Lizzo Wants AAVE To Be "Reserved For The People Who Created It"

BY Caroline Fisher
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Lizzo In Concert - New York, NY
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Lizzo performs at Radio City Music Hall on September 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Lizzo thinks we should "bring back gatekeeping."

Lizzo has never been a stranger to expressing her opinions on the internet, and recently, she decided to weigh in on non-African American people using AAVE (African American Vernacular English). According to her, it can have some serious consequences, and shouldn't be taken lightly. She explains that while certain terms have risen to popularity online, they've been used by the African American community for years, and should be reserved for those who created them. The hitmaker responded to a TikTok of a woman joking about being annoyed by the overuse of the term "type sh*t" by potential romantic partners.

"Why don't we bring back gatekeeping?" Lizzo begins. "So that AAVE is reserved for the people who created it and grew up speaking it. So that all these people that are now talking like Black people because they read words on the internet and don't know the origin and don't participate in the culture don't overuse it and then things like this happen."

Lizzo Thinks "Gatekeeping" Should Be Brought Back

"Because 'ganglish' is definitely the new 'thug,'" Lizzo continues. "When police would call someone a 'thug' but it's really a Black person, which is the new hard R N-word. I know so many people who have said 'type sh*t type sh*t' their entire lives. I've heard them talk like that for years before it became trendy on the internet to say that. But maybe if these internet people get sick of it, we can just continue to use our dialect in peace... Type sh*t."

While some social media users are dissing Lizzo for getting "too offended," others agree with her. Do you? What do you think of her claims that non-African Americans using AAVE could have serious consequences? What about her calling for "gatekeeping" to be brought back? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

About The Author
Caroline Fisher is currently a News Editor at HotNewHipHop. Her time at HotNewHipHop began in 2023 when she began writing about music and pop culture full-time. Since then, she has helped cover major stories including the YSL RICO trial, Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s explosive feud, Diddy’s ongoing legal battle, and awards shows such as the BET Awards. Being from Chicago, she also got the opportunity to attend Summer Smash 2024 and review Chief Keef’s historic homecoming show. She additionally covered sets by Flo Milli, Playboi Carti, Bktherula, and more.

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