Who Is SZA?
SZA, born Solána Imani Rowe in St. Louis, is an American singer-songwriter known for fusing R&B, hip-hop, and soul with diaristic lyrics about love, insecurity, and self-image.
She emerged from independent EP releases to become a global star with her debut album Ctrl and the blockbuster follow-up SOS, which pushed alternative R&B firmly into the mainstream.
Rise to Fame and Her Evolving Sound
After self-releasing early EPs, SZA signed with Top Dawg Entertainment in 2013, becoming the label’s first female artist and gaining notice for her dreamy, atmospheric production and raw, conversational writing.
Her projects Z and Ctrl, along with collaborations with major artists, helped define a new wave of alternative R&B that embraces genre fluidity, blending neo-soul, hip-hop, and indie influences while centering emotional vulnerability.
The SOS Era, Awards, and Cultural Impact
With the release of SOS, SZA achieved her greatest commercial success to date, topping the Billboard 200 and scoring global hits like “Kill Bill,” “Good Days,” and “Snooze,” which dominated streaming and radio.
Her Grammy wins, arena tours, and major collaborations have positioned her as a defining voice of modern R&B, inspiring emerging artists and shifting mainstream pop toward more honest, introspective storytelling.