SZA is coming off a busy festival season that has seen her perform at Sol Blume, Primavera Sound Barcelona, Governors Ball, and just this past weekend, Lollapalooza Chicago and Osheaga. After that flurry of activity, though, it looks like we may have to wait some time before we see SZA on stage again.
Last night (August 5), SZA tweeted, “Yesterday was my last show for a while . Finally bout to get my life together thank u God .”
Yesterday was my last show for a while . Finally bout to get my life together thank u God .
SZA’s website currently lists her next scheduled performance as being on November 20 at Al Dana Amphitheatre in Aş Şakhīr, Bahrain.
It’s not clear what SZA meant by getting her life together, but she does have two sets of new material in the pipeline. In March, she offered an update saying that she intends to release some previously leaked tracks soon. Meanwhile, her upcoming album Lana, which was previously set to be a deluxe edition of SOS before expanding into its own project, is also on the way.
She also recently spoke about how she’s perceived in music, saying, “The only reason I’m defined as an R&B artist is because I’m Black. It’s almost a little reductive because it doesn’t allow space to be anything else or try anything else. Justin Bieber is not considered an R&B artist; he is a pop artist who makes R&B, folk music, or whatever his heart desires. I simply just want to be allowed the same opportunity to make whatever I want without a label, [without it being] based on the color of my skin, or the crew that I run with, or the beats that I choose.”
BMI announced that GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Babyface will receive the BMI Icon Award at the 2024 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards on September 5th. This honor recognizes his extensive catalog of hit songs that have connected with audiences across generations. Additionally, GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter SZA will be presented with the BMI Champion Award for her efforts in fostering the next generation of music creators. The event will be hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
“We’re excited to honor the legendary Babyface with the BMI Icon Award in celebration of his incredible talent and gift of prolific songwriting which has influenced decades of hits among all genres,” said Brewton. “We’ll also recognize the exceptional industry-shifting career of SZA, who challenges conventions and has a unique vibe that continues to transform and inspire a new feel of R&B that we have grown to love. It will be a phenomenal night of music celebrating BMI’s award-winning songwriters, producers, and music publishers that we’re so fortunate to represent.”
Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds has contributed to over 800 million records sold and over 800 billion streams. As the co-founder of LaFace Records, he launched the careers of Toni Braxton, P!nk, TLC, Outkast, Usher, and more. Babyface has released three consecutive multi-platinum albums and recently topped the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart in 2023 with “As a matter of fact.” His accolades include 13 GRAMMY wins and numerous BMI Awards.
SZA, a GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter, continues to set new standards in creativity and songwriting with over 10 billion streams worldwide. Her debut album “Ctrl” and sophomore effort “SOS” both received critical acclaim and commercial success. SZA has received four GRAMMY Awards, a Golden Globe nomination, and an Academy Award nomination.
For more information on the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, visit BMI’s official website and use the hashtag #BMIRnBHHAwards on social media.
SZA is extremely open about her creative process. She lets fans in on how she comes up with song ideas, and what inspires her. She’s even honest about which of her songs she loves more than others. “Kill Bill” is a favorite, but it’s not immune to criticism, according to SZA. The singer recently went on Chicken Shop Date, and she admitted that some of the lyrics in the song go a bit far. She even talked about which lyric she would walk back if she could.
SZA told Chicken Shop Date host Amelia Dimoldenberg that she surprised herself when the wrote “Kill Bill.” Particularly the chorus, in which fantasizes about killing her ex-boyfriend. “Oh my God,” she stated. “After I said that, I was like, ‘That was so crazy and harsh.’ I was just randomly slightly enraged.” She also singled out the line “rather be in jail than alone” as something that is categorically untrue. “Cause I sung that, it has to be true?,” she sarcastically asked Dimoldenberg. This is not the first time SZA has talked about “Kill Bill” publicly. She told People Magazine that she actually considered not releasing the song before her producer Rob Bisel convinced her to do so.
