S.O.S.

SZA Grossed Over $30 Million On “S.O.S” Tour: Report

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SZA’s grip on the industry is unquestionable. Since the release of CTRL, she became a prominent and defining figure in the current state of R&B. However, the time between her debut studio album and December’s S.O.S left fans longing for new music while many of her detractors felt like she wouldn’t be able to replicate its success. Evidently, she blew past the expectations with S.O.S, which has broken records on the Billboard charts since its release and stayed atop the charts week after week.

In February, she embarked on her biggest tour to date. The S.O.S. tour found SZA and Omar Apollo heading across 17 cities, including two in Canada, as she sold out venue after venue. According to Billboard, she grossed $34.5M and sold 238,000 tickets throughout the venture, which began on Feb. 21st to March 22nd. Each night, SZA averaged about $1.9M and 12,812 tickets. It’s undoubtedly a long way from a few years ago when she performed in smaller, intimate venues, and certainly wasn’t raking in millions of dollars per night as she did this time around.

SZA Reaches New Heights

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MARCH 19: Singer SZA performs on stage during her ‘The SOS North American Tour’ at Rogers Arena on March 19, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)

Two of the biggest markets for SZA were in New York and Los Angeles, where she performed back-to-back nights in each city. In NYC, she reportedly brought in $4.7 million and 27,000 tickets for both nights while at Inglewood’s Kia Forum, she grossed $3.9 million with 25,000 tickets sold. By comparison, SZA only did a fraction of those numbers during her 2017 run in NYC. She grossed $45K through 1800 when she performed at the Brooklyn Steel. Ultimately, SZA’s profile continues to grow and she has the numbers to back it.

It really isn’t surprising to see SZA’s touring success these days. The S.O.S tour drew major celebrities who were spotted in attendance. A fan caught a rare glimpse of Frank Ocean in the crowd during one of the shows while Lori Harvey and Damson Idris showed up hand-in-hand to catch the St. Louis singer perform her new album. Overall, we hope to see SZA return to the road sooner rather than later. Clearly, she’s still in high demand out here. 

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SZA’s ‘SOS’ Crossed A Major Streaming Milestone On Spotify, Marking The Second Time For Her

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It hasn’t even been three months since SZA released SOS, and it’s already proven itself a commercial success.

The TDE singer’s long-awaited and critically acclaimed sophomore album debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200 chart and has spent at least nine weeks atop the charts following its December release. The album was also certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) within weeks of its release. Additionally, the project helped the “Snooze” singer break the record for the US’s largest streaming week for an R&B album.

Recently, the singer’s album reached a major milestone on streaming giant Spotify with nearly 3 billion streams. This would be her second album to do so following her 2017 debut project, Ctrl.

“‘SOS’ by @SZA has reached 3 billion streams on Spotify. It’s her second album to achieve this,” Pop Crave reports.

https:/ twitter.com/PopCrave/status/1629681707203829760?s=20

To help promote the album (not that it’s necessary at this point), the singer kicked off her tour earlier this month, kicking off at The Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Joining her on the road as support is Grammy-nominated singer Omar Apollo. The tour is expected to go on until the end of March, with its final show at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

Omar Apollo is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

SZA Explained Why Knew She’d Be ‘Pissed Off’ By The Success Of ‘Kill Bill’

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SZA has been named Billboard‘s Woman Of The Year for 2023. In celebration, she did an interview with the publication on the heels of her sophomore SOS album dropping in December.

Not only did SZA reveal that there’s a deluxe version on the way, but she also opened up about exactly how she feels about her mega hit, “Kill Bill.” The song reached No. 2 on the charts, making it her biggest song to date.

“I knew it would be something that pissed me off,” she said. “It’s always a song that I don’t give a f*ck about that’s just super easy, not the sh*t that I put so much heart and energy into. ‘Kill Bill’ was super easy — one take, one night.”

The vengeful-but-fun video drew a significant amount of attention, too, as it pulled inspiration from the Tarantino flick and had a cameo from Vivica A. Fox.

