One of TV's most prominent and voracious critics of President-elect Donald Trump, comedian Samantha Bee of "The Daily Show" fame gave Minneapolis hip-hop star Lizzo the tough task of ending Wednesday's post-election episode of her TBS series "Full Frontal" on a positive, perhaps even feel-good note. She clearly picked the right woman for the job.
Already renowned for her feminist songs about body image and self-respect – as rare in mainstream rap music as they were at Trump rallies – Lizzo delivered her recent hit "Good as Hell" with a horn section and discernible passion on Wednesday's show, likely to be one of Bee's top-rated episodes yet. The more dramatic and perhaps historic part of the performance, however, was her a cappella version of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which kicked off the appearance.
"The only person who can make America great is you," Lizzo yelled as she finished the traditional gospel anthem, which also played a prominent role in September's opening ceremonies for the Smithsonian's African American Museum in Washington, D.C. She went on to drop in more overtly political, barbed and sometimes explicit words about the election's results (that's a warning before watching the clip below).
"Good As Hell" first appeared on the "Barbershop 3" soundtrack and is now featured on the slick new EP, "Coconut Oil," her debut release for Atlantic Records after two buzzed-about independent albums. Lizzo, 28, has spent a lot of time in Los Angeles this past year, where she works as a co-host on the MTV series "Wonderland" and has been recording. She still counts Minneapolis as home, though, and will be back in town for a two-night stand Dec. 10-11 at First Avenue.
