SZA

American singer-songwriter (born 1989)

For other uses, see SZA (disambiguation).

SZA

SZA in 2024

Born|

Solána Imani Rowe

(1989-11-08) November 8, 1989 (age 35)

St. Louis, Missouri, US

Occupations|

* Singer-songwriter
* actress

Years active| 2011–present
Works|

* Discography
* songs

Awards| Full list
Musical career
Origin| Maplewood, New Jersey, US
Genres|

* R&B
* alternative
* pop
* hip-hop

Instrument| Vocals
Labels|

* TDE
* RCA

Website| szactrl.com
szasos.com

Musical artist

Signature

Solána Imani Rowe (born November 8, 1989), known professionally as SZA (/ˈsɪzə/ ⓘ SIZ-ə), is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her diaristic lyrics and alternative R&B sound incorporating multiple genres, she is a significant figure in influencing contemporary R&B music.

SZA first garnered attention with her self-released extended plays (EPs) See.SZA.Run (2012) and S (2013). The projects led her to sign with Top Dawg Entertainment in 2013, through which she released her third EP, Z (2014). Her rock and jazz-influenced debut studio album, Ctrl (2017), was a critical and commercial success. It earned four Grammy Award nominations in 2018, and became the second longest-charting R&B album by a woman on the US Billboard 200. After Ctrl, she embarked on a series of collaborations. Her 2018 single "All the Stars" with Kendrick Lamar was a top-10 single in the US and UK, and it earned her Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song. SZA's feature on Doja Cat's "Kiss Me More" (2021) set a record as the longest-running all-female collaboration in the US top-ten and won SZA her first Grammy Award.

SZA experimented with several genres like rock, hip-hop, and pop on her second studio album, SOS (2022). It spent twelve weeks at number one on the Billboard 200, broke several chart records, and set an achievement for the largest streaming week for an R&B album in the US. Its six singles consisted of five top-10 songs, including her first global number-one "Kill Bill". SZA achieved two more US number-one singles in 2023 and 2025, with Drake's "Slime You Out" and Lamar's "Luther" respectively. In 2024, SZA released the reissue album of SOS, Lana, which consisted of outtakes alongside post-SOS music. The reissue spawned two top-ten singles, "Saturn" and "30 for 30" with Lamar. SZA made her acting debut in the comedy film One of Them Days (2025).

SZA has earned numerous accolades throughout her career, including five Grammy Awards, a Brit Award, an American Music Award, a Guild of Music Supervisors Award, and two Billboard Women in Music awards, including Woman of the Year. She has co-written songs for artists such as Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Travis Scott, Schoolboy Q, and Rihanna. In 2024, she received the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

## Early life and education

[edit]

Solána Imani Rowe[1] was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 8, 1989.[2][3] She grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her parents are from the Southern United States; Rowe's mother, Audrey, was an executive at AT&T, while her father, Abdul, was a video producer at CNN.[4] As a child, Rowe was affectionally nicknamed by her mother "Chickabee", derived from the film Nell (1994).[5] Rowe's relatives include a half-sister, Panya, who is eleven years older than her, and a brother, Daniel, who is a rapper known by the stage name Manhattan.[6] She has a niece, Carolyn, who also makes music.[7] Rowe considers her maternal grandmother, Norma, her best friend.[8]

Audrey is Christian, while Abdul is Muslim.[9] Rowe's father would attend her mother's church for special occasions, while her mother would dress up for Jum'ah and accompany her father to the mosque.[6] Rowe attended both Sunday school and Muslim school.[6] In an interview with the blog Muslim Girl, she said that her parents have accepted each other's religions, "their faiths and beliefs [having integrated]".[10]

> It's like the belief in one God, all the pillars of Islam et cetera, and I think those are ideas that will never leave me, those make sense in my spirit. It's the way that I connect with God; it has always made sense to me. I think I would love to wear my hijab but I feel like I don't wanna wear my hijab and talk crazy on stage and be in videos with Travis Scott. Like I don't wanna be disrespectful because I have too much love and respect for the religion, for my father, and for myself.[11]

Rowe wore a hijab during elementary and early middle school.[12] Following the September 11 attacks, in her middle school years, she stopped wearing one for fears of Islamophobic bullying.[12][13] She later attended Columbia High School, where she participated in the school's gymnastics and cheerleading teams, as well as its dance team dubbed the Special Dance Company.[14] After graduating in 2008, Rowe enrolled in three different colleges before settling at Delaware State University to study marine biology.[15][9][16] She dropped out in her final semester to focus on her music career and worked various jobs to support herself.[17]

After dropping out, Rowe often drank Malibu, smoked marijuana, and overslept daily.[6] She lied about her age to get a bartending job and occasionally dance at several strip clubs in New Jersey and New York City.[18] When she formed her stage name SZA, Rowe was inspired by Nation of Islam, a black nationalist religious movement.[19] She took cues from the Supreme Alphabet,[20] taking influence from rappers RZA and GZA of Wu-Tang Clan.[21] The last two letters in her name stand for Zig-Zag and Allah, while the first letter S can mean either savior or sovereign.[22][23]

## Career

[edit]

### 2011–2014: Career beginnings and EPs

[edit]

SZA performing in 2013

SZA first met members of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) during the CMJ New Music Report in 2011, when her boyfriend's clothing company sponsored a show in which Kendrick Lamar was performing. SZA's early music was shared with TDE president Terrence "Punch" Henderson, who was impressed by the quality of the material.[24] SZA's early music was recorded with friends and neighbors, with many of the beats "stole[n]" from the Internet.[25] SZA self-released her debut extended play (EP) See.SZA.Run on October 29, 2012.[26][27] The extended play was met with positive reviews upon release. The Guardian commended the EP, its lyrical content and production, and compared it to the work of musicians like Drake and the Weeknd.[28]

SZA self-released her second EP, S, on April 10, 2013.[29][30] It was positively received; Consequence of Sound thought that the "dreamy [and] warped [EP] manage[d] to exude confidence and fragility".[31] SZA promoted the extended play with the release of a music video for the EP's lead single, "Ice.Moon".[32] SZA and Punch stayed in contact, and after SZA began garnering attention with the release of her two EPs, TDE stepped in to sign her on July 14, 2013, making her the label's first female artist.[24][33] In October 2013, SZA joined Swedish band Little Dragon for a four-show tour, beginning on October 17 at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles and concluding on October 24 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn.[34] That December, she released the song "Teen Spirit", which was later remixed with a guest verse from rapper 50 Cent.[23] The remix was accompanied by a music video directed by APlusFilmz.[35]

In 2014, SZA was featured on multiple tracks from her labelmates' projects, including two songs on Isaiah Rashad's debut EP, Cilvia Demo,[36][37] and a collaboration on Schoolboy Q's debut album, Oxymoron.[38] She followed up with the release of her third studio EP, Z, on April 8,[39] led by the single "Babylon" featuring Lamar,[40] which was accompanied by a music video directed by APlusFilmz.[41] To promote the EP, SZA performed at several showcases during the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas.[42][43] Z marked SZA's chart debut in the UK, reaching number 32 on the R&B chart for the week ending April 19.[44] In the US, the EP debuted at number 39 on the US Billboard 200, selling 6,980 copies in its first week, and peaked at number nine on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[45] That November, SZA released "Sobriety" via SoundCloud, which the singer described as "not R&B".[46] In the following month, SZA and the Internet supported Jhené Aiko's "Enter The Void" tour.[47] SZA began recording the first songs for her forthcoming debut album in 2014.[48]

### 2015–2018: Ctrl and breakthrough

[edit]

While working on her fourth EP, A, which would later become her debut album, SZA began writing songs for other singers, including Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé on "Feeling Myself", as well as Travis Scott on "Ok Alright".[49][50][51] SZA also co-wrote "Consideration" for Rihanna's 2016 album Anti, alongside Rihanna and Tyran Donaldson.[52] In addition to contributing as a writer, she was also featured on the song.[53] SZA later joined Rihanna for a live performance of "Consideration" at the 2016 Brit Awards.[54] Around this time, she collaborated with several of her labelmates on various projects, including Ab-Soul on "Lonely Soul/The Law (Prelude)",[55] Schoolboy Q on "Neva Change",[56] and Isaiah Rashad on "Stuck in the Mud".[57] She appeared on two tracks from Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) as a background vocalist,[58] as well as a feature on his 2016 song "Untitled 04 | 08.14.2014".[59]

