Verified biography · current role
SZA Biography
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.
Biography · sourced and maintained
About SZA
Full name: SZA
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.
People also ask
Questions about SZA
What is SZA’s real name?
Her name is Solána Imani Rowe.
Sources: British Vogue
Where was SZA born?
She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 8, 1989, and grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey.
Sources: Apple Music · RCA Records UK
What did SZA study?
She studied marine biology at Delaware State University before leaving college.
Sources: British Vogue
How did SZA start singing?
Her brother Daniel invited her to sing hooks on his recordings; she then began developing her own songs.
Sources: Vogue
What are SZA’s studio albums?
Ctrl and SOS are her first two studio albums. LANA expands SOS; it is not presented as a separate third studio album.
Sources: Apple Music · Apple Music · Apple Music · GQ
Which books has SZA named?
She named Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth and The Power of Now as bedside books in W’s June 2017 interview.
Sources: W
Has SZA acted in a film?
She plays Alyssa in the 2025 comedy One of Them Days opposite Keke Palmer.
Sources: Sony Pictures
Who does SZA voice in CoComelon: The Movie?
Universal identifies her as Princess Harmony. Its UK page schedules the forthcoming film for February 12, 2027.
Sources: Universal Pictures UK
How many Grammy Awards has SZA won?
The Recording Academy lists seven wins and 31 nominations as checked October 2, 2026.
Sources: Recording Academy
Did SZA tour with Kendrick Lamar?
They shared the Grand National Tour in 2025; her later GQ interview discusses that stadium tour as completed work.
Sources: Associated Press · GQ
What is Not Beauty?
It is SZA’s beauty brand, introduced with lip gloss. The founder interview is a brand disclosure, not an independent product recommendation.
Sources: Vogue
What is SZA’s role at Vans?
Vans appointed her artistic director in a multiyear creative partnership in 2025.
Sources: VF Corporation
Is SZA in a publicly confirmed relationship?
The checked interviews do not establish a current partner or marital status.
Sources: British Vogue
Is there a verified personal perfume recommendation?
None found; appearances and shower gel do not establish perfume use.
Sources: Vanity Fair · Refinery29
How did SZA meet Top Dawg Entertainment?
The FADER describes her meeting Punch at a Kendrick Lamar show in 2011 while distributing clothing merchandise; recording with her brother helped her develop her own writing.
Sources: The FADER
Did SZA write songs for other artists before Ctrl?
Yes. Her credits include co-writing Feeling Myself for Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé and vocals and songwriting on Travis Scott’s Ok Alright.
Sources: i-D
Which books did SZA show in her 2026 interview?
Recent purchases: The Let Them Theory, Killing Rage and Anthem. Completion and owned editions unspecified.
Sources: i-D