SZA’s Evolution: 15 Influential Songs Shaping R&B

Introduction:

SZA is one of the most influential and acclaimed artists in contemporary R&B.

Since her debut in 2012, and has released two albums, four EPs, and numerous singles that have earned her 12 Grammy nominations and one award.

Her songs explore themes such as love, sexuality, identity, and empowerment with a unique musical style that she calls glitter trap.

In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at SZA’s evolution as an artist and examine her 15 most influential songs and their impact on contemporary R&B.

Whether you are a fan of SZA or just curious about her music, this article will give you a deeper insight into her creative process and artistic vision.

SZA’s Early Years: How She Found Her Voice and Style

SZA was born Solána Imani Rowe on November 8, 1989, in St. Louis, Missouri.

She grew up in a Muslim household with a father who was an executive producer at CNN and a mother who was an Ivy League-educated academic.

She listened to various genres of music from an early age, such as jazz, soul, gospel, hip-hop, and alternative rock.

She attended a conservative Islamic school until she was in ninth grade when she moved to Maplewood, New Jersey.

SZA started making music as a hobby in college, where she studied marine biology.

She recorded songs on her laptop and uploaded them to SoundCloud under the name SZA, which stands for either Sovereign Zig-Zag Allah” or “Savior Zig-Zag Allah, depending on the source. She also adopted the name because of the Wu-Tang Clan and their use of Supreme Alphabet. 

She independently released her first EP, See.SZA.Run, in 2012, followed by her second EP, S, in 2013.

These projects showcased her eclectic and experimental sound that blended R&B, soul, pop, indie rock, and electronic music.

SZA caught the attention of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) label home of Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Ab-Soul.

She met Terrence “Punch” Henderson, the co-founder of TDE, at a Kendrick Lamar show selling merchandise.

He was impressed by her music and offered her a deal with TDE. She became the first female artist to sign with TDE in 2013.

She released her third EP, Z, in 2014 under TDE. Z was more polished and cohesive than her previous projects and featured collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, Isaiah Rashad, and James Fauntleroy. Z received critical acclaim and debuted at number 39 on the Billboard 200 chart.

SZA’s Breakthrough: How Ctrl Changed the Game for R&B

SZA’s debut album Ctrl was one of the most anticipated albums of 2017.

It was titled A and was supposed to be the final installment of her self-titled trilogy after S and Z.

However, the album faced delays and setbacks due to creative differences between SZA and TDE. SZA expressed her frustration and anxiety over the album’s release on social media and even threatened to quit music several times.

She also revealed that she had recorded over 150 songs for the album and had trouble choosing which ones to include.

Ctrl dropped on June 9, 2017, after TDE’s CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith took control of SZA’s hard drive and decided on the final tracklist.

Ctrl featured 14 songs exploring SZA’s experiences with love, sex, relationships, self-esteem, and identity.

The album showcased SZA’s raw and honest lyrics that were often confessional and self-deprecating.

The album also showcased SZA’s versatile vocals that ranged from soulful crooning to rap-like flows.

The album had several producers, such as Pharrell Williams, Frank Dukes, Carter Lang, Cam O’bi, ThankGod4Cody, Scum Beats, and others. 

The album’s sound blended contemporary R&B, neo-soul, pop, hip-hop, and alternative rock and featured guest appearances from Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, James Fauntleroy, and Isaiah Rashad.

Ctrl was a commercial and critical success. It debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 60,000 units in its first week.

It was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2018. It received widespread acclaim from critics who praised SZA’s songwriting, vocals, and authenticity.

It ranked as one of the best albums of 2017 by various publications such as Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, The Guardian, Complex, and Time. It earned five Grammy nominations in 2018 for Best New Artist, Best Urban Contemporary Album, Best R&B Performance (“The Weekend”), Best R&B Song (“Supermodel”), and Best Rap/Sung Performance (“Love Galore”). 

However, it won no awards, which sparked controversy and backlash from fans and celebrities.

Ctrl established SZA as one of the leading voices in contemporary R&B.

Her songs resonated with listeners who related to her vulnerability and honesty.

Her songs also influenced other artists who adopted her style and sound. Some of the most popular songs from Ctrl are:

Love Galore: The lead single from Ctrl featuring Travis Scott. It is a song about a toxic relationship that SZA can’t seem to escape from. It peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified triple platinum by the RIAA.

The Weekend: The second single from Ctrl. It is a song about sharing a man with other women on different days of the week. It peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA. It also spawned several remixes and covers by artists such as Wale, Calvin Harris, Miguel, and Smino.