SZA performing in Toronto on the Ctrl The Tour in August 2017

After signing a contract with RCA Records in April 2017,[60][61] SZA released her debut studio album, Ctrl, on June 9.[62][63] Originally slated for release in 2015, the release was marred by several delays rooted in disagreements between SZA and TDE executives.[64][65] Struggling with perfectionism and the selection of tracks, she became frustrated with the process.[66] In 2016, she expressed her frustration on Twitter, stating that she was considering quitting music and allowing TDE president Punch to release Ctrl on her behalf.[67][68] In mid-2017, an unknown person took the hard drive containing the album's music.[64]

Ctrl was described by critics as R&B, incorporating elements of jazz and alternative.[69][70] SZA took influences from rock music for the project, shown through tracks like "Drew Barrymore" and "Prom".[71] Ctrl was released to universal critical acclaim;[72][73] on Metacritic, it earned a score of 86 out of 100.[74] The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, with 125,000 album-equivalent units.[75] The album spawned five singles: "Drew Barrymore", "Love Galore", "The Weekend", "Broken Clocks", and "Garden (Say It like Dat)", all of which are certified Double Platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[note 1] Ctrl was ranked as one of the best albums of 2017 by several critics, being named the best by Time,[77] New York Daily News,[78] and Vice.[79] Between August 2017 to February 2018, SZA promoted the album on a North American and Oceanic concert tour consisting of more than fifty shows.[80] SZA opened for the European portion of Bryson Tiller's "Set It Off Tour" in support of his album True to Self from October 17, 2017, to November 30, 2017, separate from SZA's tour.[81]

In August 2017, SZA collaborated with the American pop rock band Maroon 5 on their single "What Lovers Do", from their sixth studio album Red Pill Blues.[82] It peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking SZA's first top-ten song in the US.[83] The following month, she released "Quicksand", which was included on the second soundtrack for HBO's Insecure.[84][85] Around the same time, she joined Khalid and Post Malone on the remix of Lorde's single "Homemade Dynamite", from her album Melodrama.[86] In October, SZA, alongside Mark Ronson and Tame Impala, began working on a joint album project.[87] In November 2017, SZA received five Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist.[88][89] She was the most-nominated female artist at the 2018 Grammy Awards.[90] Despite her multiple nominations, she did not win in any category.[91][92]

In January 2018, SZA collaborated with Lamar on "All the Stars", the lead single from the soundtrack album of the film Black Panther.[93][94] The song peaked at number seven on the Hot 100, marking SZA's second top-ten.[83][95] In April, she worked with rapper Cardi B on the track "I Do", which was featured on Cardi B's debut album, Invasion of Privacy (2018).[96]

### 2019–2023: Collaborations and SOS

[edit]

In May 2019, SZA was featured on "Just Us", a track from DJ Khaled's eleventh studio album, Father of Asahd.[97][98] In February 2020, she collaborated with Justin Timberlake on "The Other Side", a song from the Trolls World Tour soundtrack.[99][100] The following month, SZA signed with WME for representation across all areas.[101] On April 22, 2020, she participated in a benefit concert alongside artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Halsey to support New Jersey's COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts. The event featured at-home performances, with proceeds directed to the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund.[102][103] On May 25, 2020, SZA expressed interest on Twitter in releasing a collection of previously unreleased songs, potentially consisting of twenty tracks.[104][105]

In August 2020, SZA sparked speculation about label tensions when she tweeted and deleted, "At this point y'all gotta ask Punch", referring to Terrence "Punch" Henderson, the president of TDE.[106][107] In a follow-up tweet, she mentioned that all he ever told her about releasing new music was "soon".[108] This revealed that her relationship with her label had been hostile since the delays of her second album, which was last announced back in an interview in 2019.[109] SZA made her long-awaited return as a lead artist on September 4, 2020, with "Hit Different", featuring Ty Dolla Sign and produced by the Neptunes.[110][111] On December 25, she officially released "Good Days" after previewing it in the outro of the "Hit Different" music video.[112][113] The song, which featured background vocals from English singer Jacob Collier, peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, making it SZA's first solo top-ten.[114][115] She later revealed that "Good Days" was not initially planned as a single.[116] Both songs were originally expected to be included on her upcoming second studio album, but "Good Days" ultimately made the final tracklist.[117]

In April 2021, SZA was featured on Doja Cat's "Kiss Me More", the lead single from her album Planet Her.[118][119] The song became a global success, reaching number one in New Zealand[120] and landing in the top ten on the charts in the United States,[121] Canada,[122] the United Kingdom,[123] Australia,[124] Ireland,[125] and Lithuania.[126] It became the longest-charting all-female collaboration on the Hot 100, breaking the record set by Brandy and Monica's "The Boy is Mine" from 1998.[127] Later that year, SZA released a cover of "The Anonymous Ones", a song written for the soundtrack of the 2021 film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen.[128][129] A collaboration between SZA and Summer Walker, "No Love", was released on November 5, 2021.[130] Following its success on R&B charts, the song was later re-released as an official single with an extended version in March 2022.[131] In December 2021, SZA officially released the single "I Hate U", after the song went viral on TikTok;[132] it was initially released exclusively on SoundCloud in August.[133][134] Following the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, SZA confirmed that her second studio album was completed and would be released "soon".[135]

On June 9, 2022, SZA released a deluxe edition of Ctrl to celebrate its five-year anniversary.[63][136] This version included seven previously unreleased tracks, such as "TwoAM",[note 2] "Jodie", "Percolator", and an alternate version of "Love Galore" without Travis Scott.[136] On October 28, 2022, SZA released a new single, "Shirt", accompanied by a music video starring actor LaKeith Stanfield.[139] Originally teased in late 2020, the song gained traction on TikTok through a viral challenge.[140] A snippet was later featured as the outro in the official music video for "Good Days".[141] At the end of the "Shirt" music video, SZA previewed another track, which she later confirmed was titled "Blind".[142][143]

On her 33rd birthday, November 8, 2022, SZA released a teaser titled "PSA" on Instagram.[144][145] The video ended with Morse code spelling out "S.O.S.", sparking speculation about a new project.[146] On November 16, 2022, Billboard officially confirmed that her second studio album would be titled SOS and was set for a December release.[147] After performing "Shirt" and "Blind" on Saturday Night Live, SZA announced that the album would be released on December 9, 2022.[148] Wanting to demonstrate her versatility, she incorporated an amalgam of genres on her second album, such as R&B, rap, rock, and pop.[149][150] In addition to "Good Days", "Shirt", and "I Hate U", SOS spawned three extra singles: "Nobody Gets Me", "Kill Bill", and "Snooze".[151] "Kill Bill" was SZA's first number-one on the Billboard Global 200 and Hot 100 charts,[152][153] while "Snooze" was the only song to remain on the Hot 100 for all of 2023.[154]

SOS spent its first seven weeks at number one on the Billboard 200—the longest run for a female album in the decade and the first R&B album to achieve this since Whitney Houston's Whitney (1987).[5] To promote the album, SZA embarked on the SOS Tour from 2023 to 2024, performing 63 shows across North America, Europe, and Oceania.[49][155] Omar Apollo, d4vd, Raye, and Sir served as opening acts for different legs of the tour.[156][157] In January 2023, SZA featured on the remix of Lizzo's single "Special" from her eponymous 2022 album.[158] In March 2023, SZA modeled for Kim Kardashian's fashion brand, Skims, representing the "Fits Everybody" collection, which includes size-inclusive T-shirts, bodysuits, and intimate apparel.[159][160] In September 2023, SZA collaborated with Drake on the single "Slime You Out" for the latter's eighth album, For All the Dogs.[161] "Slime You Out" was SZA's second song to top the Hot 100 chart, following "Kill Bill".[162]

