SZA

Kendrick Lamar Reunites With SZA On Multiple Stunning “GNX” Tracks

by

Kendrick Lamar mostly featured lesser-known and up-and-coming West Coast names on his surprise new album GNX, but there are also some stars on here beyond an impressive production roster. Roddy Ricch contributes to the track “dodger blue,” and the one and only SZA appears on two cuts off this new LP. “luther” sees the SOS singer and K.Dot get ethereal and wavy once more with a romantic cut backed by gentle guitars, gorgeous strings, and some other dreamy musical elements. “gloria,” on the other hand,” features the duo in a more soulful and dramatic bag, although there’s a similarly evoked sense of grandeur and beauty.

Of course, this isn’t the only time that these two linked up recently, as Kendrick Lamar and SZA interviewed each other for Harper’s BAZAAR earlier this year. They talked about a lot of things. Their emotions and tendencies as artistic creatives, the “true meaning” behind “Not Like Us,” insecurities, family, and a whole lot more emerged as compelling subjects. Turns out that this was more of a sign for more work on the way than we thought it was…

Read More: Adam22 Slams SZA For Calling Him A “Culture Vulture” After Kendrick Lamar Interview Criticism

Kendrick Lamar & SZA Stun On “luther”: Listen

Elsewhere, fans are reacting wildly to this new Kendrick Lamar album, all of its lyrical references, and its California-loving instrumentals. Not everyone’s a fan, but that’s literally what he raps about on a lot of songs on GNX, so we’re not surprised that he turned some folks off with his choices. There’s a lot to dive into when it comes to what the Compton lyricist addressed on here, his energy on these records, and how it relates to the massive year that he had before this. There is still more to find, and we’re sure these initial hours of listening will evolve into more developed conversations.

Meanwhile, SZA also has her new album Lana on the way, which fans are incredibly excited about. It was originally going to be a deluxe for SOS, but it looks like it took on a whole new life of its own. The question now is whether or not she will collaborate with Kendrick Lamar again soon or if we’ll have to wait for the next blue moon to hear their chemistry again.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Addresses Why The Black Hippy Album Never Released, On “GNX”

[via]

The post Kendrick Lamar Reunites With SZA On Multiple Stunning “GNX” Tracks appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Who Are The Features On Kendrick Lamar’s New Album, ‘GNX?’

by
kendrick lamar The Pop Out – Ken & Friends Presented by pgLang and Free Lunch
Getty Image

Kendrick Lamar shocked the world today, releasing his new album GNX without any advance warning. The album features the long-awaited release of “Squabble Up” and production from frequent Taylor Swift collaborator Jack Antonoff. However, it doesn’t list the guest artists, despite featuring some familiar voices like Kendrick’s former labelmate SZA. So, who are the features on Kendrick Lamar’s new album GNX?

The features include:

Regional Mexicano singer Deyra Barrera, and South Central/Compton rappers AzChike, Dody 6, Hitta J3, Siete, Wallie The Sensei, and Young Threat. Clearly, GNX is a hometown affair, with Kendrick sharing his spotlight with plenty of rising stars from Hub City. Many of the above names appeared during Kendrick’s Pop Out concert earlier this year, so it’s unsurprising to see him continuing to share his platform with the city.

The release of GNX caps an extremely successful 2024 for Kendrick, which unofficially kicked off with his industry-breaking feature verse on Future’s “Like That.” That song restarted Kendrick’s long-simmering feud with Drake, sparking a back-and-forth that culminated in Kendrick’s song “Not Like Us” becoming a massive hit and effectively putting Drake’s career in the dirt. K. Dot followed up his victory with the announcement of his upcoming performance at the Super Bowl, while “Not Like Us” and “Like That” were both nominated for Grammys.

GNX is out now. You can listen to it here.

TDE’s Annual Holiday Concert Returns For 2025 With Doechii, SZA, Schoolboy Q, And Surprise Guests

by
sza tde christmas
Getty Image

Top Dawg is for the kids. For the past 12ish years (give or take a pandemic shutdown), TDE, the South Los Angeles-based label that homes music from rap stars like Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q, R&B queen SZA, and breakout artist of 2024, Doechii, has held a holiday concert at the Nickerson Gardens housing project in Watts for the community. Top Dawg has announced the date for this year’s iteration (December 12), which will feature the above-mentioned artists, along with fellow TDE signees Isaiah Rashad, Jay Rock, Kal Banx, Ray Vaughn, SiR, and Ray Vaughn, as well as surprise guests.

