Artist, Actress and Award Winner are just some of the titles gracing SZA as she enters into 2025. Sza has been recognized as an alternative R&B musician since her debut album “Ctrl” in 2017. Since then she has released two more studio albums that both contain award-winning songs. Now she is being celebrated more than ever this year with her new movie, the announcement of her stadium tour, her upcoming Superbowl performance, and the multitude of successes celebrated on this year’s charts and award shows.
Her first success of the year was from the continued affection given to an album she released in 2022. “SOS” is the title of this acclaimed album which celebrated its 100th week as the number-one R&B Album this January. This album has held its place on Billboard’s top R&B album charts and on January 11, it achieved crossing over the hundreds mark. With last week’s Grammy Award show, she’s had even more of a reason to celebrate her recent musical successes. SZA took home her fifth Grammy this year for the song “Saturn” and its title as the Best R&B Song of the Year.
With the popularity of both “SOS” and “Saturn” she teased a deluxe version of the album titled “LANA,” which stirred anticipation among her fans for months until its release and continues to do so as more extensions to the album are being announced. Since Kendrick Lamar announced SZA as his guest performer for the Super Bowl, which takes place this Sunday, Feb. 9, there has been even more excitement regarding the upcoming performance. With all of this continuous buzz around her artistic works both past and present, the praise for SZA ’s abilities has only amplified. Even as she works to experiment in different artistic roles, the recognition she is receiving as a musical artist proves the extent of her talent and creative ability.
The level of acknowledgment she has been receiving for her work and upcoming events from mainstream media has not gone unnoticed by her long-standing fans.
Ricardo Gaitàn, an early childhood education major at American River College, has never turned away from an opportunity to express his appreciation of SZA and her work.
“Both in her music and personality, I feel like I haven’t talked to one person that dislikes her, her ideologies, or her method to the madness,” Gaitàn said. “I’m happy for all of her success and her winning her fifth Grammy this year, hopefully she’ll win many more!”
As the year started off with praise for her past work, the recognition has only continued with the success of her newer work. SZA introduced her acting debut alongside popular actress Keke Palmer in their buddy comedy film, “One of Them Days.” The movie was released January 17, and quickly rose in box office charts as it earned $11.6 million in North American theaters. With “actress” added to the list of titles SZA has worked for, fans are eager to know if she plans on furthering her acting appearances or if she will experiment with other artistic titles. Those who experienced this comedic joyride of a movie and may not be as familiar fans of SZA, have now been introduced to her work in a new way.
Bradley Cobos is an avid movie fan who had the chance to see the movie in theaters during its premiere week, but his unbiased mindset may have provided a different experience from the typical SZA fan.
“I thought she was alright, she was pretty funny,” Cobos said. “I did have a few laughs with the stuff she said.”
Although Cobos didn’t leave the movie a hardcore SZA fan, he got the experience of seeing her as a comedic actress and presented in a new light than he’d seen her in before.
As SZA steps out into these new artistic lights, she remains true to her passion as a musician and a performer. With a stadium tour and a Super Bowl guest performance, this year is already turning out to be an influential year for SZA. Kendrick Lamar and SZA are expected to perform in New Orleans for the Super Bowl halftime show. Fans of either artist are aware of the pair’s avid past of musical collaborations, including their upcoming joint tour. The Grand National Tour will sweep North America this year with both artists headlining and performing their collaborated songs. With this curation of upcoming performances, it is reasonable for fans to believe that the best of SZA as a performer has only yet to come.
The celebration of her past and present musical accomplishments are continuously being recognized, and as she furthers her artistic reach there is no doubt that these celebrations will continue. Fans now look toward the future of her creative influence as they anticipate what’s to come in this upcoming year of SZA.