The same month, SZA performed at an invite-only show in Brooklyn Navy Yard to celebrate the success of SOS. Included in the set were four unreleased songs: "Saturn", "PSA", "Diamond Boy (DTM)", and "BMF" (then "Boy from South Detroit").[163] SZA told the crowd that the deluxe edition of SOS, titled Lana, would be "coming soon".[164] In November, SZA told Variety that Lana was not a conventional deluxe edition. She described it as virtually a new album, with a track list that was continuously expanding.[165] Many of the songs were newly recorded pieces of music; others were outtakes from SOS.[166] The scheduled release date for Lana was suggested by SZA to be around December 2023. That month on social media, she posted a series of images that contained a parental advisory sticker, hinting at potential cover artworks.[164] The year ended without any releases.[167]

### 2024–present: Lana and acting debut

[edit]

SZA at the Glastonbury Festival 2024

Variety and Time magazines listed Lana as one of the most anticipated albums of 2024.[168][169] On February 22, SZA released "Saturn" as the album's lead single.[170] It became a major success, reaching top ten on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200.[171][172] It later won Best R&B Song at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025 and was nominated for Best R&B Performance.[173][174] On November 22, 2024, former labelmate Kendrick Lamar released his sixth studio album, GNX.[175][176] SZA was prominently featured on the third track, "Luther", contributing vocals on two verses as well as the chorus. She also appeared on the album's closing track, "Gloria", performing the chorus and outro.[177] On November 25, 2024, SZA announced that she would release a new album before the end of the year on Kai Cenat's Mafiathon 2 Twitch stream that also featured Lizzo. She also did an interview with British Vogue where she said that she had "projects in development".[178] Lana, the deluxe reissue for SOS, was released on December 20, 2024,[179] which, in addition to "Saturn", included the singles "BMF" and "30 for 30" with Kendrick Lamar, as well as the promotional single "Drive".[180][181][182]

SZA made her acting debut in the Issa Rae-produced film One of Them Days (2025), alongside Keke Palmer. SZA plays Alyssa while Palmer plays Dreux, who must urgently find rent money after one of their boyfriends recklessly spends it all.[183][184] Several critics praised SZA and Palmer's on-screen chemistry,[185][186][187] and 93% of the 106 reviews from critics from Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a positive review.[188] Elmo declared SZA an "honorary muppet" during an episode filmed for the 55th season of Sesame Street, released in 2025.[189][190] On February 9, 2025, Lana was rereleased with four additional tracks, including the unreleased song "PSA" and "Open Arms" without Travis Scott.[191][192] That same day, SZA was a featured performer in the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, with the main performer being Kendrick Lamar.[193] Following their joint performance, "30 for 30" reached a new peak of number 10 on the Hot 100 (despite not being part of the set list), and Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us" broke the record set by "Kill Bill" for the longest number-one on US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[194] The week after, "Luther" topped the Hot 100, SZA's third song to do so.[195] In support of GNX, she and Lamar are set to embark on the Grand National Tour from April to August in Europe and North America.[196][197]

In March 2025, SZA announced on The Jennifer Hudson Show that she was launching a fashion brand called Not Beauty, which would be available exclusively for purchase on the Grand National Tour. The line will feature beauty products such as lip glosses, creams, liners, and stains.[198]

## Artistry

[edit]

### Influences

[edit]

SZA has cited musical artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Lauryn Hill and Ashanti as influences.

Growing up, SZA was exposed by her family to artists from different genres, which were formative influences for her music.[199] Her mother enjoyed R&B and church music,[200] her father was a fan of jazz and funk musicians like Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, and John Coltrane,[201][202] and her sister listened to melodic rap and hip-hop artists like Tupac Shakur.[5][199] SZA listens to Ella Fitzgerald for vocal influence[203] and has said that Lauryn Hill is one of her personal influences.[204] SZA has expressed admiration for singer Ashanti, citing her as a major inspiration and someone she has loved since childhood.[205]

SZA also cites Meelah, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, LFO, Macy Gray, Common, Björk, Jamiroquai, and "a lot of Wu, Nas, Mos Def, Hov" as inspirations.[16] Speaking on her influences, SZA said: "[My] personal influences came from dancing with American Ballet Theatre and doing pieces to Björk [music]. That's the only time I had really any outside influence to music. So, the people that I fell in love with on a musical level were always much older. Jamiroquai is just, like, the shit for me."[206] In an interview for Live Nation Entertainment, SZA described the meeting she had with Beyoncé for the writing of the song "Feeling Myself", affirming "Beyoncé might be the most perfect, beautiful being I've ever met in my whole life. She's the most inspirational woman on earth, next to my mother". SZA also expressed admiration for Rihanna, praising her strong and confident attitude and her commitment to creating only the music she truly wants to make.[207]

SZA is known for referencing films and television series across her discography. She has named multiple songs after actresses or the characters they play.[208] "Drew Barrymore" was named after and inspired by the actress,[209] "Jodie" was named after Jodie Foster,[note 3] and "Go Gina" is a reference to Tisha Campbell's role of Gina on the sitcom Martin (1992–1997).[212] Throughout her second studio album, SOS, SZA incorporates numerous film references in both song titles and lyrics: she named "Kill Bill" after the 2003–2004 film duology;[213] in "Blind", she references Julia Stiles in Save the Last Dance (2001); in the song "Used", SZA makes a reference to Obi-Wan, the Jedi Master from Star Wars; and "Smoking on My Ex Pack" contains a comparison between SZA's former romantic partners and Sideshow Bob, a character from The Simpsons who is both a clown and a criminal.[214] "Scorsese Baby Daddy", from Lana, is a reference to filmmaker and director Martin Scorsese.[215]

### Music

[edit]

"Drew Barrymore" (2017)

SZA self-identifies with the label "alternative", and she has resisted being categorized solely as R&B throughout her career. One song that demonstrates her style of alternative music is her 2017 single "Drew Barrymore".[70][216]

* * *

"30 for 30" (2025)

Throughout her career, SZA has experimented with various genres, like hip-hop, in tandem with R&B.[216][217] In the single "30 for 30", SZA combines her usual R&B singing style with a rap flow.[218][219]

* * *

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#### Genre

[edit]

Critics have frequently described SZA as an R&B singer-songwriter,[220] a narrative for which she has expressed disdain since the beginning of her career. In 2014, when she uploaded the single "Teen Spirit" on SoundCloud, she tagged the song with the categories "Glitter Trap" and "Not R&B".[46] SZA's earliest songs are built around dreamlike, psychedelic, and lo-fi instrumentals; she describes them as "'hood, with feminine inflections."[5]

SZA identifies with the label "alternative", a subgenre of R&B that borrows from other genres like rock music. Many of her songs from Ctrl have influences of alternative rock, whereas one track from SOS, "F2F", is explicitly pop rock.[70][216] In her view, her being described as a contemporary R&B artist in the media is restrictive and racially prejudiced.[221] She considers it a byproduct of the racist segregation of Black artists from White artists during the 20th century, which industry professionals did by relegating Black people to R&B categories.[5][222] Saying that Black music has never been limited to the genre, SZA told Consequence: "We started rock 'n' roll. Why can't we just be expansive and not reductive?"[222]

Outside of R&B, critics have also written that several of her works combine the genre with hip-hop[223][224] or pop music.[25] Regardless, SZA has expressed confusion about the media's attempts to categorize her. She prefers to be seen as simply someone who makes music and nothing more, saying, "when you try to label it, you remove the option for it to be limitless. It diminishes the music."[225] "Genre agnosticism" was how Michael Madden of Consequence described SZA's musical style.[226]

#### Voice

[edit]

According to Rolling Stone's Marissa G. Muller, SZA's voice alternates between a "vapory husk and a sky-high falsetto".[227] Jordan Sargent, in a Pitchfork review of Z, describes her vocals as "chillwave" and "ethereal".[228] Her vocal style has been described as taking on the "lilt" of a jazz singer.[229]

SZA has a slight speech impediment, which influences her delivery.[230] Her fans treat it as a running joke, saying that she sings in "cursive and italics".[230][231] However, journalist Mankaprr Conteh argues that SZA's enunciation began to be clearer with SOS. Conteh adds that nevertheless, "her words retain the swirls and curves that can make them run together and occasionally become alluringly hard to decipher."[232]

### Songwriting

[edit]

> When I'm in the studio, it hurts too much sometimes [...] It's easier to be me through [other artists'] eyes than it is to sit with some of the really harsh things that I say about myself to myself.