In the past, that latter category has included stars like A$AP Ferg, Big Sean, Rihanna, and Travis Scott, as well as former TDE golden boy Kendrick Lamar. The best part about the concert isn’t that it’s basically free, though; it’s that the price of admission is an unwrapped toy, which will be distributed in Nickerson Gardens (where Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith grew up) the next day. So, if you want to see a great concert, all you have to do is something nice for the community! It’s a good deal!

In addition to the performances, the event also usually includes food trucks and other activities, while the next day will be Community Giveback day, with barbering services, family holiday photos, raffles, sports activities, and of course, the toy giveaway. There’s also a job fair with onsite employment opportunities. Top Dawg is for everybody.

You can find more information about the 11th annual TDE Christmas Concert + Toy Drive below.

TDE

SZA Is ‘So Mad’ She Underwent A BBL Surgery She ‘Didn’t Need,’ But Is ‘Grateful’ For The Procedure’s Results

by
SZA Glastonbury Festival 2024 (1024x437)
Getty Image

Many celebrities will tell you that life in the public eye isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Grammy-winning singer SZA would certainly agree, especially considering fame might have amplified insecurities around her body.

Throughout the “Saturn” singer’s chart-topping sophomore album, SOS, SZA confirmed rumors that she underwent a BBL (Brazilian butt lift) procedure. After the confession, she often joked about her protruding backside. But during a recent sit-down with British Vogue, SZA’s happiness seemingly wore off.

“I’m so mad I did that sh*t,” she said. “I gained all this weight from being immobile while recovering and trying to preserve the fat. It was just so stupid. But who gives a f*ck. You got a BBL, you realize you didn’t need that sh*t. It doesn’t matter.”

Despite her remarks, SZA does not regret the cosmetic procedure unlike her previous breast implants. Instead, she’s beholden to it, saying: “My booty look nice. And I’m grateful that it looks pretty much… I don’t know, sometimes natural. But I don’t even care. It’s something that I wanted. I’m enjoying it. I love shaking it.”

SZA’s declaration has left many supporters confused. But her double-mindedness has made her a prolific songwriter. So, there’s that.

SZA Says Her New Album ‘Lana’ is From a ‘More Beautiful Place’

by
VO01224 Cover SZA Online sRGB

VO01224 Cover SZA Online sRGB

SZA is sneaking in an album before the end of the year. Speaking with British Vogue, she previewed the Lana album.

“I think I am making music from a more beautiful place,” SZA said. “From a more possible place versus a more angsty place. I’m not identifying with my brokenness. It’s not my identity. It’s s**t that happened to me. Yeah, I experienced cruelty. I have to put it down at some point. Piece by piece, my music is shifting because of that, the lighter I get.”

So that’s what Punch meant by this:

You can read the full feature below.

The post SZA Says Her New Album ‘Lana’ is From a ‘More Beautiful Place’ appeared first on .

SZA Previews New Album “Lana” During Revealing Interview About Her Emotions

by

SZA recently sat down for a new interview with British Vogue, which proved to not be as controversial and hotly discussed as her Harper’s BAZAAR sit-down with Kendrick Lamar. But nevertheless, she dished out a lot of interesting revelations, emotional divulgations, and hints at the direction of her next album, Lana. It’s no longer a deluxe version to 2022’s SOS, but rather a full-on new LP following some leaks to the public that derailed its course for a bit. Fortunately, it wasn’t enough to fully throw it off track, and whenever it comes out, it’ll arrive as a highly anticipated LP. Now, we have more of an idea of how it could emotionally relate to the rest of the catalog.

“I think I am making music from a more beautiful place,” SZA told British Vogue concerning the emotional and personally artistic direction of the upcoming Lana record. “From a more possible place versus a more angsty place. I’m not identifying with my brokenness. It’s not my identity. It’s s**t that happened to me. Yeah, I experienced cruelty. I have to put it down at some point. Piece by piece, my music is shifting because of that, the lighter I get.”

