Portrait · Erin Cazes / The Come Up Show / CC BY 2.0

SZA

Singer, songwriter and actor

Born 1989

SZA is the American singer and songwriter Solána Imani Rowe. Born in St. Louis and raised in Maplewood, New Jersey, she studied marine biology at Delaware State University before leaving college. As a child she competed in gymnastics and later joined her school’s cheerleading team. Early singing on her brother Daniel’s recordings led her to write melodies and lyrics of her own. In 2011, while distributing clothing merchandise at a Kendrick Lamar show, she met TDE president Punch. Independent EPs See.SZA.Run and S preceded her signing to Top Dawg Entertainment and the Z EP. She also co-wrote Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé’s Feeling Myself and Travis Scott’s Ok Alright before her major-label debut. Ctrl brought candid, conversational songwriting into an eclectic mix of R&B, soul and alternative music; SOS extended that range with songs including Kill Bill, Snooze and Nobody Gets Me. Collaborations span Kendrick Lamar, Doja Cat, Phoebe Bridgers and Drake. The LANA expansion develops SOS rather than constituting a third studio album. Her work with Lamar includes All the Stars, the Grand National Tour and Luther, which won two Grammy categories in 2026. She played Alyssa opposite Keke Palmer in One of Them Days, performed on Sesame Street and joined the forthcoming CoComelon film as Princess Harmony. Beyond recording, she founded Not Beauty and became Vans’ artistic director through a creative partnership. Her recent work includes a guest appearance on Victoria Monét’s Frequency of Love.

Verified identityCore facts checked against named sources.

Keep exploring

Connected people

ConnectionKendrick LamarCollaborator on All the Stars, Luther and the Grand National Tour.

ConnectionKeke PalmerCo-star in One of Them Days.

ConnectionPhoebe BridgersCollaborator on Ghost in the Machine.

Official records · wins and honours

Awards & Honours

Selected recognition linked to the awarding organisation or primary record.

2026
Recording AcademyCompetitive win
Best Melodic Rap Performance
Luther
Official record
2026
Recording AcademyCompetitive win
Record of the Year
Luther
Official record
2026
Recording AcademyNomination
Nominee — Best Traditional R&B Performance
Crybaby
Official record
2026
Recording AcademyNomination
Nominee — Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
30 for 30
Official record
2025
Recording AcademyCompetitive win
Best R&B Song
Saturn
Official record
2025
American Music AwardsCompetitive win
Favorite Female R&B Artist
SZA
Official record
2025
American Music AwardsCompetitive win
Favorite R&B Song
Saturn
Official record
2024
Recording AcademyCompetitive win
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Ghost in the Machine
Official record
2024
Recording AcademyCompetitive win
Best Progressive R&B Album
SOS
Official record
2024
Recording AcademyCompetitive win
Best R&B Song
Snooze
Official record
2024
Recording AcademyNomination
Nominee — Song of the Year
Kill Bill
Official record
2024
Songwriters Hall of FameIndustry honor
Hal David Starlight Award
SZA
Official record
2024
BMIIndustry honor
Champion Award
SZA
Official record
2022
Recording AcademyCompetitive win
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Kiss Me More
Official record
2019
Recording AcademyNomination
Nominee — Record of the Year
All the Stars
Official record
2018
Recording AcademyNomination
Nominee — Best R&B Song
Supermodel
Official record
2018
Recording AcademyNomination
Nominee — Best Rap/Sung Performance
Love Galore
Official record

Best Melodic Rap Performance

Record of the Year

Nominee — Best Traditional R&B Performance

Nominee — Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Best R&B Song

Favorite Female R&B Artist

Favorite R&B Song

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Best Progressive R&B Album

Best R&B Song

Nominee — Song of the Year

Hal David Starlight Award

Champion Award

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Nominee — Record of the Year

Nominee — Best R&B Song

Nominee — Best Rap/Sung Performance