Still, SZA also noted that she did want to change things up from any expectations that fans might have had after her 2017 debut, Ctrl, saying, “I know people wanted ‘Broken Clocks,’ ‘Love Galore,’ and all that other sh*t again, but I departed from that by choice. Not because I couldn’t do that again; it was just because I wanted to grow. I wanted to do something completely different.”

It’s clear that the pivot has worked out in her favor immensely.

Latto Rips Through SZA’s “Smoking On My Ex Pack” On New Freestyle

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Latto put her own spin on a highlight off of SZA’s S.O.S. for her latest freestyle.

While everyone immediately claimed “Kill Bill” as the best song off of S.O.S., “Smokin On My Ex Pack” was another highlight that showcased SZA in a new light. The record, produced by Jay Versace, found SZA coming through with bars over Roc-A-Fella-esque production.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 06: Latto performs onstage at Little Caesars Arena on October 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott Legato/WireImage)

The ATL rapper surprised fans on Thursday night when she unveiled her new freestyle over “Smoking On My Ex Pack.” The rapper expertly navigates through the Jay Versace-produced banger as she details grievances with her ex, social media, and the rap game at large. It’s another solid offering from Latto that showcases that she hasn’t lost her roots as a lyricist, despite her immense commercial success.

Latto released her last studio album, 777 last year but she hasn’t held back from dropping new music. She released the single “PUSSY” in response to the overturning of Roe V. Wade. Then, she linked up with Bantu, Maroon 5 and Yung Bleu on the “One Light” remix. However, the singles she dropped in late 2022 indicated that she might be in album mode. She unleashed “FTCU” ft. GloRilla and the late Gangsta Boo before unveiling, “Another Nasty Song.”

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 01: Latto performs attends the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on October 01, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/2021 BET Hip Hop Awards/Getty Images)

We’ll keep you posted on what Latto might have up her sleeve next. Check out her remix of SZA’s “Smoking On My Ex Pack” below. 

Quotable Lyrics
Sundress with no panties on but I wear the pants
I been showing my ass without a Onlyfans
You know, the rumors come with privacy
Hmm, more money, more anxiety

SZA’s New Video For ‘Kill Bill’ Is As Bloody As You’d Expect

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SZA‘s new album S.O.S., the long-awaited follow-up to the critically-acclaimed Ctrl, has been No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for four weeks now. The track with the most success has been the mischievous, relentlessly catchy “Kill Bill,” which topped the charts as well. She teased a video for it at the end of December, and now it’s finally out.

Considering the cinematic, violent nature of the song (“I might kill my ex, I still love him though / Rather be in jail than alone,” she sings on the chorus), the video had to be intense. And it is. It kicks off with a round of many gunshots, not shot by SZA, though. However, she makes it out alive, and later procures a sword for a tumultuous sword fight. Inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, the video has a cameo from Vivica A. Fox, who was in the iconic film.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly last month, she said, “I love Vivica A. Fox’s character. I love Lucy Liu’s character. I even love Bill because he’s super complex. I feel like he doesn’t understand why he did what he did. He’s void of emotion, but he loved The Bride so much that he couldn’t stand her to be with anyone else.”

Watch the “Kill Bill” video above.

SZA Chooses “Kill Bill” & “Nobody Gets Me” As First “S.O.S” Singles For Radio

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It’s been nearly a month since SZA blessed us with her new album, and it’s still in rotation. The latest from the TDE songstress emerged at the top of December following demands from fans. Although she frequently expressed her frustrations with her label and the music industry at large, the album’s outcome was certainly worth the wait.

After spending a third week atop the Billboard 200, her team reportedly chose the first two singles for radio. According to Hip-Hop N More, SZA’s “Nobody Gets Me” and the fan-favorite, “Kill Bill,” will be pushed to radio. The latter currently stands at the #1 spot on Spotify’s Global charts. Plus, she also hinted at a music video for the single.

