SZA

Solána Imani Rowe (St. Louis, Missouri, November 8, 1989), known professionally as SZA, (acronym for "Sovereign Zig-Zag Allah" or "Savior Zig-Zag Allah"),4 is an American singer and songwriter. Born in St. Louis, she began making music in the early 2010s, releasing two EPs: See.SZA.Run and S, before signing with hip hop record label Top Dawg Entertainment, through which she released Z, their third EP and first commercial release.5 SZA's debut studio album, Ctrl, was released on June 9, 2017, to universal acclaim from music critics.6 It debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 and was eventually certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album and its songs were nominated for four Grammy Awards and SZA was nominated for Best New Artist at the 60th annual ceremony. Ctrl was ranked the best album of 2017 by Time magazine.7 That year, she also appeared on Maroon 5's hit single "What Lovers Do." The following year, she collaborated with Kendrick Lamar to create "All the Stars" for the Black Panther soundtrack; The song was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.8 In 2021, her single "Good Days" became popular on streaming platforms and became her first solo top 10 hit on on Billboard Hot 100.9​10​ In 2023, his song "Kill Bill" became his biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching no. 2 for 5 weeks. SZA's music has been described as alternative R&B, with elements of soul, hip hop, minimal R&B, indie rock, cloud rap, witch house and chillwave. SZA's lyrics are described as "unraveling" and her songs often revolve around themes of sexuality, nostalgia and abandonment.