SZA Biography

SZA is an American singer-songwriter who released three EPs and was featured on ScHoolboy Q’s album Oxymoron.

Early Life

Solana Rowe was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 8, 1990, but was raised in New Jersey. She grew up as an Orthodox Muslim and was often bullied, forcing her to change schools frequently. Rowe planned to go to college and become a biologist but her plan never came to fruition.

Career Beginnings

SZA was first introduced to Top Dawg Entertainment by a friend who gave her songs to the CEO of the company, Terrence “Punch” Henderson. She got into music, not thinking anything would come of it. In 2012 she released her debut EP, called See.SZA.Run. The next year, followed the second one, S which enjoyed positive feedback from critics. SZA was signed to Top Dawg Entertainment the same year. After a small tour with Swedish band Little Dragon, SZA was a featured guest on Isaiah Rashad’s debut EP, Cilvia Demo and on Schoolboy Q’s debut LP, Oxymoron.

Success

In 2014, she released the EP Z, followed by the lead single Babylon. The album was able to break into the R&B UK and US charts. Later that year, SZA embarked on her first tour, called Enter The Void tour. She was a co-writer and featured artist on Rihanna’s latest album Anti on the track Consideration. SZA performed the song for the first time at the 2016 Brit Awards, along with Rihanna. Initially entitled A, she revealed her debut album, CTRL which was set for release in February but the album is yet to be issued.

Photo credit: That Grape Juice