“I hated it,” the singer claimed. Well, I didn’t hate it. But I was like, ‘Can I say this? Is it silly?’ Rob was like, ‘You have to say it!’” Bisel told the outlet that the song came together in an incredibly fast period of time, and praised SZA’s musicality. “She sang, ‘I just killed my ex…’ and the whole hook from that point on,” he recalled. “Her lyric and melody was written from top to bottom in no more than an hour, right there on the spot… It just kind of fell out of the sky.”
SZA and Rob Bisel were smart to release it. “Kill Bill” spent eight weeks at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The remix, featuring Doja Cat, gave the song the push it needed to jump to number one. “Kill Bill” is currently tied for the song the second-longest time at number two before reaching number one. The song was also SZA’s first number one as a solo artist. “Kill Bill” earned three nominations at the Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Performance, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year. In other words, SZA’s “crazy and harsh” lyrics connected worldwide.
SZA is one of the most riveting voices in contemporary R&B today as the music industry is filled with temporal fads and transient sounds. Solána Imani Rowe, hailing from Maplewood, New Jersey, but known as SZA, has transformed this genre through her unprocessed rawness. A manifesto, Ctrl (2017), her first album, was not an introduction but a personal awakening to modern womanhood. It addressed the issues of love, insecurity, and self-determination with the painful truth that spoke eloquently to a generation seeking the real.
Further, SZA’s music is an auditory weaving of R&B, hip-hop, and neo-soul using ethereal singing and pointed lyrics. She has received critical acclaim thanks to her ability to transform personal stories into anthems for all people while gaining devoted fans. Every song takes you on a trip inside her mind where she exhibits her deepest emotions without fear or censorship through poetic lines. Here, we go through five essential songs representing SZA’s evolution as an artist. This is in terms of the genre she represents and how well she speaks to the audience deeply.
1. “The Weekend” (2017)
When her 2017 groundbreaking debut album Ctrl dropped, SZA released “The Weekend.” This track presented SZA’s ability to handle intricate emotional territories with subtlety and bravery with its unashamedly honest examination of modern relationships. The song’s ethereal vocals, coupled with the smooth, sultry production of producer ThankGod4Cody, create an intoxicating and reflective environment.
Moreover, its impact was immediate and profound. It rose to No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and brought SZA critical acclaim. This includes a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance. For this reason, this track is vital because it captures SZA’s unique combination of weakness and strength. It allows her to talk about the problems with love in a way that feels personal yet universal. She also has an uncanny ability to make music feel intimate while still resonating widely with audiences.
SZA’s debut album, Ctrl, had the standout single “Love Galore,” which showcases her ability to combine vulnerability and unabashed confidence. It is a collaboration with Travis Scott and was released in 2017, immediately hitting the right notes with its themes of longing. SZA’s silky voice is well matched by the atmospheric, hypnotic beat augmented with lush instrumentation. Travis Scott brought about a dynamic element by making them alternate their styles.
The song also enjoyed considerable success, peaking at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching multi-platinum certification. This song became one of those anthems that define an artist, marking SZA as one of those R&B giants forever. Her writing was again on point, this time addressing issues concerning the complexities relationships go through when people try living independently. The importance lies in how it fuses raw emotions with refined beats, as exhibited by this track, displaying SZA’s flexibility.
3. “Good Days” (2020)
Released as a single in 2020, “Good Days” is a turning point for SZA’s artistry. The song embodies hope and deep thought at a time of uncertainty. Its gentle melody and floating production allow one to escape the hectic world. Over the production, SZA’s voice reflects on growth, healing, and inner peace, touching on issues that are so deeply personal they are universal.
Almost instantly, it hit home with fans, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning immense praise globally. This indicates SZA’s capacity to rise above R&B conventions through music that combines lonely words with an uplifting message. This track is significant in terms of vocal delivery and thematic exploration because it reveals SZA’s artistic growth.
4. “Broken Clocks” (2017)
One of the songs that stood out from SZA’s critically acclaimed debut album Ctrl is “Broken Clocks.” It deeply explores the themes of time and the constant quest for one’s goals amidst personal challenges. Unveiled in 2017, this track illustrates SZA’s ability as a narrator. It explains her journey and the sacrifices she made. The production is simple but impactful, with a mellow beat allowing for SZA’s resonant voice and serious contemplation.
