Pop star Lizzo has suffered a major setback with her new album 'Bitch', which has failed to chart on the Billboard 200. The album, released on Atlantic Records on 5 June, has been met with negative reviews from critics, who have called it 'strangely muted' and 'disjointed'.
According to music data company Luminate, the album sold just 2,649 copies in its first week and achieved 2.7 million on-demand streams. This is a significant drop from her 2022 album Special, which sold over 39,000 copies in its first week and had 69,000 album equivalent units from streams and downloads.
Lizzo has been open about her disappointment with the album's performance, blaming the changing music industry for her lack of success. However, music executive and pundit Ray Daniels has disputed her claim, saying that artists should adapt to the new industry landscape rather than blaming it for their failure.
The poor sales of 'Bitch' may also be tied to Lizzo's public image, which has been affected by her recent controversies. In 2023, she was sued by three of her former backup dancers, who accused her of sexual misconduct and body-shaming.
Critics have also panned the album, with The Independent giving it a two-star review and calling it 'full of cliched platitudes'. The Guardian and Financial Times have also given the album two or two-and-a-half stars, comparing it unfavourably to Lizzo's previous work.