SZA is one of the most successful and acclaimed R&B singers of the decade, with multiple Grammy nominations, platinum records, and collaborations with artists like Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and Doja Cat. But before she became a household name, she was a self-taught musician who struggled with self-doubt, body image, and vocal issues. In this article, we will explore how SZA changed her look and sound over the years, from her early EPs to her latest album SOS.
SZA’s Early Years: A Natural Beauty with a Dreamy Style
SZA was born Solána Imani Rowe on November 8, 1989, in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Maplewood, New Jersey. She grew up in a Muslim household with a father who worked as an executive producer at CNN and a mother who was an executive at AT&T. She has an older half-sister and an older brother who is a rapper.
SZA was interested in music from a young age, influenced by artists like Billie Holiday, Björk, and Wu-Tang Clan. She also excelled in gymnastics and cheerleading in high school. However, she dropped out of college after studying marine biology and anthropology and worked various jobs while making music on the side.
SZA began her career by self-releasing two EPs: See.SZA.Run in 2012 and S in 2013. These projects showcased her dreamy and experimental style of R&B, blending soulful vocals with atmospheric beats and lyrics that reflected her personal experiences and emotions. She also developed her signature look of natural curls, freckles, and minimal makeup.
According to AllMusic, SZA caught the attention of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), the hip hop label that houses Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and Jay Rock. She signed with them in 2013 and became the first female artist on their roster.
SZA’s Breakthrough: A Trippy and Alluring Star with a Bold Edge
In 2014, SZA released her third EP and first retail release, Z, through TDE and RCA Records. The EP featured collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, and Isaiah Rashad, and debuted at number 39 on the Billboard 200 chart. The EP also marked a shift in SZA’s sound and image, as she experimented with more electronic and hip hop elements and adopted a more confident and edgy attitude.
SZA also started to change her appearance around this time, trying different hair colors, styles, and accessories. She also began to wear more makeup, especially eyeliner and lipstick. She told Elle that she learned how to apply liquid liner from Duane Reade.
In 2015, SZA continued to make waves in the music industry by co-writing songs for Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Travis Scott, and Rihanna. She also appeared on Rihanna’s album Anti as a featured artist on the song “Consideration”. She also collaborated with TDE artists on their albums, such as Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and ScHoolboy Q’s Blank Face LP.
SZA’s Debut Album: A Vulnerable and Critically Acclaimed Artist with a Glamorous Flair
In 2017, SZA released her debut studio album Ctrl to universal acclaim from critics and fans. The album featured singles like “Love Galore” with Travis Scott, “The Weekend”, “Broken Clocks”, and “Drew Barrymore”. The album explored themes of love, sex, insecurity, self-esteem, and empowerment through SZA’s candid and poetic lyrics and expressive vocals.
The album also showcased SZA’s evolution as an artist and a person. She told Vogue India that she was more thoughtful while making the album and that she learned to trust herself more. She also said that she realized how little people understood her and her music at the time.
SZA also upgraded her look for the album era. She wore more glamorous outfits, jewelry, and hairstyles for her performances, photoshoots, and videos. She also experimented with different makeup looks, such as glittery eyeshadow, bold lip colors, and false lashes.
The album earned SZA five Grammy nominations in 2018: Best New Artist, Best Urban Contemporary Album, Best R&B Song for “Supermodel”, Best R&B Performance for “The Weekend”, and Best Rap/Sung Performance for “Love Galore”. She also won several awards from other organizations, such as the Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist, the BET Award for Best New Artist, and the Billboard Women in Music Rulebreaker Award.
SZA’s Vocal Surgery: A Scary Setback with a Happy Ending
In 2018, SZA faced a major challenge when she suffered from swollen vocal cords that threatened to end her singing career. She had to cancel several tour dates and undergo vocal surgery to repair the damage. She also revealed on social media that she felt guilty and depressed about letting down her fans and herself.
However, SZA did not give up on her passion and worked hard to recover her voice. She thanked her doctors and fans for their support and said that she was blessed to say that her voice was not permanently damaged. She also returned to the stage and performed at various festivals and events, such as the Firefly Music Festival, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and the Oscars.
SZA also continued to release new music and collaborate with other artists. She teamed up with Kendrick Lamar for the song “All the Stars” for the Black Panther soundtrack, which earned them a Golden Globe nomination and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. She also worked with Maroon 5, Lorde, Cardi B, Justin Timberlake, and Doja Cat.
SZA’s Second Album: A Highly Anticipated and Record-Breaking Release with a Daring Twist
In 2022, SZA finally released her second studio album SOS after teasing it for years. The album featured singles like “Hit Different” with Ty Dolla $ign, “Good Days”, “I Hate U”, and “Kill Bill”. The album received rave reviews from critics and fans, who praised SZA’s growth as a songwriter, singer, and producer. The album also broke several records, such as the biggest streaming week ever for an R&B album and the longest-running number-one album by a female R&B artist on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album also surprised many listeners with its lyrics, which seemed to confirm some of the rumors that SZA had undergone plastic surgery. On the title track, SZA sings, “So classic, that ass so fat, it look natural, it’s not.” According to People, fans have long speculated that SZA had a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) among other procedures. However, SZA has not explicitly addressed the topic in interviews or on social media.
SZA also changed her appearance for the album era. She dyed her hair blonde and wore more revealing and colorful outfits. She also appeared in the Fenty Beauty campaign for Mattemoiselle, Rihanna’s line of lipsticks. She told Fashion Magazine that she admired Rihanna’s beauty and style.
SZA is undoubtedly one of the most influential and talented R&B artists of our time. She has proven her versatility and creativity in both her music and her beauty choices. She has also inspired millions of fans with her honesty and resilience. We can’t wait to see what she does next!
