SZA

Solana (Imani) Rowe, most commonly known as SZA, has been a popular American R&B singer-songwriter since her solo career debut in 2012.  

SZA’s albums, S, Z, and Ctrl shot her into fame. She was signed in 2012 to work with Top Dawg Entertainment as the only female artist with TDE.  She has become very successful throughout the years. Fans have been enticed by the distinct sound she gives off in her music.

Her debut release was her first EP, See.SZA.Run. The EP incorporates genres like soul, hip-hop, and minimalist R&B. The EP was met with critical acclaim for its lyrical content and music production. Critics have compared the album to the work of legends such as Frank Ocean, The Weekend, and Miguel. 

With the album being on Billboard 200 for 121 weeks at #115 as of October 10th, 2019, Ctrl is SZA’s best-performing album to date. Ctrl peaked on the charts at #3. The album has artist features from Travis Scott and Kendrick Lamaar, to Isaiah Rashad and James Fauntleroy. Ctrl captured fans’ attention with its musicality, but also it’s sheer authenticity, making it so relatable to listeners.

SZA integrates her real-life experiences deep into the very fibers of each note. Writing about the unrealistic expectations and ideals men have set for women in songs like Doves In The Wind (feat. Kendrick Lamar) and Garden (Say It Like Dat). In songs like 20 Something and Anything, she speaks to young girls, more so young black girls. 

In an interview with Breakfast Club, SZA mentions the album and making music. “When you turn down all the reverb and all the plugins and all the stacks…you’re left with just your voice. And your thoughts. And you kind of have to say something — you don’t have to say anything, but you have to mean it.” This quote represents the vulnerability this album is all about. She wanted Ctrl to be more personal and authentic than her previous EPs. 

She was born into a family who practiced mixed religion, her mom Christian, her father Muslim, she was raised Muslim. She has an older half-sister named Tiffany. After graduating from high school in 2008, she went to college to study marine biology. She ended up going to three different schools, settling at Delaware State University (DSU). Her stage name SZA came with influence from the rapper RZA. The letters “S”, “Z”, and “A” also come from the Supreme Alphabet. “S” for Solana, “Z” for Zig-Zag, and “A” for Allah.

Stream Ctrl below: