Solána Imani Rowe (born November 8, 1989) was born in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. She is an American singer and songwriter. She is professionally known as SZA. She began her musical journey in the early 2010s and has since become a celebrated artist with a unique voice that has captivated audiences worldwide.
In 2012, SZA released her first extended play, See.SZA.Run, which showcased her impressive vocal range and songwriting abilities. The following year, she released her second EP, S, which further cemented her status as a rising star. SZA caught the attention of Top Dawg Entertainment, a prominent hip-hop record label, and signed with them in 2013.
SZA's third EP, Z, was released in 2014, and it was her first retail release. The EP featured collaborations with several established artists, including Chance the Rapper and Isaiah Rashad. That same year, SZA co-wrote "Feeling Myself" with Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé, which became a hit.
In 2016, SZA was featured on Rihanna's song "Consideration," which introduced her to an even wider audience. However, it was her debut studio album, Ctrl, released in 2017, that catapulted her to stardom. The album was met with universal critical acclaim and received four Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist. Ctrl was also certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and became the second longest-charting R&B album by a woman in the history of the US Billboard 200.
In addition to her solo work, SZA has collaborated with several prominent artists, including Maroon 5 on the top-ten hit single "What Lovers Do" and Kendrick Lamar on the top-ten single "All the Stars" for the Black Panther soundtrack. The latter collaboration earned her nominations for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Throughout her career, SZA has received numerous accolades and awards, including an American Music Award, a Grammy Award, a Guild of Music Supervisors Award, and two awards from Billboard Women in Music, including Woman of the Year. Her contributions to the music industry have been recognized and celebrated, and she continues to inspire and influence young artists around the world with her music and unique style. In 2020, SZA's debut album, Ctrl, was included on Rolling Stone's prestigious list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
