Wayne, specifically his iconic “Mixtape Weezy” era. Known for his prolific output and inventive freestyles during the mid-2000s, Lil Wayne shaped modern hip-hop culture—and now, his creative energy is helping fuel Lizzo’s latest chapter.

The singer and rapper even joked that she started calling herself “Lizzo Wayne” during the recording process. Alongside Wayne’s influence, Lizzo also credited Missy Elliott as a core part of her artistic DNA, proving that she continues to draw from legendary innovators to create fresh and powerful music.

Lizzo’s Mixtape: A Nod to Hip-Hop History

Lizzo has never shied away from blending genres, but this time, she deliberately set out to capture the raw, spontaneous spirit of hip-hop mixtapes. Her new project, My Face Still Hurts From Smiling, isn’t just another release—it’s a tribute to Lil Wayne’s legendary mixtape run that dominated the 2000s.

“I wanted to be like Mixtape Wayne,” Lizzo explained during her Billboard interview. “I was calling myself Lizzo Wayne while I was working on this.”

Wayne’s mixtape era is considered one of the most influential stretches in modern rap, with tapes like Dedication 2 and Da Drought 3 inspiring an entire generation of artists. For Lizzo to cite this as her guiding force shows just how deeply the culture continues to impact her work.

Why “Mixtape Wayne” Still Resonates

To understand Lizzo’s admiration, it’s important to look at what “Mixtape Wayne” really represented. Between 2004 and 2009, Lil Wayne released dozens of mixtapes filled with freestyles, remixes, and experimental sounds that showcased his lyrical brilliance. This period turned him into one of the most respected artists in hip-hop and earned him the nickname “the Best Rapper Alive.”

For Lizzo, channeling that energy wasn’t about copying Wayne’s style, but rather adopting his fearless creativity and relentless output. By embracing the spirit of experimentation, Lizzo found herself breaking new ground and reconnecting with the joy of music-making.

Lizzo Wayne: A Playful Alter Ego

Artists often adopt alter egos to push creative boundaries—think Beyoncé’s Sasha Fierce or Nicki Minaj’s many characters. For Lizzo, becoming “Lizzo Wayne” was a playful but powerful mindset shift.

By calling herself this nickname, Lizzo tapped into Wayne’s confidence and drive while keeping her unique identity intact. It allowed her to approach her mixtape without pressure, reminding her to focus on fun and self-expression rather than industry expectations.

Missy Elliott’s Influence: Always in the Mix

While Lil Wayne shaped the mixtape’s direction, Lizzo was quick to point out that Missy Elliott remains a constant source of inspiration. “I always have a little bit of Missy in me,” she admitted. “She’s just part of me. So I definitely tapped into Missy while making this project.”

Missy Elliott’s futuristic beats, quirky visuals, and genre-bending artistry have influenced countless performers, and Lizzo proudly carries that torch. By combining Wayne’s raw freestyle energy with Missy’s inventive spirit, Lizzo crafted a sound that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking.

Meeting Lil Wayne in Person

As fate would have it, Lizzo finally met Lil Wayne in person at the Juneteenth celebrity softball game. For an artist who had spent months channeling Wayne’s spirit in the studio, the meeting felt almost symbolic.

In a lighthearted clip, Wayne was even seen telling Nicki Minaj about meeting Lizzo for the first time—a moment that fans quickly circulated online. The interaction has only fueled speculation: could a Lizzo and Lil Wayne collaboration be on the horizon?

The Significance of Hip-Hop Mentorship

Even though Lizzo is an established global superstar, her willingness to learn from icons like Lil Wayne and Missy Elliott highlights the importance of mentorship in hip-hop. Every generation of artists builds upon the foundation laid by those before them, and Lizzo’s acknowledgment of her influences demonstrates both humility and respect for the culture.

By embracing Wayne’s legacy, Lizzo not only honors hip-hop history but also bridges the gap between rap’s golden mixtape era and today’s genre-blending pop landscape.

My Face Still Hurts From Smiling: What to Expect

So what can fans expect from My Face Still Hurts From Smiling? Based on Lizzo’s description, the project is playful, experimental, and unapologetically bold—much like the mixtape blueprint that inspired it.

While she hasn’t revealed the full tracklist yet, Lizzo emphasized that the energy is lighthearted but powerful. “It didn’t feel like work,” she explained. “It was just genuine fun.”

That sense of fun is exactly what made Lil Wayne’s mixtapes resonate. By letting loose and experimenting, Lizzo is offering fans a rawer, more unfiltered version of herself—similar to how Wayne connected with listeners during his mixtape dominance.

The Cultural Impact of Lizzo’s Inspiration

Lizzo drawing inspiration from Lil Wayne underscores just how influential his mixtape era remains in the wider music industry. More than a decade later, artists across genres continue to cite “Mixtape Weezy” as a creative benchmark.

For Lizzo, this influence represents more than just musical style. It’s about embracing risk-taking, breaking rules, and staying authentic—values that are essential for longevity in today’s industry.

Fan Reactions and Anticipation

Since Lizzo revealed her inspiration, fans have been buzzing about the possibilities. Many are hoping for a Lizzo and Lil Wayne collaboration, while others are excited to hear how she translates Wayne’s mixtape energy into her own sound.

On social media, fans have already dubbed the potential collab as a “dream pairing,” combining Lizzo’s powerhouse vocals and playful charisma with Wayne’s legendary lyricism. Whether or not that collaboration happens, Lizzo’s mixtape is already generating major anticipation.

Conclusion: Lizzo Wayne Energy Unleashed

With My Face Still Hurts From Smiling, Lizzo is proving once again that she knows how to evolve as an artist while staying true to herself. By drawing inspiration from Lil Wayne’s Mixtape Weezy era and keeping Missy Elliott’s spirit alive in her DNA, Lizzo has crafted a project that bridges hip-hop history with her own bold artistry.

Her playful alter ego “Lizzo Wayne” reflects the joy and freedom she felt during the recording process—an energy fans will undoubtedly feel when they press play. And with rumors swirling about future collaborations, the connection between Lizzo and Lil Wayne could grow even stronger.

In the end, Lizzo’s new mixtape is more than just music—it’s a celebration of creativity, influence, and the power of inspiration across generations.