Music has always been a vibe. But when plus size artists step up to the mic, it’s more than just a bop… it’s a moment. These trailblazing artists are shifting culture, breaking down beauty standards, and serving up unapologetic anthems that empower listeners to take up space, loudly and proudly. Can we get into 10 iconic songs by plus size artists?
Because let’s be real: representation hits different when the person singing about confidence, heartbreak, or joy looks like you. From body-positive bangers to socially conscious classics, these songs prove that plus size artists don’t just deserve a seat at the table… they built the damn playlist.
1. Lizzo: “Juice”
Lizzo’s breakout hit isn’t just a catchy bop; it’s an anthem of self-celebration. With lyrics like “I’m not a snack at all / Look, baby, I’m the whole damn meal,” she flips the narrative and puts confidence front and center. And with her proudly plus size presence in music, fashion, and beauty campaigns, Lizzo has become a movement, not a moment.
“I want people to know they can be body-positive and still feel good in their skin.” – Lizzo, NPR
2. Queen Latifah: “U.N.I.T.Y.”
Before body positivity became a buzzword, Queen Latifah was living it. “U.N.I.T.Y.” tackled misogyny, catcalling, and respect with the kind of lyrical strength only a queen could deliver. Her powerful figure and even more powerful voice paved the way for generations of curvy artists after her.
3. Chika: “High Rises”
Grammy-nominated rapper Chika brings a poetic, raw truth to every track she touches. “High Rises” is about growth, breaking cycles, and leveling up, emotionally, artistically, spiritually. She’s openly spoken about her experiences as a queer, plus size woman in hip-hop, turning her vulnerability into her power.
“My body is political. My existence is political.” – Chika, Variety
4. Jazmine Sullivan: “Masterpiece (Mona Lisa)”
Jazmine Sullivan’s voice? Flawless. Her confidence? Unshakable. In “Masterpiece,” she sings about self-worth like it’s gospel. Sullivan has consistently shut down fatphobic critics and leaned fully into her artistry, earning Grammys while staying true to her curves, her voice, and her story.
5. Yola: “Stand For Myself”
British singer-songwriter Yola brings country soul to new heights. On “Stand For Myself,” she delivers a lush, empowering ballad about knowing your worth and owning it. Her voice is otherworldly, but her presence? Deeply grounded in visibility and resistance.
“I had to write myself into existence because no one else would.” – Yola, Rolling Stone
6. Lizzo: “About Damn Time”
A disco-fueled track of triumph, “About Damn Time” became a cultural reset—and won Lizzo yet another Grammy. With every shiny sequin and body roll, she reminds the world that joy is radical, especially when embodied by someone plus size in a world that often says otherwise.
7. Aretha Franklin: “Respect”
The Queen of Soul didn’t just demand R-E-S-P-E-C-T—she earned it. Aretha Franklin’s full-bodied voice and presence redefined soul music and challenged norms in every corner of pop culture. Her legacy proves that plus size women have always been icons in music, even when the industry tried to box them out.
8. Kelly Clarkson: “Whole Lotta Woman”
“Whole Lotta Woman” is a Southern-rock-funk explosion of body pride. Kelly belts, “I’m a strong, badass chick with class and confidence”—and honestly? We believe her. Clarkson’s journey through motherhood, fame, and fashion has shown us that confidence comes in all sizes.
“I’m never going to be that girl. I love my body.” – Kelly Clarkson, Redbook
9. Marsha Ambrosius – “Far Away”
Known for her work in Floetry and her solo success, Marsha Ambrosius has long delivered deeply emotional music. “Far Away” hits with the kind of vulnerability that breaks and heals. As a curvy artist navigating both R&B and mainstream spaces, her presence alone is powerful.
10. Martha Wash: “It’s Raining Men” (The Weather Girls)
The OG diva energy. Martha Wash’s vocals defined this joyful disco anthem, which still slaps on every Pride dance floor today. Her fight for credit and representation (after being erased from visuals in the ’90s) helped lead to more fair crediting laws in the music industry. And yes, she’s still performing.
“They used my voice, but not my body. That had to change.” – Martha Wash, NPR
Why This List Matters
These women, and their voices, have reshaped what power, softness, joy, and beauty look like in music. From soul to pop to hip-hop, these plus size artists didn’t wait to be accepted. They claimed space. And in doing so, they gave us the blueprint to do the same.
So next time you blast one of these tracks? Turn the volume all the way up. You’re not just listening to a song; you’re witnessing a cultural shift.