Its appeal also comes from how much people can relate to it emotionally. In fact, “Broken Clocks” has been a favorite among fans who have seen it being performed live by SZA while others find solace in identifying themselves with her lyrics. This song did extremely well on the charts and with its fan base, showing how deeply SZA could communicate with listeners through her music. For its honest depiction of struggle and grind hustle this song remains vital in displaying SZA’s blend of emotional rawness and lyrical genius. “Broken Clocks” shows she can create very personal yet universally understood music, further asserting her place in the RnB genre.
5. “Drew Barrymore” (2017)
Ctrl was introduced with the lead single “Drew Barrymore,” which illustrates her knack for personal storytelling entwined with universally relatable themes. The title is derived from the name of a popular actress known for her roles in teen movies. In this song, SZA explores her deepest fears such as questioning her self-worth and acceptance.
The song “Drew Barrymore” spoke to people on different levels, prompting many reviews from critics who appreciated its candid words. It touches on so much more than just a breakup song as it helps establish SZA’s unique style—a fusion of introspective lyrics and eclectic musical arrangements, making her an R&B outlier. This track is very important because it best showcases SZA’s talent for transforming adversities into triumphant anthems that define her sound. Also, this track not only exemplifies how deep she can be in lyricism but also sums up his ability to relate with people at a deeper level, thus making it a fundamental piece about his discography and an epoch-making event in his career.
Similar to professional sports, music is a competitive arena. The 2024 Paris Olympics has only heightened the tension in the air. But the lighthearted mashups of competitors in the games and music’s biggest stars has shown just how interwoven things are.
In the pair’s sit down, SZA showed off her freakishly flexible skills in a friendly handstand battle. When asked about her abilities, the “Saturn” singer revealed to Biles that before pursuing a career in music, she trained to be a gymnast. Biles then asked what made her leave the life of an athlete behind.
“When it was clear to me that I wasn’t going to be a national gymnast,” she said. “I was like, ‘Ok, let me see what I can do. See what else I could do.”
SZA took to Instagram to share the episode and praise Biles. “I was SO honored to hang out with you, Simone Biles ,” she wrote. “THIS FELT LIKE A FEVER DREAM. Good luck at your THIRD Olympic Games ! #ParisOlympics.”
Watch the full conversation behind SZA and Simone Biles below.
Glastonbury 2024 has already served as a platform for political message (as seen in Idles set). But over at BST Hyde Park 2024, SZA had some important news to share with fans.
Today (June 29), the “Kill Bill” singer seemingly confirmed that her long teased album, Lana, is on the way and teased her forthcoming song. After tracks from were leaked online, SZA reportedly scrapped the project, leaving fans heartbroken.
Following the sold-out set, SZA took to her X (formerly Twitter) page to further the hype with a teaser clip. The visual featured SZA covered in body and prosthetics. The video leaned into the Mother Nature aesthetic heard on her previous single, “Saturn.” But instead of dialed up the tranquil element, transforming herself into what appears to be a sexy alien grasshopper hybrid.
The caption of the upload featured the lyrics featured throughout the teaser. “I know you told stories about me. Most of them awful. All of them true. Here’s some for u,” wrote SZA.
I know you told stories about me. most of them awful . All of them true . Here’s some for u pic.twitter.com/sDEVju7TGG
Although SZA hasn’t disclosed when supporters should expect the project. But prior to Lana‘s leak, SZA revealed the album was near completion. So for fans sakes, they hope it is shared before the summer ends.
Even though he’s no longer on the label, Kendrick Lamar’s “Pop Out” concert on Juneteenth in Los Angeles was still very much a TDE affair. Black Hippy treated fans to a long-awaited reunion, and SZA donned a convincing disguise to attend the show in peace and turn up with the rest of the crowd. Moreover, new clips emerges on social media of the St. Louis superstar posing for the camera while showing off her fit, which included a cloth wrapped around her head, baggy jeans, and a green shirt. Also, some footage shows her in the crowd during the show itself, and we can only assume she had a great time.
