The American R&B singer known as SZA, born Solana Imani Rowe in Missouri in 1990, grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey, after her family relocated there when she was in elementary school. 

 

After dropping out of college, she adopted the moniker SZA and pursued a career as a rap star. Inspired by various artists, including filmmaker Spike Lee, SZA crafted an "alternative" R&B sound, with lyrics touching on complex subjects such as sexuality and struggles within African American communities.

 

SZA released two EPs in 2012 and 2013—See.SZA.Run and one simply titled “S.” Although neither EP charted, both received significant critical acclaim. It was SZA’s third EP, “Z,” released in 2014, that became her big breakthrough after signing with Top Dawg Entertainment in 2013, reaching the top five on the R&B charts in the United States and the top forty on the mainstream charts. The EP featured singles like “Babylon” (featuring Kendrick Lamar) and “Child’s Play” (featuring Chance the Rapper.)

 

SZA released her debut album, Ctrl in 2017 which topped the R&B charts and reached number three on the mainstream charts. Ctrl also earned SZA multiple Grammy Award nominations, including Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best New Artist. Songs from the album, such as “The Weekend,” “Supermodel,” and “Love Galore,” also received Grammy nominations. In 2022 SZA released “SOS” which earned her a Grammy in 2024 for Best progressive RnB album, along with 2 other Grammy’s for best RnB song “Snooze” and best pop duo/group performance for “Ghost in the machine” with Phoebe Bridgers. 

 

SZA has captivated audiences with her blend of R&B, hip-hop, and neo-soul, delivering introspective lyrics that touch on themes of love, identity, and empowerment. Her bold fashion sense and unapologetic approach to self-expression have solidified her as an icon of individuality in the music industry.