SZA while interviewing Kendrick Lamar for Harper's Bazaar, 2024

SZA sees songwriting as a way of proving her self-worth.[233] She personally considers her songwriting awards as her most important achievements, having started her career without anyone to write for her.[234] An enjoyer of poetry, SZA began writing songs due to her passion about the hobby.[235]

SZA also thinks of songwriting as a form of self-therapy, using it to record and resolve her struggles.[236] However, when she tries to draw from her experiences and emotions, the weight of the pain can be too much to bear. Therefore, she sometimes writes from the perspective of other people. With a tendency to self-deprecate, SZA sees the writing technique as a way to "say nicer things about [herself]".[237] For example, "Joni" (2025)—a song about being resilient and achieving perfection amid the difficulties of life—was written from the perspective of Canadian musician Joni Mitchell.[238][239] SZA's other muses include singer-songwriter Frank Ocean and rapper Future.[237]

SZA's writing style, as noted by Mesfin Fekadu in a review for The Hollywood Reporter, often takes a vulnerable, confessional, and reflective tone.[240] Thematically, her works often explore themes of heartbreak, nostalgia, abandonment,[241][242][243] as well as issues related to body image, self-worth, and insecurity.[244][245][246] Sydney Gore of Alternative Press writes that "whereas hypersexuality gives some people the ick, SZA's unfiltered canon of raw feelings seemingly makes others squirm because the level of vulnerability she exudes is too painfully real."[216] As her career evolved past Ctrl, SZA's writing has become more aggressive, unafraid to show her competitiveness and "not a nice girl" attitude.[247]

Many critics have also spoken about her songwriting's relatability—mainly due to its exploration of insecurity—to other Black women. Billboard's Kyle Denis writes that her "brand of self-deprecation" reflects many Black women's constantly experiencing shame from facing misogynoir in their pursuits of romance.[248] Elle journalist DeAsia Paige argues that SZA encourages other anxious Black women to embrace their insecurities—and defy expectations of being independent women—"in a world that relentlessly picks them apart" as a result of their race.[249] When SZA spoke about how Drew Barrymore inspired her eponymous song, she said that she grew up not seeing herself represented enough in media like television series.[230]

Several of SZA's works are the result of improvisation. Because she writes to express whatever comes to her mind, she tends to freestyle and produce stream-of-consciousness songs.[235] In an interview for Variety, she recounts that she "never [has] topics" before starting a track.[200] Her freestyles are part of what SZA calls "palate cleanser" moments during recording. In them, she would quickly write songs in between her more serious projects, as a way to refresh her mind.[250] Some of her biggest songs, like "Kill Bill", were improvised. For this reason, she hates the majority of her commercially successful tracks: "I knew it would be something that pissed me off. It's always a song that I don't give a f–k about that's just super easy, not the sh-t that I put so much heart and energy into."[251]

### Collaborations and features

[edit]

SZA has worked with Kendrick Lamar, her most well-known collaborator, on several songs since 2014.

SZA is known for her work relationship with former TDE labelmate Kendrick Lamar.[252][253][254] Heran Mamo of Billboard writes that they are the "ultimate rapper-singer duo",[255] and HipHopDX's Andy Bustard comments that they are the best such duo of their time.[256] Dubbed by SZA as her "sensei",[237][252] Lamar has inspired her to take risks and experiment when making music. In a talk show interview, she commented: "He's a huge part of my fumbling and finding era because I'm trusting his expertise ... So I'm just like, 'Teach me, sensei, what you know.'"[252] The two released their first song together in 2014, which was "Babylon" from SZA's third EP Z.[257] He and SZA have three top 10 singles: "All the Stars" in 2018,[258] the US number-one "Luther" in 2024,[195] and "30 for 30" in 2025.[259]

Many other artists have worked with SZA multiple times. One of her earliest collaborators was rapper Mac Miller, who produced two songs from Z.[260] She first met him when she moved to Los Angeles in 2014.[5][260] Singer and rapper Lizzo, whom she befriended after a 2013 Red Bull tour,[261] once considered starting a rock band with her.[262] The two co-wrote "F2F" from SOS when the idea first came to them.[263] In 2023, Lizzo released a remix of "Special" featuring SZA,[158] and she was originally going to be a feature on the 2025 single "BMF" from Lana.[note 4] Apart from singers and rappers, there are select producers with whom SZA often works. Two of them, Carter Lang and ThankGod4Cody, have produced several of her songs from Ctrl, SOS, and Lana.[265][266]

Norma Rowe, SZA's deceased maternal grandmother, appears via sampled voice recordings on Ctrl and SOS.[267] Rowe affectionally calls her "Granny",[268] so she is credited as such on both albums.[269][270] Writing for Vulture, journalist Zach Schonfeld ranked Rowe as the fourth-best mother to appear on their child or grandchild's songs. He gave her a "wholesome index" of eight out of ten.[267]

### Fashion

[edit]

During an interview, SZA said she is less inspired by strictly music, and more inspired by creating art in general; she has looked up to people who were not "typical artists" including her "favorite gymnast, ice-skater, saxophonist, painter, or movie director", continuing to say she was particularly inspired by film director Spike Lee.[206] During an interview with W, SZA spoke on her style influences, saying a large amount of her style inspiration comes from movies, including Wes Anderson films, praising his use of "pantone color palette" and that she "would love to dress like a character from Moonrise Kingdom. Or perhaps Bill Murray in The Life Aquatic."[271] Along with her music, SZA's image has been compared to neo-soul artists Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu.[272] SZA's hair became a point of interest during the early stages of her career and she discussed it in interviews with Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.[204] During her performances, SZA tends to wear "free-flowing" clothes that are easy to move around in and wears pajamas or baggy clothing onstage.[273]

## Impact, public image, and views

[edit]

### Impact and legacy

[edit]

Many critics and musicians credit SZA with significantly influencing the sound of contemporary R&B.[232][274][275] Singer Baby Rose described SZA as "a radical light", while NME called her one of the most influential voices in contemporary music, stating that few artists have shaped the sound of modern R&B as much as SZA.[274] Vogue Australia's Liam Freeman concluded that "it's hard to imagine what an R&B playlist would sound like without her now".[276] Reviewing for Variety, Jem Aswad described SZA as "warm, witty and charismatic" and thought that her speaking voice can be as "honeying as the one she pours lavishly into her music".[200] SZA explained that her experience of exclusion in school while growing up motivated her to prioritize creating an inclusive environment for both herself and her fans.[277] Several critics have noted that SZA has cultivated a "girl next door" persona through her music,[278][279] and she has been dubbed the girl next door of R&B by several critics.[147][280]

Billboard recognized SZA as the second-greatest pop star of 2023 and ranked her at the top of the R&B/Hip-Hop Artist chart,[281] while in a 2023 Rolling Stone listicle, she is ranked as the 180th best singer of all time.[232] Her albums, Ctrl (2017) and SOS (2022), were ranked at No. 472 and No. 351, respectively, on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[282][283] Many retrospectives have credited Ctrl with influencing the sound of contemporary R&B.[284] In 2023, Sophie Williams of NME highlighted the album's lasting influence, noting that even six years after its release, Ctrl's impact continues to shape a "new generation of young, bright artists".[274] The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's journalist Al Newstead thought that the album redefined genre boundaries through combining classic R&B and neo soul traditions with modern sounds.[285] Many critics argue that Ctrl propelled SZA to mainstream pop stardom.[286][287][288]