Furthermore, it seems almost corny to tie everything about “The Pop Out” to the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef, but… I mean, the madman opened with “Euphoria.” As such, SZA’s appearance can’t help but evoke a particular line on Drizzy’s “Push Ups” for many fans, in which he says that she “wipes down” K.Dot. This mention was also notable due to her collaborations with the Toronto superstar last year, and their previous romantic relationship. However, the “Doves In The Wind” singer made it clear via an Instagram Story that she wanted no part in that feud, and it looks like now she’s the one sliming Aubrey out.
Jokes aside, SZA’s also got a lot more stuff to focus on and spend her energies living with, such as her Songwriters Hall Of Fame honors. “As an artist, I’ve been a lot of different people,” she said of her Hal David Starlight award. “I’ve been 200 pounds; I’ve been 130 pounds. I’ve been someone who doesn’t dance at all on stage… to someone who is dancing and trying their best and I think, ‘Oh man, I struggle with the artist thing,’ but writing was where I felt like a person, and I had value and showed that I was smart.
“It was beyond ‘Am I pretty?’” SZA continued. “‘Am I liked?’ And that meant everything to me. It made me feel like a person that was doing something worth something. Basically, receiving this award validates my entire career… Thank you for seeing me.” We might not have seen you this time, Solana (at least, not immediately), but no matter what disguise you don, your talents shine through.
The Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud has mostly died down at this point, but generally speaking, there’s a ton of beef in music. For a second, it looked like Iggy Azalea was about to enter the fray and square up against SZA. It turned out the whole thing was just a misunderstanding, though, as Azalea explained.
On May 27, Azalea tweeted, “Who’s solana…? I don’t know that b*tch.” SZA’s full legal name is Solána Imani Rowe, so some thought Azalea was dissing SZA. But, in response to a user who wrote, “That’s @sza mother,” Azalea replied, “Girl im talking about crypto.” She added, “And I love sza too! not about to have Stan Twitter rope her into crypto sh*t hahaha lmaooo.”
As for what Azalea was talking about: Solana is a blockchain platform and the name of its native cryptocurrency, SOL.
Meanwhile, SZA recently vented about how she’s perceived, saying, “The only reason I’m defined as an R&B artist is because I’m Black. It’s almost a little reductive because it doesn’t allow space to be anything else or try anything else. Justin Bieber is not considered an R&B artist; he is a pop artist who makes R&B, folk music, or whatever his heart desires. I simply just want to be allowed the same opportunity to make whatever I want without a label, [without it being] based on the color of my skin, or the crew that I run with, or the beats that I choose. I want ‘F2F’ to be seen as what it is. I want ‘Nobody Gets Me’ to be seen as what it is. I want ‘Kill Bill’ to be seen as what it is.”
Iggy Azalea, one of the largest hitmakers from the country of Australia, is not making music anymore if you were not aware. The “Fancy” songwriter announced that she would be retiring from the industry at the beginning of 2024 after essentially hitting a dead end on an album she was working on. “I feel more passionately about design and creative direction than I do about songwriting”, she explained. It still remains to be seen whether or not what she will do full time. We do know that she is a top earner on the controversial OnlyFans platform. All of this makes a tweet from Iggy Azalea, which is rumored to be an attempt to diss SZA, all the more confusing.
According to AllHipHop, this post on X several hours ago had some fans stunned: “Who’s solana…? I don’t know that b****”. For those who are not in the know, SZA’s legal name is Solána Imani Rowe. One of the R&B superstar’s super fans was at the ready to defend her. “That’s @sza mother”, the user told Iggy. However, it turns out the post was a false alarm. “Girl im talking about crypto.”
Azalea is correct here, as there is a blockchain company by the same name that was launched with help of SOL cryptocurrency. One fan caught was the rapper was putting down, though, “I cackled a bit”, the user replied. Azalea made sure to then clarify that she has no ill will toward the SOS creator, “I love sza too! not about to have Stan Twitter rope her into crypto s*** hahaha lmaooo”.
