Tempo (Lizzo song)

"Tempo"
Promotional single by Lizzo featuring Missy Elliott
from the album Cuz I Love You
B-side
ReleasedJuly 26, 2019 (2019-07-26)
Genre
Length2:55
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Lizzo
  • Ricky Reed
  • Sweater Beats
  • Dan Farber
  • Nate Mercureau
  • Tobias Wincorn
Music video
"Tempo" on YouTube

"Tempo" is a song by American singer and rapper Lizzo featuring American rapper Missy Elliott for her third studio album and major-label debut Cuz I Love You (2019). The song was originally released as a promotional single on March 20, 2019, and its music video was released on July 26, 2019.

The single was written by the two artists with contributions from Antonio Cuna (a.k.a. Sweater Beats), Tobias Wincorn, Theron Thomas, Dan Farber, and Eric Frederic (a.k.a. Ricky Reed). The recording uses a sample from an electronic recording/composition entitled "Nescafé" by Raymond Scott (from his album Manhattan Research, Inc.), who is credited as a co-writer.[3] Lizzo and Reed co-produced the track with Farber, Wincorn, Sweater Beats, and Nate Mercereau. Musically, "Tempo" is an R&B and trap song composed of a bass-heavy, woodwind-inspired beat. It contains lyrics about body positivity, and has been described by one music critic as an "ode to curvaceous women".[4]

"Tempo" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the artists' performances and deemed it a club track. Commercially, it entered several component charts in Belgium and the United States. The song was promoted by an accompanying music video, directed by Andy Hines. It was released on July 26, 2019.[5]

  1. ^ Damshenas, Sam. "Lizzo and Missy Elliott star in fierce video for body-positive anthem Tempo". Gay Times. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  2. ^ "The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  3. ^ Raymond Scott historical timeline at RaymondScott.net
  4. ^ Battle, Marquaysa (March 21, 2019). "Lizzo And Missy Elliott Dropped A Body-Positive Song Everyone Should Hear Today". RaveList. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  5. ^ Renshaw, David. "Lizzo and Missy Elliott party in a parking lot in the "Tempo" video". The Fader. Retrieved July 28, 2019.