SZA

SZA, with her name being inspired by Wu-Tang Clan's RZA, is a distinct force in contemporary R&B who has carved out her unique place in the music industry through her vulnerable lyricism and casually poetic songwriting style. She showcases a voice that effortlessly conveys a multitude of feelings, taking listeners on an emotional rollercoaster through subtle twists and turns.

She first made her mark in the music scene with a trio of uniquely spaced-out EPs and entered into collaborations with prominent figures such as Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, and Rihanna. SZA's rise to fame was further amplified by her album Ctrl in 2017, which soared through the Billboard 200, earning her five Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist.

Her popularity didn't wane in the following year as she secured nearly the same number of Grammy nominations for her contribution in Kendrick Lamar's "All the Stars," a Top Ten hit. SZA has since demonstrated her prowess by racking up a series of platinum singles, either as a headliner or a featured artist, before releasing her second album, SOS, in 2022.

Born as Solána Imani Rowe in St. Louis and raised in New Jersey, SZA had a diverse upbringing that was mirrored in her musical interests. Influenced by the likes of Billie Holiday, Björk, and Wu-Tang Clan, she has imbibed a unique take on music that resonates deeply with her listeners.

SZA's rise to prominence is a testament to her relentless pursuit of her passion for music. After leaving college, she adopted a nomadic lifestyle, undertaking various jobs and pursuing music in her spare time. She took the music world by storm by self-releasing two dreamy and alluring EPs, namely See.SZA.Run (2012) and S (2013).

Her versatility and talent did not go unnoticed, and she soon found herself signed with Top Dawg Entertainment, a collaboration that proved highly fruitful. Following her signing, SZA released her debut album, Z, which was a chartbuster, boasting collaborations with Kendrick Lamar and Isaiah Rashad.

Despite not winning in any Grammy categories, SZA's contribution in the Black Panther: The Album track "All the Stars" earned her four separate Grammy nominations, which goes on to demonstrate her wide-ranging musical prowess.

With a staggering tally of over 16 billion streams on Spotify, SZA is a massively popular artist. Her track "Kiss Me More (feat. SZA)" from 2021 alone has amassed more than 1.6 billion streams. SZA continues to break grounds with her evocative lyricism, and her most recent releases include "No Love" and "I Hate U." The latter scaled up the pop charts, reaching number seven. Her music continues to break barriers, pushing the envelope of contemporary R&B, and allowing SZA to cement her place as a critically acclaimed global superstar.