What are your thoughts on Iggy Azalea clearing up the talk around her hating SZA? Were you aware that Solana was also a name for a blockchain company? Would you want to hear a SZA and Iggy collaboration, why or why not? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Iggy Azalea and SZA. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
On June 30, celebrities and fans will gather for the 2024 BET Awards. In the category of Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, several phenomenal women have been nominated. All the artists up for the award released some of their best music in the past year, which means it could go one of eight ways. Between the first-time nominee Victoria Monét and the Queen of the BET Awards, Beyoncé, there’s no telling who will emerge victorious. Nonetheless, it’s been a wonderful time for R&B and Pop music, and these women are at the forefront of the genre right now.
With ten wins out of 18 nominations, Beyoncé is both the most awarded and the most nominated in the category. SZA won the award last year and is also up for the trophy again. New faces include Muni Long, who achieved viral success once again with “Made For You,” and the Amapiano Princess, Tyla. All women deserve their flowers for delivering exceptional music and performances over the past year. Here are the eight women nominated for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist at the 2024 BET Awards.
Beyoncé
She needs no introduction. Beyoncé has picked up ten wins in this category and is looking to extend her number of wins to 11. Her first win came in 2004, and 20 years later, she is up against a new crop of artists. This testament to her longevity and legacy is evident in her constant reinvention of her artistry. Following her acclaimed Renaissance World Tour and its accompanying film, it’s no surprise why Queen Bey has emerged as the third most nominated act at the upcoming 2024 BET Awards.
Tyla
Tyla is a first-time nominee in this category and boasts four nods at the 2024 BET Awards. The South African starlet achieved worldwide success in 2023 with her viral hit “Water.” Since then, it’s been up for Tyla. The smash hit made waves across the globe, stamping her name into people’s consciousness. She’s currently raising the bar with her sound and pushing the gospel of Amapiano music to the rest of the world. She’s arguably the underdog of not just the category but the entire ceremony.
Victoria Monét
Once upon a time, Victoria Monét was known more for her songwriting prowess. Today, she’s one of the biggest names in music. After the massive success of her debut album, Jaguar II, the world now knows her as an artist and performer in her own right. At the upcoming 2024 BET Awards, Monét is nominated for four awards and will also perform on the main stage.
Coco Jones
After a steady ascent to mainstream stardom, Coco Jones is now here to stay. She earned her first nomination in this category last year and can now boast of back-to-back nods. Early last year, she released the deluxe edition of her acclaimed EP, What I Didn’t Tell You. Since then, she has been all over, boosting her popularity through Christmas music and multiple live performances.
In 2023, Doja Cat made the confident leap back to her rap roots. Evidently, the gamble she took on herself paid off. Scarlet, her fourth album, was a definitive body of work. While she’s stirred up some controversy in the past year, Doja’s talents have never been up for question. With a perfect blend of Hip Hop, R&B, and trap, Scarlet proved Doja’s ability to rap alongside the best of them. She has been hard at work the last few months, completing the North American leg of The Scarlet Tour.
H.E.R.
She may have just one studio album to her name, but H.E.R. is R&B royalty. Since 2018, she has been nominated in this category and has gained yet another nod at the 2024 BET Awards. Altogether, she has seven nods, making her the third most nominated woman in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist category. Since her 2023 nomination, H.E.R. sang on The Color Purple soundtrack, joined Coldplay on tour, and performed with Usher at the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Muni Long
Muni Long might have just scored her first award in this category, but she has been hard at work in the industry for years. She’s penned songs for several notable names, from Rihanna to Ariana Grande. After achieving mainstream success with “Hrs and Hrs” in 2022, she continued her run with the viral hit “Made for Me.” As one of three first-time nominees, Muni Long is definitely one of the underdogs of the night. She will also be performing on the main stage at the awards ceremony.
With five nominations at the 2024 BET Awards, SZA is the third most nominated artist of the night. She’s aiming for a second win, following her success in the category at last year’s ceremony. It comes as no surprise why she’s one of the favorites to win. SZA’s impressive run with SOS continued deep into 2023. In fact, she’s still reaping the rewards of her talents almost two years later. She is currently on the 2024 run of her SOS Tour, with shows scattered across the United States, Europe, Canada, New Zealand, and South America.
,” she wrote. “THIS FELT LIKE A FEVER DREAM. Good luck at your THIRD Olympic Games ! 
#ParisOlympics.”
