Billboard Names SZA Woman Of The Year 2023

Solána Imani Rowe, more popularly known as SZA, is officially Billboard’s Woman of The Year. The star singer-songwriter has been unstoppable ever since she set foot in the industry. She went on to create history by providing her soundtrack for the famous Marvel film Black Panther 2018 early in her career. She has so far only released two studio albums, with the latest one being SOS in 2022. The album had 23 tracks on it and really showed SZA’s range when it comes to her genre. But what went into her being named Woman of The Year 2023? Let’s discuss

SZA’s Journey

SZA has been a great artist who has made her mark in the R&B genre. She has so far won 23 Grammy awards in multiple categories, including Melodic Rap Performance, Best Album, Best Song, and so many more. She is also very deeply rooted in her black culture, which is why she was the perfect choice for one of the artists working on Black Panther, a film that is overwhelmingly African-American in nature. SZA has developed a smooth flow in melodic rap that is amazing to witness. 

She is one of Billboard’s 200 chart-topping artists as well. She started off as a Marine Biology student at Delaware State University. Clearly, the subject did not interest her enough to keep her attention or motivation. She dropped out and moved to New Jersey, where she worked as a bartender and stripper after lying about her age. However, the news soon broke to her mother, who asked her to stop living in their home until she could figure herself out. 

A discouraged SZA ended up spending time sleeping on people’s couches and finding a way to survive. In her words:

“When I wouldn’t do the college thing they wanted, my mom kind of insinuated that I had to like, get out,” the 33-year-old singer said. “I started staying on people’s couches, and vibing aimlessly. That sent me into a crazy depression but also lit a fire under my a**.”

Her mother was also not particularly supportive of her dreams in the beginning. But later on, speaking in an interview with New York Times, she said:

“I wish I knew then what I know now about listening to what your child has a passion for, and supporting that, whatever it is. It’s so hard to follow your own dreams,” said Audrey Rowe, SZA’s mother.

“So many of us abandon it very young, especially if the people that we respect and love and trust think we could or should be doing something different. I’m so glad that she didn’t listen to me.”

Today, SZA is a celebrated artist which really goes to show how long passion and taking risks can take you. SOS immediately became no 1 on Billboard 200, which is a great achievement for a sophomore album. Fans and family now equally believe in her talent and potential. The artist clearly has a long line of accolades and praise awaiting her. 

Her Achievements And Praise

The album achieved 400 million streams just within the US in its very first week. This is the second-largest streaming week for any female artist in the US. Here’s what Billboard’s editorial director had to say about SZA and her amazing journey:

“Since she burst onto the scene in 2017, SZA has defied genres and continually released raw, powerful songs which have landed her music on the Billboard charts,” said Hannah Karp. “The release of her latest album, SOS, has solidified her as a distinct force in contemporary R&B, and catapulted her into superstardom. We can’t wait to honor her as Woman of the Year.”

Truly, SZA deserves everything she has earned.