Read More: Adam22 Slams SZA For Calling Him A “Culture Vulture” After Kendrick Lamar Interview Criticism

SZA At The 2023 Grammys

SZA New Album Lana Interview Direction Personal Growth Music News
Feb 5, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; SZA presents the award for Best Música Urbana album during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023.. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Elsewhere during the interview, SZA also spoke on what it was like to headline Glastonbury last year. “I just felt like nothing I could do would be enough for Glastonbury, no matter what I did,” she revealed. “It scared me. I was like, well, I wish I wasn’t doing it, but I couldn’t walk away from it… I want to be the second Black woman in history, but then it’s such a f***ing tall order. It’s like, no matter what you do here, you will be subject to criticism. Because of who you are. But that’s life. That’s life, you know?”

Meanwhile, SZA’s recent conversation with British Vogue also held some more personal details and confessions, such as her reflections on getting a BBL. It was a pretty engaging and enlightening conversation from someone who’s always down to share herself in front of the world and use that power in her own personal journey. We can’t wait for what Lana has in store.

Read More: SZA, Keke Palmer & Katt Williams Star In New “One Of Them Days” Trailer

[via]

The post SZA Previews New Album “Lana” During Revealing Interview About Her Emotions appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

SZA Gives A Promising Update On Her New Album ‘Lana,’ Which Comes From ‘A More Beautiful Place’

by
sza 2024 Dreamville Music Festival
Getty Image

One of the most anticipated albums of 2024, or 2025, or whenever it comes out is SZA’s Lana (not to be confused with Lana Del Rey’s new album). It was originally intended as an extended version of 2022’s massive SOS, but after a few songs leaked to the public, the album has since become its own thing.

SZA gave an update on Lana in a recent interview with British Vogue. “I think I am making music from a more beautiful place. From a more possible place versus a more angsty place,” she said. “I’m not identifying with my brokenness. It’s not my identity. It’s shit that happened to me. Yeah, I experienced cruelty. I have to put it down at some point. Piece by piece, my music is shifting because of that, the lighter I get.”

SZA also discussed headlining Glastonbury earlier this year. “I just felt like nothing I could do would be enough for Glastonbury, no matter what I did. It scared me. I was like, well, I wish I wasn’t doing it, but I couldn’t walk away from it…” she said. “I want to be the second Black woman in history, but then it’s such a f*cking tall order. It’s like, no matter what you do here, you will be subject to criticism. Because of who you are. But that’s life. That’s life, you know?”

SZA, Keke Palmer & Katt Williams Star In New “One Of Them Days” Trailer

by

One Of Them Days is scheduled to release on January 24, and we just got a new trailer for the comedy film that shows how zany it could turn out. For those unaware, the film stars SZA and Keke Palmer and revolves around their characters’ quest to improve their financial situation and deal with all the hassles of being roommates. Additional performances come courtesy of Katt Williams, Maude Apatow, Janelle James, and more as oddball personalities that the main duo comes across. Also, Issa Rae produced this flick, so there are a lot of reasons to be excited. It looks pretty funny, with a style that seems ripped right out of the 2000s era of blockbuster gut-busters.

With all these personalities on-screen, you can imagine that they all had a lot of fun on set as they got to know each other and collaborate. But perhaps some colleagues got closer in ways that they didn’t expect. If you hadn’t already heard, Harper’s BAZAAR recently published an interview between Kendrick Lamar and SZA that’s generating a lot of conversation right now. During it, she revealed a curious anecdote about working with Katt Williams.

Read More: Adam22 Puts Kendrick Lamar On Blast For “Softball” Interview With SZA

SZA & Keke Palmer’s One Of Them Days: Watch The Trailer

“We shot a movie last night,” SZA expressed. “I’ve never shot a movie before, so I was freaking out. It’s a lot of being scared to be myself, I’m either gonna pretend it never happened or not show up to the premiere. I met Katt Williams [on set]. He told me I was mentally ill, like, as a compliment. He was like, ‘Sa, I believe you might have some mental—’ And I was like, ‘Illness?’ And he was like, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Oh, welcome.’”