2023 is evidently starting off on the right note for SZA and it appears that this momentum will continue throughout the year. SZA revealed plans to hit the road this February alongside Omar Apollo. However, the upcoming run will be particularly special for the CTRL singer since it’s her first arena tour. SZA’s heading across North America — including two dates in Canada — beginning in Columbus, Ohio. From there, she’ll head out to major cities like Chicago, NYC, ATL. Finally, she’ll close out the tour in Los Angeles.

Despite the anticipations surrounding the project and the success that followed its release, SZA had her doubts surrounding the project. She explained that she wasn’t sure if the public was going to embrace her growth and maturity as an artist.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: SZA attends the SNL after party at Dos Caminos Mexican restaurant on December 03, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 03: SZA attends the SNL after party at Dos Caminos Mexican restaurant on December 03, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images)

“It’s my first album in five years, so I’m ready to be a different person and step into this new part of my life,” she explained to PEOPLE. “Really exemplify who this character is and get to know myself better while everyone else gets to know me live at the same time.”

Regardless, SZA did her thing on S.O.S and we’re excited to hear what her live show will consist of.

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SZA Shows Off Her Booty As “S.O.S” Holds Onto #1 Spot For Three Weeks Straight

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SZA finally arrived with her second studio album, S.O.S in December. The singer didn’t disappoint, which clearly reflected on the charts. SZA’s new album currently holds the #1 spot for the third week in a row, bearing out plenty of holiday releases.

Shortly after selling 128,000 in her third week, SZA blessed the ‘Gram with new heat in the form of a thirst trap. The singer shared a short video of herself wearing a bikini bottom as she showed off her booty. From the looks of it, SZA is either on the set of a photo or video shoot so perhaps, we’ll catch this particular look in some new visuals.

“3 weeks at number one fully minding my business n not giving a fuck . Thank God,” she captioned the photo dump, including the thirst trap.

Of course, the picture had everyone talking, especially after she addressed plastic surgery rumors on her new album. As many speculated whether she went under the knife, she appeared to confirm the gossip.

“Talkin’ I’m off the bench like Brady, I’m pressin’ n***** like KD, it’s up,” she sings on the titular song. “Remind you of Dеlla Reese. So classic, that ass so fat, it look natural, it’s not”.

She also addressed the matter again on “Conceited” where she shrugged off everyone’s opinion about her body.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 09: SZA performs on the main stage during Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park on July 09, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

“I don’t like nobody, I don’t feel guilty about it/ I just got my body done, ain’t got no guilt about it/ I just heard your opinion, I could’ve did without it,” she sings.

2023 is evidently off to a great start for SZA but it will certainly only get better from here. The singer is set to launch the North American leg of her upcoming tour in February, beginning in Colombus, OH. From there, she’ll hit cities like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Toronto. Then, she’ll be closing things out in L.A. on March 22nd.

TDE Drops Music Video Teaser For SZA’s ‘Kill Bill’

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Following the long-awaited release of SZA’s second studio album S.O.S. earlier this month, her label is now teasing a music video for one of her hottest new songs.

Sharing visuals for “Kill Bill,” Top Dawg Entertainment gave fans a glimpse of what’s “coming soon.” Directed by Christian Breslauer, who worked on Nas-X” class=”text-word” target=”_blank” >Lil Nas X’s “Industry Baby,” the music video contains elements from the popular Quentin Tarantino film.

SZA flaunts her sword and motorcycle skills in the teaser, staying true to the song’s theme and lyrics. The song contains the infamous lines: “I might kill my ex, not the best idea / His new girlfriend’s next, how’d I get here? / I might kill my ex, I still love him though / Rather be in jail than alone.”

S.O.S. debuted on December 9 and featured a tracklist of 23 songs. The project contained features from Travis Scott, Phoebe Bridgers, Don Toliver, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who passed away in 2004.