### Views and philanthropy

[edit]

Many of SZA's unreleased songs have been leaked online, which she has openly criticized, stating, "When people leak my songs, they ruin them".[289] She feels that when a song is leaked, it no longer belongs to her but to the public, describing it as "something unfinished that you decided was ready to be shared".[290] In December 2018, SZA faced her first major leak when a nine-track unreleased album titled Comethru was distributed through a label called Scissor. On the album, SZA was credited as "Sister Solana", while Kendrick Lamar made a guest appearance under the name "King Kenny".[291] In January 2024, SZA warned that she may pursue legal action against those who release her music without permission, stating that she promised to hold them accountable as much as the law allows.[292] In March 2024, SZA addressed a fan on Twitter named Janessa who leaked unreleased images and audio, and later deleted and deactivated her accounts before RCA could take action.[293][294] SZA's manager, Punch, noted that leaks frequently result in project delays or complete cancellations.[295]

SZA is also known for her philanthropic efforts and supports a number of causes, including social and environmental justice as well as Palestinian rights.[277][296] Following Hurricane Harvey in 2017, SZA invited fans to spend time with her after Ctrl the Tour in exchange for donating essential items such as non-perishable food, diapers, gloves, masks, trash bags, and baby food.[297] In 2019, a fan of SZA diagnosed with lupus, sickle cell disease, and Crohn's disease shared on social media that the artist had contributed financially toward her chemotherapy treatments and used her platform to help find a kidney donor.[298] That same year, SZA launched a merchandise line called Ctrl Fishing Company, which included apparel featuring phrases such as "Puck Flastic" and "Sustainability Gang", as well as sea animals like blue whales and seahorses.[299] In 2021, SZA partnered with tea brand Tazo and American Forests to address environmental racism—disproportionate environmental harm affecting Black and brown communities. The corps comprised 25 locally hired fellows trained in climate justice advocacy, tree planting, and maintenance.[277][300] During the SOS Tour concert in Australia on April 16, 2024, she expressed her support for Palestine by holding the country's flag and calling out, "Free Palestine".[296]

SZA has been vocal in her criticism of the 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump. In 2016, during that year's presidential election, she condemned Trump supporters, stating that they endorse "bigotry, lying, and xenophobia" and that "[people] are dying from the stereotypes he perpetuates." That same year, she also criticized the hypocrisy in public perception, stating that "we have Trump removing Muslims from conferences [and] spewing venomous bigotry [...] yet Beyoncé being positive is scary?"[301]

## Personal life

[edit]

SZA has been candid about her struggles with mental health, describing the music industry as "one of the most stressful, psychosis-inducing industries".[236] She became depressed and developed suicidal thoughts after the sudden deaths of three ex-boyfriends in quick succession. She found solace through prayer and music, which helped her work toward self-acceptance.[9] Her best friend Mac Miller's accidental lethal overdose in 2018 and grandmother's death in 2020 further pushed her into suicidal thoughts and demotivated her from making music.[8][268]

Due to her upbringing, SZA has practiced several religious beliefs throughout her life. She believes in a "higher power or presence [...] that's running and moving the world like a well-oiled machine," regardless of religion. She has practiced and identified with Christianity,[66] and she considers herself Muslim.[10] Apart from Abrahamic faiths, she incorporates Hinduism in her personal belief system. In 2020, she hosted an online meditation session with Lizzo on Instagram Live, where SZA played a Tibetan singing bowl.[302] SZA went to a silent retreat in India in 2025, refraining from social media use for over a week and practicing samyama all the while.[303] To maintain her wellness, SZA also does yoga.[304]

SZA is known for keeping her dating life private.[305] Her known former partners include Canadian rapper and singer Drake, whom she dated in 2009.[306] Another is an unnamed fashion designer, whom she dated for eleven years and was her ex-fiancé for five.[307] She attributes the beginning of her career in part to him, who helped finance her everyday needs; she described her relationship with him as codependent. The two broke off around 2017, sending SZA in a catastrophizing state because he was a "rock in [her] life" and "nobody understood [her] the way he did". Her 2023 single "Nobody Gets Me" was written about him, as were many other songs from SOS.[305]

## Discography

[edit]

Main articles: SZA discography and List of songs recorded by SZA

* Ctrl (2017)
* SOS (2022; reissued in 2024 as Lana)

## Filmography

[edit]

* One of Them Days (2025)

## Tours

[edit]

Headlining

* Ctrl the Tour (2017–2018)
* SOS Tour (2023–2024)

Co-headlining

* The Championship Tour (with Top Dawg Entertainment artists) (2018)
* Grand National Tour (with Kendrick Lamar) (2025)

Supporting

* Coldplay – Ghost Stories Tour (2014)
* Jhené Aiko – Enter the Void Tour (2014)
* Jessie J – Sweet Talker Tour (2015)
* Bryson Tiller – Set It Off Tour (2017)

## Achievements

[edit]

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by SZA

In her career, SZA has received five Grammy Awards,[308] a Golden Globe nomination,[309] and an Academy Award nomination.[310] She has earned one American Music Award,[311] six Billboard Music Awards,[312] four MTV Video Music Awards,[313][314][315][316] and six BET Awards.[312] She received the "Rulebreaker Award" and "Women of the Year" at the Billboard Women in Music event in 2019 and 2023, respectively.[317] SZA has also won the Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist in 2017.[318]

In September 2022, SZA was included as one of the rising stars on the Time 100 Next List.[319] At the 2022 Grammy Awards, SZA won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Doja Cat for their collaboration "Kiss Me More".[320] In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked SZA at number 180 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.[321] At the 2025 Grammy Awards, SZA won Best R&B Song for her single "Saturn".[322]

## References

[edit]

### Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Cited to multiple sources: "Drew Barrymore",[76] "Love Galore",[76] "The Weekend",[76] "Broken Clocks",[76] and "Garden (Say It Like Dat)".[76]
2. ^ "TwoAM" was initially released unofficially in 2016 as a standalone single.[137][138]
3. ^ "Jodie" is a song from Ctrl's deluxe edition, produced by rapper Tyler, the Creator.[210] It leaked sometime around 2021, and SZA referred to it as "Jodie Foster" then.[211]
4. ^ "BMF" was formerly known as "Boy from South Detroit",[164] and initial reports about Lizzo's appearance used that title.[264]

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[edit]