Let us know down in the comments section down below if you’re looking forward to One Of Them Days and what you thought about the trailer. It will probably be very fun to see SZA and Keke Palmer bounce off of each other on the big screen. At the very least, it’s a nice change of pace from the busy career moves and salacious gossip stories that they face every now and then. Maybe this inspires the TDE artist in particular to act more!

Read More: Keke Palmer Insists Tyler Perry Isn’t “The Enemy” Amid Backlash For His Reaction To Criticism

[via]

The post SZA, Keke Palmer & Katt Williams Star In New “One Of Them Days” Trailer appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Adam22 Puts Kendrick Lamar On Blast For “Softball” Interview With SZA

by

Kendrick Lamar has kept the world waiting for new music. He hasn’t provided any updates or release dates. He did, however, open up about his personal life during a recent Harper’s Bazaar profile. K. Dot spoke with former label mate SZA about his approach to music, and his feelings about the recent Drake feud. It was gleefully consumed by Kendrick Lamar’s fans, but hip hop personalities were less pleased. No Jumper host Adam22 felt that Dot sidestepped several difficult questions that he should have been asked.

Adam22 felt that the publication and the interviewer were cherry-picked to make the interview go as smoothly as possible. “Supporting Black media outlets, hip hop media outlets,” he said sarcastically. “Supporting real journalism, you let your label mate, basically, interview you.” Adam22 also took issue with the “elitist” persona that he felt Kendrick Lamar adopted for the profile. “That interview had so little substance to it,” the podcaster asserted. “So many words and so little thought-provoking sentiments… It’s a softball interview.” Adam22 called Kendrick Lamar out for “shielding himself” from tough questions regarding the Drake battle and the allegations that he made about the 6 God.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar’s Explanation Of “Not Like Us” Causes Social Media Uproar

Adam22 Believes Kendrick Lamar “Shielded Himself”

The No Jumper host also had smoke for SZA. He felt the R&B singer was complicit in letting Lamar give vague non-answers to questions about the battle. He cited the discussion surrounding “Not Like Us” as being particularly disappointing. Adam22 felt that the serious claims Lamar leveled at Drake should have been addressed. He even drew parallels between the Diddy situation, and the countless accusers who have come forward, with the lack of accusations made against Drake. “He makes the number one song of the year,” Adam22 explained. “Calling Drake an abuser and a pedophile. zero girls have showed up to confirm this.”

Adam22 is not the only hip hop personality who has taken umbrage with Kendrick Lamar’s interview. DJ Akademiks went ballistic on the Compton rapper during his live stream. He criticized Lamar for claiming to care about the culture, and then giving an interview to an outlet outside of the culture. He also noted that Lamar’s support of Colin Kaepernick has given way to the rapper’s plan to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Read More: TDE Punch Delivers Hot Take On Hip-Hop Journalism After Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s Interview

The post Adam22 Puts Kendrick Lamar On Blast For “Softball” Interview With SZA appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Kendrick Lamar Explaining What ‘Not Like Us’ Means To Him Might As Well Be More Shots Fired At Drake

by

While Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss song “Not Like Us” has been a massive hit since their dust up this spring, fans have been wrestling with the meaning of its titular phrase all along. Obviously Drake is “not like us,” but just who is “us,” and what are they like? In explaining the title of his hit, K. Dot might as well have fired more shots at his onetime rival.

In an interview with his former TDE labelmate SZA for Harper’s Bazaar, Kendrick was asked to explain “what does ‘Not Like Us’ mean to you?”

“Not like us is the energy of who I am, the type of man I represent,” he replied. When asked what kind of man that is, he elaborated, “This man has morals, he has values, he believes in something, he stands on something. He’s not pandering. He’s a man who can recognize his mistakes and not be afraid to share the mistakes and can dig deep down into fear-based ideologies or experiences to be able to express them without feeling like he’s less of a man.”

All of which implies that he doesn’t think Drake is that kind of person. One day, someone’s got to get the real story on just what transpired between the two rappers that Kendrick was willing to go on such a terror campaign against the Canadian.