by Jonathan P-Wright | Dec 19, 2023 | Latest, Music News |
In an all-encompassing dialogue with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, SZA, the fearless songbird, unraveled her journey towards fame, her battle with its challenges, and the unexpected catalyst that kick-started her music career – her ex-fiancé.
From Co-dependence to Independence SZA’s music journey began in an unusual fashion. The spark ignited in her was not initially born out of passion, but a need to assert herself. Her ex-fiancé, almost a decade older than her, was the dominant figure in their relationship. He was the one who took care of her basic needs – food, clothing, and shelter.
“My starting point in music can be traced back to my ex-fiancé, who was the provider of my sustenance. He was older than me by about eight years.”
Her feelings of inadequacy were exacerbated when she compared herself to his previous partners – successful women who were lawyers, businesswomen, and artists. As a college dropout, still working as a bartender in a strip club, she felt she lacked value. This feeling initiated her journey into the world of music.
The SOS Call
As the most nominated artist at the 2024 Grammys, with nine nods and a career total of 24, SZA is no stranger to the limelight. However, the artist recently came to a startling realization – the life of fame is far from normal.
“Recently, I’ve come to understand that this entire charade, this fame, is anything but typical.”
Amidst the whirlwind of expectations and the constant intrusion into her personal space, she found herself struggling to cope. This relentless pressure often made her lash out, and she admitted to feeling “on edge and not a kind person.”
Anxiety, Panic Attacks and the Price of Fame
One of the most startling repercussions of her fame has been the onset of panic attacks. SZA confessed to experiencing anxiety over how she is perceived. Her fear of judgment became so intense that she found herself having panic attacks in the most unexpected situations.
“I started experiencing panic attacks like never before. I remember being at a photoshoot for Wall Street Journal, tears streaming down my face, because I was terrified about how I would be perceived.”
Reflections on Fame and Self-Perception
The 34-year-old singer is currently grappling with questions about her identity, public perception, and the meaning of her fame. She often wonders if she can disappear without having to answer to anyone.
“I find myself concerned about what does all of this fame actually mean, how do people view me, what do they expect from me, can I just disappear and not talk to anybody?”
These poignant revelations from the singer’s life paint a vivid picture of her journey from self-doubt to self-assertion, and the ongoing battle with fame and self-perception. Despite the challenges, SZA continues to make waves in the music industry, proving her point and standing tall as an inspiration for many.
by Derrick T Lewis | Sep 26, 2023 | Latest, Music News, New Music Alert |
Image credit: John Steel / Shutterstock.com
Renowned artists Drake and SZA have teamed up to release a fresh song titled “Slime You Out“. The single, dropped a week before Drake’s much-anticipated album For All The Dogs, has already sparked considerable buzz in the music industry.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Interestingly, Drake and SZA, both prominent figures in the music world, share a personal history. They were romantically involved in the late 2000s, specifically around 2008-09. Their past connection has added an extra layer of intrigue to their latest musical collaboration.
A Nod to Drake’s Past Crushes
The song’s promotional material features an image from 2012 of actress Halle Berry at the Kids’ Choice Awards, being covered in slime. This choice of imagery is not random. Drake, over the years, has been open about his celebrity crushes, and Halle Berry was one of them. However, this image did not make it to the cover of the streaming platforms. Instead, the cover art honors Adonis Graham, Drake’s son, in a tribute to the For All The Dogs album.
Drake’s Nickelodeon Slime References
Fans of Drake will be familiar with his penchant for referencing Nickelodeon’s iconic slime in his lyrics. In Young Thug’s Business Is Business opener “Parade on Cleveland,” released in June, Drake rapped, “Slime on your head, Nickelodeon time”. This trend continues in “Slime You Out”. Drake sings, “I’m slimin’ you for them kid choices you made,” in the first verse. This is a clear nod to the Nickelodeon culture and its tradition of sliming individuals.
SZA, on the other hand, offers a rebuttal in the song, stating she has “too much pride” to be slimed out. This interplay of lyrics adds a playful element to the song while reflecting the personal dynamics between the two artists.
A Glimpse into Drake’s Upcoming Album
The release of “Slime You Out” has given fans a sneak peek into what they can expect from For All The Dogs. The album, according to various sources, boasts some of Drake’s best verses and deals with controversial topics.
Drake’s father, Dennis Graham, has described the album as “some of the best music” he has heard from his son. Fans and critics alike are eagerly awaiting the release of the album, set to drop on September 22nd, the same day as Doja Cat’s Scarlet album.