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285. ^ Newstead, Al (December 13, 2022). "SZA: Is SOS worth the wait or too much of a good thing?". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
286. ^ McCormick, Neil (December 9, 2022). "Sam Ryder is no one-hit wonder, SZA channels Princess Diana – the week's best albums". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on December 17, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
287. ^ Haile, Nardos (December 29, 2023). "Why SZA is the true artist of the year". Salon. Archived from the original on February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
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289. ^ Darville, Jordan (November 29, 2023). "SZA on leaks: "When people leak my songs, they ruin them"". The Fader. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
290. ^ Turner-Williams, Jaelani (November 29, 2023). "SZA Says People 'Ruin' Her Songs When They Leak Them: 'Yo..." Complex. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
291. ^ Bloom, Madison; Madison Bloom, Evan Minsker (December 21, 2018). "SZA Addresses Album That Leaked on Spotify, Apple Music". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 30, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
292. ^ Corrine, Amber (January 8, 2024). "SZA Threatens To Take Legal Action Against 'Thieves' Who Leaked Her Music". Vibe. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
293. ^ Aswad, Jem (March 27, 2024). "SZA to Release Leaked Songs as Deluxe Edition of 'SOS,' Will Remake Delayed 'Lana' LP 'From Scratch'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 19, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
294. ^ Blake, Cole (March 27, 2024). "SZA Puts Lana Leaker On Blast, Fans Troll Her For Going After Someone With Only 4 Likes". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on February 14, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
295. ^ Trapp, Malcolm (January 7, 2024). "SZA Issues Fiery Response To Music Being Leaked: "You Are a F**king Thief"". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on December 31, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
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297. ^ Muhammad, Latifah (October 5, 2017). "SZA Has Been Using Her 'Ctrl' Tour To Collect Necessities For Hurricane Victims". Vibe. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
298. ^ Reese, Alexis (August 30, 2019). "SZA Applauded For Covering Medical Expenses For Fan Battling Lupus". Vibe. Archived from the original on December 20, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
299. ^ Halabian, Layla (August 14, 2018). "SZA is trying to save the ocean with her new clothing line". The Fader. Archived from the original on May 27, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
300. ^ Gonzales, Erica (February 17, 2021). "SZA on TAZO Tree Corps, New Music, and Blackpink". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on January 15, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
301. ^ Trapp, Malcolm (July 31, 2024). "SZA Tells Fans To Vote Or They 'Can't Complain' About The Presidential Election Results". Rap-Up. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
302. ^ Richards, Will (April 24, 2020). "Watch Lizzo and SZA host meditation class on Instagram Live". NME. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
303. ^ Sadler, Armon (February 6, 2025). "SZA Shares Lessons From "Silent Retreat" In India With Her Mother". VIBE.com. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
304. ^ "SZA's Moved On to Bigger, Better Things Since That Grammys Snub (and You Should Too)". Cosmopolitan. January 5, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
305. ^ a b Aizin, Rebecca (February 5, 2024). "SZA's Dating History: From Drake to Her Former Fiancé". People. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
306. ^ "SZA Reflects on 'Young' and Casual Fling with Drake in 2009: 'It Wasn't Hot and Heavy or Anything'". People. February 4, 2025. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
307. ^ "What's Behind SZA's Biggest Year Yet? Work, Wonder and 'Weird Shit'". The Rolling Stone. October 3, 2023. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
308. ^ Anderson, Jason (February 7, 2025). "Who will perform with Kendrick Lamar during Super Bowl halftime show?". USA Today. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
309. ^ Yoo, Noah; Noah Yoo, Jazz Monroe (December 6, 2018). "Golden Globes 2019 Nominations: Kendrick, SZA, Donald Glover, Lady Gaga, More". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
310. ^ Yoo, Noah (January 22, 2019). "Oscars 2019: Kendrick, SZA, and Lady Gaga Nominated for Best Original Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
311. ^ Atkinson, Katie (November 22, 2021). "Here Are All the 2021 American Music Awards Winners". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
312. ^ a b Grein, Paul (July 30, 2024). "Babyface, SZA to Receive Special Honors at 2024 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
313. ^ Atkinson, Katie (August 21, 2018). "MTV VMAs 2018 Complete Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
314. ^ Hailu, Selome (September 12, 2021). "2021 MTV Video Music Awards: The Complete Winners List". Variety. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
315. ^ Minsker, Evan (September 12, 2023). "MTV VMAs 2023: See the Full Winners List". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
316. ^ Atkinson, Katie (September 12, 2024). "Here's the Full List of 2024 MTV VMAs Winners". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
317. ^ Aniftos, Rania (February 10, 2023). "SZA Is Billboard's 2023 Woman of the Year". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
318. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (November 26, 2017). "BET Soul Train Awards: Bruno Mars Tops With 5 Wins". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
319. ^ Porter, Sierra (September 28, 2022). "SZA Graces the Cover of TIME100 Next List". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
320. ^ "Doja Cat & SZA Win GRAMMY For Best Pop Duo/Group Performance | 2022 GRAMMYs". www.grammy.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
321. ^ "The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time". Rolling Stone. January 1, 2023. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
322. ^ Corrine, Amber (February 3, 2025). "Chris Brown, SZA, Lucky Daye Score Big Wins In R&B Categories At 67th Annual Grammys". Vibe. Retrieved February 3, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to SZA (singer) at Wikimedia Commons
* SZA at AllMusic

* v
* t
* e

SZA

* Discography
* Awards and nominations
* Songs

Studio albums|

* Ctrl (2017)
* SOS (2022)

Reissues|

* Lana (2024)

EPs|

* See.SZA.Run (2012)
* S (2013)
* Z (2014)

Soundtrack albums|

* Black Panther: The Album (2018)

Concert tours|

* Ctrl the Tour
* The Championship Tour
* SOS Tour
* Grand National Tour

Related articles|

* Top Dawg Entertainment (discography)
* Carter Lang

* Category

* v
* t
* e

SZA songs

* Discography
* Songs

Ctrl|

* "Love Galore"
* "Drew Barrymore"
* "The Weekend"
* "Garden (Say It like Dat)"
* "Broken Clocks"

SOS|

* "Kill Bill"
* "Low"
* "Blind"
* "Snooze"
* "Smoking on My Ex Pack"
* "Ghost in the Machine"
* "F2F"
* "Nobody Gets Me"
* "Special"
* "Shirt"
* "Open Arms"
* "I Hate U"
* "Good Days"
* "PSA"

Lana|

* "30 for 30"
* "Diamond Boy (DTM)"
* "BMF"
* "Scorsese Baby Daddy"
* "Crybaby"
* "Kitchen"
* "Drive"
* "Saturn"

| Extended|

* "Joni"
* "Take You Down"

|

Soundtrack songs|

* "All the Stars"
* "Power Is Power"
* "The Other Side"

Standalone singles|

* "TwoAM"
* "Hit Different"

Other collaborations|

| 2010s|

* "Easy Bake"
* "Consideration"
* "What Lovers Do"
* "Homemade Dynamite" (remix)
* "I Do"
* "Just Us"

|

2020s|

* "Kiss Me More"
* "No Love"
* "Persuasive" (remix)
* "Beautiful"
* "Special" (remix)
* "Telekinesis"
* "Slime You Out"
* "Rich Baby Daddy"
* "Never Lose Me" (remix)
* "Luther"

Leaked songs|

* "Die for You" (remix)
* "Calling My Phone" (verse)

* Category

Awards for SZA

* v
* t
* e

American Music Award for Collaboration of the Year

* Jack Ü and Justin Bieber (2015)
* Fifth Harmony and Ty Dolla Sign (2016)
* Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber (2017)
* Camila Cabello and Young Thug (2018)
* Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello (2019)
* Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber (2020)
* Doja Cat and SZA (2021)
* Elton John and Dua Lipa (2022)

* v
* t
* e

Brit Award for International Artist

International Artist

* Kid Creole and the Coconuts (1983)
* Michael Jackson (1984)
* Prince and The Revolution (1985)

International Solo Artist

* Bruce Springsteen (1986)
* Paul Simon (1987)
* Michael Jackson (1988)
* Neneh Cherry (1990)
* Prince (1992)
* Prince (1993)

International Artist

* Billie Eilish (2022)
* Beyoncé (2023)
* SZA (2024)
* Chappell Roan (2025)

* v
* t
* e

BET Award for Album of the Year

* Lemonade – Beyoncé (2017)
* DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar (2018)
* Invasion of Privacy – Cardi B (2019)
* Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial – Roddy Ricch (2020)
* Heaux Tales – Jazmine Sullivan (2021)
* An Evening with Silk Sonic – Silk Sonic (2022)
* Renaissance – Beyoncé / SOS – SZA (2023)
* Michael – Killer Mike (2024)

* v
* t
* e

BET Award for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

* Mary J. Blige (2001)
* India Arie (2002)
* India Arie (2003)
* Beyoncé (2004)
* Alicia Keys (2005)
* Mary J. Blige (2006)
* Beyoncé (2007)
* Alicia Keys (2008)
* Beyoncé (2009)
* Alicia Keys (2010)
* Rihanna (2011)
* Beyoncé (2012)
* Rihanna (2013)
* Beyoncé (2014)
* Beyoncé (2015)
* Beyoncé (2016)
* Beyoncé (2017)
* Beyoncé (2018)
* Beyoncé (2019)
* Lizzo (2020)
* H.E.R. (2021)
* Jazmine Sullivan (2022)
* SZA (2023)
* SZA (2024)