Drew Barrymore: The third single from Ctrl. It is a song about feeling insecure and inadequate in a relationship. It peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. It also featured a cameo appearance from Drew Barrymore herself in the music video.

Supermodel: The fourth single from Ctrl. It is a song about seeking validation and revenge from an ex-lover who left SZA for another woman. It peaked at 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and received a nomination for Best R&B Song at the Grammys.

Broken Clocks: The fifth single from Ctrl. It is a song about living in the present and not worrying about the past or the future. It peaked at number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA.

SZA’s Collaborations: How She Worked with the Best in the Industry

SZA has collaborated with many artists across different genres, such as Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Ty Dolla $ign, Doja Cat, Chance the Rapper, Isaiah Rashad, James Fauntleroy, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake, Lizzo, Cardi B, Maroon 5, Calvin Harris, and more. She has also contributed to various soundtracks and albums, such as Black Panther: The Album, The Lion King: The Gift, Dear Evan Hansen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), and DJ Khaled’s Khaled Khaled. 

Some of her most notable collaborations are:

All The Stars: A collaboration with Kendrick Lamar for the soundtrack of Black Panther. It is a song about ambition and aspiration in the face of adversity. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified triple platinum by the RIAA. It received nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap/Sung Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media at the Grammys, and Original Song at the Oscars.

Kiss Me More: A collaboration with Doja Cat for Doja Cat’s third studio album Planet Her. It is a song about sexual attraction and intimacy. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. It also won Best Pop Duo/Performance at the Grammys in 2022.

I Do: A collaboration with Cardi B for Cardi B’s debut album Invasion of Privacy. It is a song about female empowerment and independence. It peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA.

The Other Side: A collaboration with Justin Timberlake for the soundtrack of Trolls World Tour. It is a song about embracing diversity and harmony. It peaked at 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA.

What Lovers Do: A collaboration with Maroon 5 for Maroon 5’s sixth studio album Red Pill Blues. It is a song about romantic uncertainty and curiosity. It peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified triple platinum by the RIAA.

SZA’s Influence: How She Inspired a Generation of R&B Artists

SZA is widely recognized as one of the most influential and innovative artists in contemporary R&B. Her music has inspired and influenced a generation of R&B artists who have followed in her footsteps and adopted her style and sound.

Some of these artists include:

• Summer Walker: A platinum-selling singer-songwriter compared to SZA for her confessional and emotional lyrics and the blending of R&B, soul, pop, and hip-hop. She has also expressed her admiration and said that her album Ctrl inspired her. They collaborated on the song titled No Love from Walker’s second studio album Still Over It (2021). An extended version with American rapper Cardi B was released on March 25, 2022,
• Kehlani: A Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter has also mentioned SZA as one of her influences and said that she loves her music and personality.

SZA’s SOS Songs: How She Delivered Her Most Diverse and Dynamic Album Yet

SZA’s second studio album, SOS, was one of the most anticipated and acclaimed albums of 2022. The album showcased her versatility and creativity as an artist exploring different genres, themes, and collaborations in her music. The album also reflected SZA’s personal growth and evolution, as she expressed her emotions and experiences with honesty and raw authenticity. 

Good Days: The first single from SOS, released on December 25, 2020. It is a song about optimism and hope amid adversity. It peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA.

I Hate U: The second single from SOS, released on December 3, 2021, after becoming a viral hit on TikTok. It is a song about resentment and frustration towards an ex-lover. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA.

Shirt: The third single from SOS, released on October 28, 2022. It is a song about self-love and confidence. It peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA.

Kill Bill: Kill Bill is the fifth single from SOS released on January 10, 2023. It is a song about revenge and empowerment. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. It was also SZA’s first song to top the chart.

Snooze: Snooze is the sixth single from SOS released on April 25, 2023. It is a song about procrastination and laziness. It peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified gold by the RIAA.

Conclusion:

SZA is a remarkable artist who has made a lasting impact on contemporary R&B with her music. She has evolved from a hobbyist to a superstar, an outsider to an icon, and a follower to a leader. She has inspired and influenced many artists who have followed her footsteps and adopted her style and sound. 

She has also explored and experimented with different genres, themes, and collaborations in her music. She has faced and overcome many challenges and obstacles in her career and personal life. She has also expressed her interest and ambition in expanding her horizons and pursuing other endeavors. SZA is a force to be reckoned with and a voice to be heard. She is one of the most influential and innovative artists of our time. She is SZA.