Conclusion
“Slime You Out” marks a fresh chapter in the professional relationship between Drake and SZA. Their personal history adds a layer of intrigue to the song, making it a must-listen for fans of both artists. As we await the release of For All The Dogs, the new track gives us a glimpse into the musical genius of Drake and sets high expectations for the upcoming album.
by Samantha J Rice | Feb 2, 2023 | Latest, Music News, New Music Alert |
There was a lot of excitement last month when SZA released her highly anticipated album SOS. Among viral hits such as “Kill Bill” and “Snooze,” “Blind” has taken off as one of the most popular songs among fans. In an effort to reward his fans, Leon Thomas was kind enough to offer a cover of the track over the weekend after revealing that he had co-written and co-produced the track with his mentor Babyface. As part of the new version, Thomas shows off his raw vocals and guitar skills as he sings about the lengths he is willing to go for what he loves as he sings:
There was no doubt I would do a cover of SZA’s track ‘Snooze’ from her upcoming album SOS, as this is the track that I co-produced with her. What an amazing experience it has been to see how it has been received by so many people! Make sure that you take a moment to stream my new single ‘Breaking Point’ on Spotify if you caught the vibe,” Thomas wrote on the social media site Instagram.
Last year, the New York-born recording artist made his solo recording debut as a recording artist by releasing the single “Love Jones” with the help of Ty Dolla $ign. He followed up that release with his follow-up “Breaking Point”, which was produced by Don Mills and Coleman, and which also features NBA superstar LeBron James along with another son of his, Bronny James, in Beats By Dre’s latest promotional video. In the past few years, Thomas has had a lot of success penning songs for some big names like SZA. He has received a lot of credit for writing tracks for Giveon’s Give or Take, Ariana Grande’s Positions, Drake’s Certified Lover Boy, and many others.
by Jesse Swindell | Jun 14, 2022 | Latest, Music News, New Music Alert |
The release of SZA debut studio album Ctrl, five years ago this week, marks a milestone. 14 tracks were included on the album, including collaborations with none other than Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Isaiah Rashad, and James Fauntleroy. SZA and Top Dawg Entertainment were able to achieve significant critical and commercial success with the project. This included landing SZA at number three on the Billboard 200 before her music spent an incredible 260 weeks atop that chart. Over the years, the project has also been certified double Platinum and released classic singles including “The Weekend,” “Love Galore,” and “Broken Clocks.”
SZA and TDE announced that they will upgrade Ctrl’s fifth anniversary with a deluxe upgrade. This upgrade includes seven additional songs recorded between 2014 and 2017, as the singer revealed at the time. Among the seven songs is an alternative version of “Love Galore” which includes a new verse by singer SZA, adding to the song’s original theme of regret about love gone by:
In the months since the release of Ctrl, SZA has teased a forthcoming album through loose tracks such as “Passport,” “Hit Different,” “Good Days,” “Nightbird,” “Joni,” and “I Hate U.” Additionally, she contributed music to a series of big moments in entertainment, including Lamar’s score to Black Panther, as well as collaborations with DJ Khaled, Cardi B, Justin Timberlake, Post Malone, and Megan Thee Stallion.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Jul 10, 2021 | Black Girl Magic, Latest, Music News |
You can now purchase NFTs of her epic “UNSTAGED” show from mid-June.
SZA has partnered with American Express to issue a set of exclusive non-fungible tokens (NFTs). She received the NFTs for her “UNSTAGED” performance at Amex and for the release of her debut studio album Ctrl four years ago.
There are now NFTs available from her epic virtual “UNSTAGED” show from June. With this exclusive collection, SZA’s first fans will be able to see behind-the-scenes photos and highlights of her live performance they were not able to see during the live stream. The Grammy-nominated artist performed most of her Grammy-nominated album Ctrl onstage, but only the best moments were made digital, such as Kiss Me More, All The Stars, Hit Different, Pretty Little Birds, “20 Something,” and “Good Days.” SZA’s virtual concert was her first complete set in two years.
Currently, if you’re an Amex cardholder, NFTs are available from the NFT marketplace Fanaply. A $100 piece is included in each delivery, which arrived this past Friday (July 9) for those who attended the “UNSTAGED” event. Additional episodes will be released on July 12 on the show’s website.
During an interview with Complex before her UNSTAGED show, SZA described how it felt like returning to the stage and performing again for her fans. I can’t wait to get back there again, feel the excitement in their voices, and engage them again. My world is weird when I sing songs I haven’t heard in a billion years because I don’t listen to my own music much,” she said. “I only listened to my album on the third anniversary last year. This year I didn’t do so. It feels strange. I’m unfamiliar with it, but familiarizing myself with it.”
Performing songs she created four years ago is also “emotional” for the New Jersey native. “I never imagined that the album would be this powerful – or as powerful – as it was,” she said. “I’m learning every day what this means to other people. I usually feel astonished and more confused than anything else. I can’t believe it’s taken me up to this point, and it’s still not something that I feel ashamed of. This is something that I am especially grateful for because it’s not something that happens that often.”
Now you can purchase SZA’s “UNSTAGED” NFT at Fanaply.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
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