* v
* t
* e

BET Award for Best New Artist

* Nelly (2001)
* Alicia Keys (2002)
* 50 Cent (2003)
* Kanye West (2004)
* John Legend (2005)
* Chris Brown (2006)
* Jennifer Hudson (2007)
* The-Dream (2008)
* Keri Hilson (2009)
* Nicki Minaj (2010)
* Wiz Khalifa (2011)
* Big Sean (2012)
* Kendrick Lamar (2013)
* August Alsina (2014)
* Sam Smith (2015)
* Bryson Tiller (2016)
* Chance the Rapper (2017)
* SZA (2018)
* Lil Baby (2019)
* Roddy Ricch (2020)
* Giveon (2021)
* Latto (2022)
* Coco Jones (2023)
* Tyla (2024)

* v
* t
* e

BET Award for Video of the Year

2000s|

* "Ms. Jackson" – OutKast (2001)
* "Pass the Courvoisier, Part II" – Busta Rhymes (2002)
* "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" – Erykah Badu (2003)
* "Hey Ya!" – OutKast (2004)
* "Jesus Walks" – Kanye West (2005)
* "Be Without You" – Mary J. Blige / "Gold Digger" – Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx (2006)
* "Irreplaceable" – Beyoncé (2007)
* "International Players Anthem (I Choose You)" – UGK (2008)
* "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" – Beyoncé (2009)

2010s|

* "Video Phone" – Beyoncé featuring Lady Gaga (2010)
* "Look at Me Now" – Chris Brown (2011)
* "Otis" – Jay-Z and Kanye West featuring Otis Redding (2012)
* "Started from the Bottom" – Drake (2013)
* "Happy" – Pharrell Williams (2014)
* "7/11" – Beyoncé (2015)
* "Formation" – Beyoncé (2016)
* "Sorry" – Beyoncé / "24K Magic" – Bruno Mars (2017)
* "God's Plan" – Drake (2018)
* "This Is America" – Childish Gambino (2019)

2020s|

* "Higher" – DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend (2020)
* "WAP" – Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion (2021)
* "Family Ties" – Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar / "Smokin out the Window" – Silk Sonic (2022)
* "Kill Bill" – SZA (2023)
* "On My Mama" – Victoria Monét (2024)

* v
* t
* e

BET Her Award

* Anthony Hamilton (2006)
* Gerald Levert (2007)
* Raheem DeVaughn (2008)
* Jazmine Sullivan (2009)
* Monica (2010)
* Marsha Ambrosius (2011)
* Common (2012)
* Tamar Braxton (2013)
* Jhené Aiko (2014)
* The Weeknd (2015)
* Beyoncé (2016)
* Solange (2017)
* Mary J. Blige (2018)
* H.E.R. (2019)
* Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, Wizkid and Saint Jhn (2020)
* SZA (2021)
* Mary J. Blige (2022)
* Beyoncé (2023)
* Victoria Monét (2024)

* v
* t
* e

Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

2010s|

* "Body and Soul" – Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse (2011)
* "Somebody That I Used to Know" – Gotye featuring Kimbra (2012)
* "Get Lucky" – Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers (2013)
* "Say Something" – A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera (2014)
* "Uptown Funk" – Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars (2015)
* "Stressed Out" – Twenty One Pilots (2016)
* "Feel It Still" – Portugal. The Man (2017)
* "Shallow" – Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (2018)
* "Old Town Road" – Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus (2019)

2020s|

* "Rain on Me" – Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande (2020)
* "Kiss Me More" – Doja Cat featuring SZA (2021)
* "Unholy" – Sam Smith and Kim Petras (2022)
* "Ghost in the Machine" – SZA featuring Phoebe Bridgers (2023)
* "Die with a Smile" – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars (2024)

* v
* t
* e

Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album

2010s|

* Channel Orange – Frank Ocean (2012)
* Unapologetic – Rihanna (2013)
* Girl – Pharrell Williams (2014)
* Beauty Behind the Madness – The Weeknd (2015)
* Lemonade – Beyoncé (2016)
* Starboy – The Weeknd (2017)
* Everything Is Love – The Carters (2018)
* Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) – Lizzo (2019)

2020s|

* It Is What It Is – Thundercat (2020)
* Table for Two – Lucky Daye (2021)
* Gemini Rights – Steve Lacy (2022)
* SOS – SZA (2023)
* So Glad to Know You – AverySunshine / Why Lawd? – NxWorries (Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge) (2024)

* v
* t
* e

Grammy Award for Best R&B Song

1960s|

* "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" – Otis Redding & Steve Cropper (songwriters) (1968)
* "Color Him Father" – Richard Lewis Spencer (songwriter) (1969)

1970s|

* "Patches" – Ronald Dunbar & General Johnson (songwriters) (1970)
* "Ain't No Sunshine" – Bill Withers (songwriter) (1971)
* "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" – Barrett Strong & Norman Whitfield (songwriters) (1972)
* "Superstition" – Stevie Wonder (songwriter) (1973)
* "Living for the City" – Stevie Wonder (songwriter) (1974)
* "Where Is the Love" – Harry Wayne Casey, Willie Clarke, Richard Finch & Betty Wright (songwriters) (1975)
* "Lowdown" – Boz Scaggs & David Paich (songwriters) (1976)
* "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" – Leo Sayer & Vini Poncia (songwriters) (1977)
* "Last Dance" – Paul Jabara (songwriter) (1978)
* "After the Love Has Gone" – David Foster, Jay Graydon & Bill Champlin (songwriters) (1979)

1980s|

* "Never Knew Love Like This Before" – Reggie Lucas & James Mtume (songwriters) (1980)
* "Just the Two of Us" – Bill Withers, William Salter & Ralph MacDonald (songwriters) (1981)
* "Turn Your Love Around" – Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather & Bill Champlin (songwriters) (1982)
* "Billie Jean" – Michael Jackson (songwriter) (1983)
* "I Feel for You" – Prince (songwriter) (1984)
* "Freeway of Love" – Jeffrey E. Cohen & Narada Michael Walden (songwriters) (1985)
* "Sweet Love" – Anita Baker, Louis A. Johnson & Gary Bias (songwriters) (1986)
* "Lean on Me" – Bill Withers (songwriter) (1987)
* "Giving You the Best That I Got" – Anita Baker, Randy Holland & Skip Scarborough (songwriters) (1988)
* "If You Don't Know Me by Now" – Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (songwriters) (1989)

1990s|

* "U Can't Touch This" – MC Hammer, Rick James & Alonzo Miller (songwriters) (1990)
* "Power of Love/Love Power" – Marcus Miller, Luther Vandross & Teddy Vann (songwriters) (1991)
* "End of the Road" – Babyface, L.A. Reid & Daryl Simmons (songwriters) (1992)
* "That's the Way Love Goes" – Janet Jackson,  Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (songwriters) (1993)
* "I'll Make Love to You" – Babyface (songwriter) (1994)
* "For Your Love" – Stevie Wonder (songwriter) (1995)
* "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" – Babyface (songwriter) (1996)
* "I Believe I Can Fly" – R. Kelly (songwriter) (1997)
* "Doo Wop (That Thing)" – Lauryn Hill (songwriter) (1998)
* "No Scrubs" – Kandi Burruss, Kevin Briggs & Tameka Cottle (songwriters) (1999)

2000s|

* "Say My Name" – Beyoncé, Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, LeToya Luckett, LaTavia Roberson & Kelly Rowland (songwriters) (2000)
* "Fallin'" – Alicia Keys (songwriter) (2001)
* "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" – Erykah Badu, Glenn Standridge, James Poyser, Madukwu Chinwah, Raphael Saadiq, Lonnie Lynn & Robert Ozuna (songwriters) (2002)
* "Crazy in Love" – Beyoncé, Shawn Carter & Rich Harrison (songwriters) (2003)
* "You Don't Know My Name" – Alicia Keys, Harold Lilly & Kanye West (songwriters) (2004)
* "We Belong Together" – Mariah Carey, Johntá Austin, Manuel Seal Jr. & Jermaine Dupri (songwriters) (2005)
* "Be Without You" – Bryan-Michael Cox, Jason Perry, Johntá Austin & Mary J. Blige (songwriters) (2006)
* "No One" – Alicia Keys, George M. Harry & Kerry "Krucial" Brothers (songwriters) (2007)
* "Miss Independent" – Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen & Ne-Yo (songwriters) (2008)
* "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" – Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart (songwriters) (2009)