READ MORE: SZA Earns First #1 Album With “S.O.S”

Several songs quickly caught fans’ attention, including “Kill Bill,” “Blind,” and “Ghost in the Machine.” 

After the album’s release, the St. Louis native announced her North American tour, which quickly sold out online. Stops on the 2023 tour will include New York City, Dallas, Inglewood, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA – APRIL 27: SZA performs onstage at SOMETHING IN THE WATER – Day 2 on April 27, 2019 in Virginia Beach City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Something in the Water)

Speaking with Rolling Stone earlier this month, the Ctrl singer shared that her upcoming performances will be an ode to her patient fans. 

“I’m really just excited to give people whatever they want. Because I feel I’ve been gone for so long and people have been kind enough to watch me perform the same set for fucking five years, and that is really annoying, and I get that, and the patience and the love that they’ve shown me the whole way,” SZA said, adding, “I just wanna give them the craziest experience they could ever have and play whatever they want.”

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TDE’s Punch Shouts Out Doubters & SZA Fans Who “Stayed Patient” For “S.O.S.” Album

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SZA dropped her second studio album S.O.S. earlier this month and is already enjoying the success of the highly-anticipated project. In addition to songs like “Kill Bill” and “Blind” going viral on social media, the album has also quickly climbed the charts, solidifying it as a solid follow-up to her Grammy-nominated 2017 album Ctrl.

Punch, president of Top Dawg Entertainment, recently took to his Twitter to acknowledge the album’s stats, admitting, “I never really focus on the numbers too much. Of course I pay attention to them, the quality of the art is always at the forefront for me. But these SOS numbers aren’t too shabby. Lol”

Showing gratitude to SZA’s fans who stayed patient while waiting for the album, Punch also gave a shout-out to the “doubters” in a follow-up tweet. 

The record exec continued, “Shout out to the real fans who stayed down and stayed patient. Shout to TDE and the doubters who doubted us. Love y’all.”

READ MORE: SZA Confirms Plastic Surgery Rumors On “SOS”

“A few of y’all n****s had a lot to say… lol. I won’t bring it up. I see you,” the seasoned rapper then posted.

While sitting down with Rolling Stone’s Music Now podcast, the St. Louis native opened up about feeling nervous about how S.O.S. would be perceived overall. 

“If n****s hate it, then great. I can never do music again. And I told my engineer, we’ll move to India and we’ll live on an ashram and we’ll take a vow of silence and that’s it,” she told the outlet earlier this month.

“And it is also really scary that it didn’t go that way because I’m like, now what do I do? And what does this actually mean and when do the tides turn?” SZA then shared. “When does everyone decide that they hate me again or that this sucks? And that’s unhealthy. That’s something I need to talk to my therapist about.”

Have you heard SZA’s latest project? Drop your favorite S.O.S. songs in the comments below.

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SZA Clarified Which Relationships Her Albums Are About Because The Internet Is Annoying

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No wonder why SZA waited so long to put out her new album — she deals with a lot of bullsh*t. She recently had to point out how many songs on S.O.S. aren’t sad so people would stop writing off the LP as “sad girl music.” Now, she’s explaining herself again because haters are criticizing the content of her lyrics.

On Twitter, the singer wrote, “Sos is me singing about relationships from 6 years ago . Ctrl was about relationships from high school n college . Reflection is a part of growth . Reflection is good .”

It’s unfortunately not a surprise that her ruminating on past relationships is receiving unwarranted criticism; female musicians are constantly attacked for writing about relationships, something men rarely or never have to deal with. Many (men) have accused her of being “toxic,” when really they should just be grateful that SZA was so vulnerable and transparent with the world on this record.

The good news is that S.O.S. is getting a loving reception from those who are actually her fans, despite her previous worry that they would hate it. “I never thought in a million years that people would like it,” she said on a recent podcast. “My dad’s visiting right now, with my mom. Everybody came down to make sure I didn’t lose my mind if the album went bad once it came out. And now we’re just hanging out, ’cause it didn’t go badly!”