advertisement
Music News

Lizzo Throws Shade at Trump’s Tariffs With ‘Tariffied’ Shirt on ‘SNL’: Watch

The rapper-singer performed songs from her upcoming fifth album during the April 12 episode.

Lizzo performs as musical guest during "Saturday Night Live" on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

Lizzo performs as musical guest during "Saturday Night Live" on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

Courtesy Photo

Lizzo has a message for President Donald Trump’s economic policies.

During her April 12 appearance as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, the 36-year-old rapper-singer wore a black T-shirt with the word “TARIFFIED” in bold red letters — a clear jab of Trump’s newly announced 145% tariff on Chinese imports.


Appearing on the Jon Hamm-hosted episode, Lizzo used the platform to promote her upcoming fifth album, Love in Real Life, which currently has no official release date. This marked her fourth appearance on the iconic sketch comedy show (she also hosted once in 2022).

For her opening performance, Lizzo took the stage with a trio of backup singers and an electric guitar to perform a medley of “Love in Real Life” and “Still Bad.” After a brief shredding session, she ditched the guitar and was joined by a crew of dancers, all dressed in black, to finish off the high-energy performance — all while rocking her politically charged “TARIFFIED” shirt.

advertisement

Later in the show, Lizzo delivered a show-stopping performance of “Don’t Make Me Love You,” a likely track from Love in Real Life. Channeling an ’80s vibe, she stunned the audience in a shimmery gold dress, with her hair blown by wind machines as she belted out the powerful song.

Lizzo confirmed last month that Love in Real Life is officially complete. “ALBUM IS DONE YALL!” she shared on Instagram, posting a photo of herself in the studio with a playful caption: “ASTROLOGY EXPERTS Do my mercury got micro braids? Cus I got an emergency root canal, announced SNL & finished my album all in one day today.”

So far, Lizzo has released two tracks from the upcoming album: “Still Bad” and the title track. Aside from “Pink” for Greta Gerwig’s 2023 Barbie soundtrack, the first singles from the project mark the Yitty founder’s first proper releases since 2022’s Special, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and spawned two-week Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single “About Damn Time.”

advertisement

This article was originally published by Billboard U.S.

advertisement
Owen Riegling leads CMAOntario) Awards nominations with six.
Matt Berinato

Owen Riegling leads CMAOntario) Awards nominations with six.

FYI

Music News Digest: Country Music Association of Ontario Awards Ready To Roll, Toronto Jazz Fest Names Lineup

Also this week: Jessica Sevier signs to Paquin, the Toronto Blues Society celebrates its 40th anniversary party and the return of the star-studded Dream Serenade benefit.

Awards News

The annual Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) Awards and Festival takes place in Hamilton this weekend. “’Hamilton is Home’ goes the popular local expression, and that’s just what it feels like as we return to Hamilton for the 13th annual CMAOntario Festival and Awards, to reward and celebrate the best of us,” said the organization’s chair Patrick Duffy.

Events include the industry-driven R2i TuneUp Conference, Songs and Stories: Songwriters in the Round, featuring such notables as The Redhill Valleys, Andrew Hyatt, Sacha, Nate Haller, Robyn Ottolini, The Western Swing Authority and other nominees, all performing on May 30 at the Textile Building, the Bonfire showcase plus two open stages. The weekend concludes with the grand finale, the 13th Annual CMAOntario Awards Show, at the historic The Music Hall (in New Vision United Church) on June 1.

keep readingShow less
advertisement