2010s|

* "Shine" – John Legend (songwriter) (2010)
* "Fool for You" – CeeLo Green, Melanie Fiona & Jack Splash (songwriters) (2011)
* "Adorn" – Miguel Pimentel (songwriter) (2012)
* "Pusher Love Girl" – James Fauntleroy, Jerome Harmon, Timothy Mosley & Justin Timberlake (songwriters) (2013)
* "Drunk in Love" – Shawn Carter, Rasool Diaz, Noel Fisher, Jerome Harmon, Beyoncé Knowles, Timothy Mosley, Andre Eric Proctor & Brian Soko (songwriters) (2014)
* "Really Love" – D'Angelo, Gina Figueroa & Kendra Foster (songwriters) (2015)
* "Lake by the Ocean" – Hod David & Musze (songwriters) (2016)
* "That's What I Like" – Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip (songwriters) (2017)
* "Boo'd Up" – Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai & Dijon McFarlane (songwriters) (2018)
* "Say So" – PJ Morton (songwriter) (2019)

2020s|

* "Better Than I Imagined" – Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello & Gabriella Wilson (songwriters) (2020)
* "Leave the Door Open" – Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II & Bruno Mars (songwriters) (2021)
* "Cuff It" – Denisia "Blu June" Andrews, Beyoncé, Brittany "Chi" Coney, Terius "The-Dream" Gesteelde-Diamant, Morten Ristorp, Nile Rodgers & Raphael Saadiq (songwriters) (2022)
* "Snooze" – Kenny B. Edmonds, Blair Ferguson, Khris Riddick-Tynes, Solána Rowe & Leon Thomas III (songwriters) (2023)
* "Saturn" – Rob Bisel, Carter Lang, Solána Rowe, Jared Solomon & Scott Zhang (songwriters) (2024)

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Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Song in a Sci-Fi, Fantasy or Horror Film

2010s|

* "Just Like Fire" – Written by Pink, Max Martin, Shellback and Oscar Holter (2016)
* "How Does a Moment Last Forever" – Written by Alan Menken and Tim Rice (2017)
* "All the Stars" – Written by Kendrick Lamar, Top Dawg, SZA, Sounwave, and Al Shux (2018)

2020s|

* "Can't Catch Me Now" – Written by Dan Nigro and Olivia Rodrigo (2023)

Between 2019–2022 and 2024–present, the category is retired.

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MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration

2000s|

* Beyoncé and Shakira – "Beautiful Liar" (2007)
* No Award (2008)
* No Award (2009)

2010s|

* Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé – "Telephone" (2010)
* Katy Perry featuring Kanye West – E.T. (2011)
* No Award (2012)
* Pink featuring Nate Ruess – "Just Give Me a Reason" (2013)
* Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z – "Drunk in Love" (2014)
* Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar – "Bad Blood" (2015)
* Fifth Harmony featuring Ty Dolla Sign – "Work from Home" (2016)
* Zayn and Taylor Swift – "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" (2017)
* Jennifer Lopez featuring DJ Khaled and Cardi B – "Dinero" (2018)
* Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello – "Señorita" (2019)

2020s|

* Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande – "Rain on Me" (2020)
* Doja Cat featuring SZA – "Kiss Me More" (2021)
* Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow – "Industry Baby" (2022)
* Karol G and Shakira – "TQG" (2023)
* Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone – "Fortnight" (2024)

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MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video

1990s|

* En Vogue – "Free Your Mind" (1993)
* Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue – "Whatta Man" (1994)
* TLC – "Waterfalls" (1995)
* Fugees – "Killing Me Softly" (1996)
* Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112 – "I'll Be Missing You" (1997)
* Wyclef Jean featuring Refugee Allstars – "Gone till November" (1998)
* Lauryn Hill – "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (1999)

2000s|

* Destiny's Child – "Say My Name" (2000)
* Destiny's Child – "Survivor" (2001)
* Mary J. Blige – "No More Drama" (2002)
* Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z – "Crazy in Love" (2003)
* Alicia Keys – "If I Ain't Got You" (2004)
* Alicia Keys – "Karma" (2005)
* Beyoncé featuring Slim Thug and Bun B – "Check on It" (2006)

2010s|

* Normani featuring 6LACK – "Waves" (2019)

2020s|

* The Weeknd – "Blinding Lights" (2020)
* Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, and Silk Sonic – "Leave the Door Open" (2021)
* The Weeknd – "Out of Time" (2022)
* SZA – "Shirt" (2023)
* SZA – "Snooze" (2024)

Between 2007–2018, the category was retired.

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NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration

Duo or Group
(1979–2007)|

* The Jacksons (1979)
* The Commodores (1980)
* Kool & the Gang (1981)
* Gladys Knight & the Pips (1982)
* No Award (1983–1985)
* Atlantic Starr (1986)
* Gladys Knight & the Pips (1987)
* LeVert (1988)
* After 7 (1989)
* No Award (1990)
* The O'Jays (1991)
* Boyz II Men (1992)
* En Vogue (1993)
* No Award (1994)
* Boyz II Men (1995)
* Kirk Franklin (1996)
* Boyz II Men (1997)
* Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey (1998)
* Destiny's Child (1999)
* Destiny's Child (2000)
* Destiny's Child (2001)
* India Arie and Stevie Wonder (2002)
* Outkast (2003)
* Destiny's Child (2004)
* Destiny's Child (2005)
* The Cheetah Girls (2006)
* Eddie Levert and Gerald Levert (2007)

Duo, Group or
Collaboration
(2008–2019)|

* Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia (2008)
* Black Eyed Peas (2009)
* John Legend and The Roots (2010)
* Mary J. Blige and Drake (2011)
* Mary Mary (2012)
* Robin Thicke, T.I., and Pharrell (2013)
* Sam Smith and Mary J. Blige (2014)
* Empire Cast featuring Estelle and Jussie Smollett (2015)
* Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar (2016)
* Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna (2017)
* Kendrick Lamar and SZA (2018)
* Blue Ivy, Saint Jhn, Beyoncé, and Wizkid (2019)

Contemporary
(2020–present)|

* Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé (2020)
* Tobe Nwigwe featuring Fat Nwigwe (2021)
* Chris Brown featuring Wizkid (2022)
* Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay (2023)
* Wizkid featuring Brent Faiyaz (2024)

Traditional
(2020–present)|

* Chloe x Halle (2020)
* Silk Sonic (2021)
* Silk Sonic (2022)
* Ciara and Chris Brown (2023)
* Adam Blackstone and Fantasia (2024)

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NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist

1980s|

* Whitney Houston (1984)
* Vanessa Williams (1988)
* After 7 (1989)

1990s|

* Boyz II Men (1991)
* Arrested Development (1992)
* Shai (1993)
* Brandy (1995)
* Kenny Lattimore (1996)
* Erykah Badu (1997)
* Lauryn Hill (1998)
* Eve (1999)

2000s|

* Carl Thomas (2000)
* Alicia Keys (2001)
* Ashanti (2002)
* Ruben Studdard (2003)
* Kanye West (2004)
* Chris Brown (2005)
* Corinne Bailey Rae (2006)
* Jordin Sparks (2007)
* Jennifer Hudson (2008)
* Keri Hilson (2009)

2010s|

* Willow Smith (2010)
* Diggy Simmons (2011)
* Elle Varner (2012)
* K. Michelle (2013)
* 3 Winans Brothers (2014)
* Jussie Smollett (2015)
* Chance the Rapper (2016)
* SZA (2017)
* Ella Mai (2018)
* Lil Nas X (2019)

2020s|

* Doja Cat (2020)
* Saweetie (2021)
* Coco Jones (2022)
* Victoria Monét (2023)
* Doechii (2024)

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* France
* BnF data
* Czech Republic

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
* Grammy Awards

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