Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA (pronounced "SIZ-ə"), is an American singer-songwriter celebrated for her unique blend of R&B, neo-soul, and alternative influences. Born on November 8, 1989, in St. Louis, Missouri, SZA has captivated audiences with her distinctive voice and introspective lyrics exploring themes of heartbreak, sexuality, and self-image.
Early Life and Muslim Upbringing
SZA's parents, Audrey Rowe and Abdul-Alim Mubarak-Rowe, both have roots in the Southern United States. Her mother worked as an executive at AT&T, while her father was an executive producer for CNN. Growing up in Maplewood, New Jersey, SZA was raised in the Orthodox Muslim tradition. She attended a Muslim preparatory school alongside her regular schooling, often wearing a hijab and dressing modestly.
As one of the few Black people in her predominantly white community, SZA faced instances of bullying, particularly after the September 11 attacks in 2001. To fit in, she sometimes removed her hijab at school. Despite these challenges, she remained devoted to her faith, expressing in a 2013 interview, "I’ll feel most comfortable with Islam forever."
Musical Influences and Education
SZA's parents recognized her musical talent early on. Her father introduced her to jazz legends Miles Davis and John Coltrane, while her mother encouraged her to embrace her vocal abilities. She also participated in cheerleading and dedicated 13 years to gymnastics, becoming captain of her team and achieving national ranking during her sophomore year at Columbia High School.
After graduating high school in 2008, SZA attended three different colleges before deciding to study marine biology at Delaware State University. Ultimately, she dropped out in her final semester, later spending a summer at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she developed a keen fashion sense.
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Rise to Musical Fame
In 2011, SZA made pivotal connections that propelled her musical career. While delivering clothing to members of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), co-president Terrence (“Punch”) Henderson heard her singing and was impressed. In 2013, after self-releasing her mixtape See.SZA.Run (2012) and an EP, S (2013), SZA became the first female artist signed with TDE.
Her stage name, SZA, is an acronym based on letters in the Supreme Alphabet, created by Clarence 13X, founder of the Five Percent Nation. As she explained in a 2018 interview, "The S stands for Sovereign or Self, Savior; the Z stands for Zig-Zag-Zig, which is enlightenment and acknowledgment of one’s self; and the A stands for the most high of all,” a reference to Allah.
In 2014, SZA released a second EP, Z, which delivered a dreamlike sound. That same year, she co-wrote "Feeling Myself," performed by Nicki Minaj and featuring Beyoncé. In 2016, she was featured on Rihanna’s album ANTI.
SZA: The Untold Story of Her Rise, Struggles & Success
Ctrl and SOS: Breakthrough Albums
SZA's debut studio album, Ctrl, was released in 2017, showcasing a contemporary rhythm-and-blues sound and exploring themes of romance, nostalgia, and insecurity. Featuring popular songs like "Broken Clocks," "The Weekend," and "Love Galore," the album reached number one on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and number three on the Billboard 200 chart. Ctrl also received several Grammy Award nominations and was ranked as the best album of 2017 by Time.
In 2018, she collaborated with Kendrick Lamar on "All the Stars" for the Black Panther soundtrack, earning them Grammy and Academy Award nominations. After Ctrl, SZA released singles and collaborations with artists including Justin Timberlake, Cardi B, and Post Malone. One of her most successful collaborations was “Kiss Me More” with rapper Doja Cat, which peaked in 2021 at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned SZA her first Grammy Award, for best pop duo/group performance.
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In 2022, SZA released her highly anticipated second studio album, SOS, which included the highest-charting song of her musical career, "Kill Bill." In 2024, she scored nine Grammy nominations, the most for any artist that year. SOS was named best progressive R&B album, and the album’s single “Snooze” won for best R&B song.
Musical Style and Influences
SZA's music is often described as alternative R&B, with elements of soul, hip hop, minimalist R&B, indie rock, cloud rap, witch house, and chillwave. She is known for referencing films and television series across her discography. SZA self-identifies with the label "alternative" and resists being categorized solely as R&B.
Her musical inspirations include a diverse range of artists, such as Meelah, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, LFO, Macy Gray, Common, Björk, and Jamiroquai. She also draws inspiration from her experiences with American Ballet Theatre and film director Spike Lee.
Collaborations and Recognition
SZA has a strong working relationship with Kendrick Lamar, whom she considers her "sensei." She has also collaborated with numerous other artists, including Mac Miller and Lizzo. Her grandmother, Norma Rowe, appears via sampled voice recordings on Ctrl and SOS, adding a personal touch to her albums.
SZA has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including five Grammy Awards, a Brit Award, three American Music Awards, and two Billboard Women in Music awards, including Woman of the Year. In 2023, NME called SZA one of the most influential voices in contemporary music, and in 2025, Billboard ranked her as the 44th-greatest R&B musician of all time.
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Personal Life and Activism
SZA has been candid about her struggles with mental health and has advocated for social justice. She partnered with American Forests and tea brand Tazo to address environmental harm affecting Black and Brown communities. SZA has practiced several religious beliefs throughout her life, including Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. She is known for keeping her dating life private.
Discography
SZA's discography includes:
- EPs:
- See.SZA.Run (2012)
- S (2013)
- Z (2014)
- Studio Albums:
- Ctrl (2017)
- SOS (2022)
SZA continues to make waves in the music industry, captivating audiences with her unique sound and powerful lyrics. Her journey from a Muslim upbringing in New Jersey to a Grammy-winning artist is a testament to her talent, resilience, and dedication to her craft.
