Sza Biography
SZA, born Solána Imani Rowe on November 8, 1989, is an American singer-songwriter renowned for her unique blend of R&B, pop, hip hop, alternative R&B, and neo soul. She first gained attention with her self-released extended plays (EPs), “See.SZA.Run” in 2012 and “S” in 2013, which led to her becoming the first female artist to sign with Top Dawg Entertainment. Her debut studio album, “Ctrl,” released in 2017, received critical acclaim and earned her four Grammy Award nominations.
SZA’s second album, “SOS” (2022), topped the Billboard 200 for ten non-consecutive weeks and set a record for the largest streaming week for an R&B album in the US. Her singles “Good Days,” “I Hate U,” “Nobody Gets Me,” and “Snooze” have been highly successful, with “Kill Bill” reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023. She also featured on Drake’s “Slime You Out,” which became her second chart-topping single of the year.
As a songwriter, SZA has contributed to works by other artists, including Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, and Rihanna. Her accolades include four Grammy Awards, a Brit Award, an American Music Award, and two Billboard Women in Music awards, one of which was Woman of the Year.
Sza Age
Sza is 34 years old as of 2024.
Sza Early Life and Education
SZA, born Solána Imani Rowe, entered the world on November 8, 1989, in St. Louis, Missouri, and was raised in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her early life was shaped by a diverse family background, with her mother working as an executive at AT&T and her father serving as an executive producer for CNN. SZA’s upbringing was rooted in the orthodox Muslim tradition, which included attending a Muslim prep school in addition to her regular schooling. Despite facing challenges such as bullying and feeling ostracized, especially after the September 11 attacks, she maintained her devotion to her faith.
During her school years, SZA’s talents began to surface. Her parents recognized her musical potential early on, with her father introducing her to jazz legends like Miles Davis and John Coltrane, and her mother encouraging her to explore her vocal abilities.
Academically, SZA attended Columbia High School, where she stood out for her interests in mythology and faced social challenges. After graduating in 2008, her educational journey took her through three different colleges before she settled on marine biology at Delaware State University. However, her college experience was marked by struggles with alcohol and marijuana use, failed courses, and ultimately, dropping out in her final semester.
Sza Career
SZA’s career began to take shape when she self-released her first two extended plays (EPs), “See.SZA.Run” in 2012 and “S” in 2013. These projects showcased her distinctive sound, blending elements of R&B, pop, hip hop, alternative R&B, and neo soul. Her work caught the attention of Top Dawg Entertainment, leading her to become the first female artist to sign with the label.
In 2014, SZA released her third EP, “Z,” which was her first project available on digital retailers. “Z” reached the top ten on the US Independent Albums chart, solidifying her presence in the music industry. This success paved the way for her debut studio album, “Ctrl,” in 2017. “Ctrl” was met with critical acclaim, earning SZA four Grammy Award nominations and becoming the second longest-charting R&B album by a female artist on the Billboard 200.
SZA’s musical journey continued to flourish with her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar on the song “All the Stars,” which was nominated for both the Golden Globe and Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Her featured appearance on Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” broke records for the longest-running all-female collaboration within the US top ten and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Her second album, “SOS” (2022), marked a significant milestone in her career. It spent ten non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 and broke the record for the largest streaming week for an R&B album in the US. The album was supported by six singles, including the top-ten hits “Good Days,” “I Hate U,” “Nobody Gets Me,” and “Snooze.” In 2023, SZA earned her first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Kill Bill” and later achieved her second chart-topping single of the year with her guest appearance on Drake’s “Slime You Out”.
Throughout her career, SZA has received numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards, a Brit Award, an American Music Award, a Guild of Music Supervisors Award, and two Billboard Women in Music awards, one of which was Woman of the Year. As a songwriter, she has co-written songs for other artists such as Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, and Rihanna.
Sza Songs
SZA has a diverse discography that includes a range of singles and collaborations. Here’s a list of some of her songs:
- “Good Days”
- “I Hate U”
- “Shirt”
- “Kill Bill”
- “Snooze”
- “Love Galore”
- “The Weekend”
- “Broken Clocks”
- “Drew Barrymore”
- “All the Stars” (with Kendrick Lamar)
- “Kiss Me More” (with Doja Cat)
These songs span across her albums and EPs, including her critically acclaimed albums “Ctrl” and “SOS”.
Sza Awards and Nominations
SZA has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career. Here’s a summary of her accolades:
- Grammy Awards: 4 wins from 24 nominations, including Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Kiss Me More” with Doja Cat.
- Academy Awards: 1 nomination for Best Original Song for “All the Stars” with Kendrick Lamar.
- American Music Awards: 1 win from 5 nominations.
- BET Awards: 5 wins from 14 nominations.
- Billboard Music Awards: 6 wins from 25 nominations.
- Billboard Women in Music: 2 wins, including Woman of the Year.
- MTV Video Music Awards: 2 wins from 8 nominations.
- Soul Train Music Awards: 6 wins from 22 nominations.
- In total, SZA has won 44 awards from 177 nominations, reflecting her significant impact on the music industry.
Sza Personal Life
SZA, known for her musical talent and unique voice, has generally kept her personal life and relationships private. However, she has had a few public connections. She was briefly involved with Drake in 2009, a fact that came to light in one of his songs, though SZA clarified that it was a youthful fling rather than a serious relationship. Additionally, she has mentioned a long-term relationship with a former fiancé, which lasted over a decade, although she has not publicly revealed his identity.
In her music and interviews, SZA has occasionally opened up about her experiences with love and heartbreak. For instance, during a concert in London, she shared with her fans that an ex-boyfriend had cheated on her in the city, which had a significant emotional impact on her.
Sza Net Worth
SZA, the American R&B singer and songwriter, has an estimated net worth of $6 million as of 2024.
Sza Social Media Handles
- Facebook: SZA
- Instagram: @sza
- Twitter: @sza
