Lizzo demanded R-E-S-P-E-C-T during the opening track of her performance at the University of Iowa’s 2018 Homecoming show on the Pentacrest.

The tune pays tribute to the late Aretha Franklin, but the Minneapolis pop star carried the “R” word further, discussing body positivity extensively between the pop tunes that were entirely familiar to the Iowa City crowd.

The “big girls” joined Lizzo onstage, along with DJ Sophia Eris, braving the brisk October night in leotards that would be more appropriate during one of Iowa City’s summer fests.

The foursome (two-part musicians, two-part dancers) combined for an incredibly well-rehearsed show that showcased choreography and synchronization that can only be found at the highest level of hip-hop music.

During the performance of “Phone,” Lizzo got the audience hopping before snagging an audience member’s phone to snap a photo.

During this part in the set, Lizzo showed the locals how fabulous she is, demanding applause,
participation, and attention between tunes.

Following “Scuse me,” the rapper took some time to pass on her message to the audience.

“I have to fill myself with love so that I can allow myself to love everyone else,” she said.

Body positivity resonates in all of her music, but it appears most strongly in the songs from her 2016 album Coconut Oil.

She countered this stretch of the set with her new song, “Boys.” In an introduction to the song, she admitted to being a little boy-crazy, giving the audience a wink as she shed her leopard spotted jacket.

The tune was immediately followed by another monologue, in which Lizzo shared a story from her sound check earlier that day. Her experience with a professor concerned about her permission to be on the stage prompted a flute solo during her performance of “Truth Hurts.”

The vocalist turned instrumentalist showed the crowd members she had something to say, and if they thought she was just another rapper, it was time to open their eyes and see the queen for who she is: an incredible musician.

In the spirit of Homecoming, Lizzo came out in a dress for the tail end of her set. After taking a swig from a tequila bottle on stage, she summoned the audience once more to join her.

“If you thought you were going to get a free peep show, that ain’t all you’re going to get,” Lizzo said. “You’re going to leave here and believe in yourself.”

The night started with the band LAV.ISH taking the stage. Following the performance from the
Hawkeye Marching Band, families cleared out quickly as the hip-hop group dominated the Pentacrest.

Iowa’s own hip-hop collective is a seven-piece group, featuring Carl Lane III and Nim Kaufman behind the mic.

The two used the entire stage to dance as they traded lyrics back and forth. Kaufman showed the greatest strength when spitting rhymes, but Lane’s voice gave the group an undeniable R&B flavor.

The show was extremely effective in preparing the audience for the headliner, but Iowa has a new headliner to be excited about in LAV.ISH.