‘Love Galore’ singer SZA may be accustomed to just that from adoring fans who are impatiently awaiting the follow-up to her GRAMMY-nominated, 2017 debut album, ‘CTRL.’
However, while hard-at-work on the LP (reportedly due this year), the 29-year-old is admonishing critics who are limiting her style to the realm of R&B – a gripe sung by many-a-Black-artist.
As we reported here, SZA sizzled on the pages of the new ‘Wonderland’ magazine and now – thanks to quotes lifted from the accompanying feature article – is sizzling in the mouths of detractors who argue she may be overstating her importance in music.
See what we mean inside:
Taking to the mag, SZA revealed her early musical influences were far from R&B staples.
“I don’t know why, but I was very much an “MMMBop” person,” she says. “I loved that boy band energy. It was intoxicating.”
Later going on to list names like Ella Fitzgerald, Jamiroquai, Björk, and Limp Bizkit among her favorites, the songstress questioned why (given her influences) her eclectic sound is only branded R&B.
“Nobody does that to white people at all, ever. No one ever does that to Adele or Justin Bieber when they’re wholeheartedly singing R&B. Or Björk, where nobody’s sure what the f**k she’s singing, but it’s energy and nobody’s concerned.”
Her criticism didn’t stop there:
“It’s like the only genre that we’re allowed to own is R&B and soul, and even then you might get bumped outta that category by somebody with fairer skin and a better marketing team. But I can’t pretend it’s not exciting to see someone who isn’t black execute so exceptionally well. It’s mystifying; the soul is an energy. Like Nai Palm from Hiatus Kaiyote, she’s a f**king force to be reckoned with. She’s one of my favourite voices of soul right now, next to Ari Lennox. R&B is too fickle. I spent too much time growing up on just as much Imogen Heap, and listening to Comfort Eagle by Cake and vibing for people to call me a ‘queen of R&B’. Why can’t I just be a queen, period?”
*****
Click here to see more from her stunning ‘Wonderland’ shoot.
Who is calling her queen with only a couple of albums anyway? smh
Her “couple of albums” are some of the MOST beautiful works of music I’ve ever heard in my life. And that’s all you need to be referred to as “Queen” or “King” consistent, genuine, and exceptional good music & talent. So idk what you’re talking about but you sound like a ignorant basic.
yes yes Queen! Drama Queen, Drag Queen, Flop Queen. JT flopped the troll song coz of her. Can’t stop the feeling went #1. And that flop side tanked coz SZA was on it.
because you sing r&b music…?
Now cee-zarr, gurl
I love you en all but who was Actually ever calling you this in the first place ??
Hunny you are NOT SUMMER WALKER
the true queen..RELAX
…………. Im going to assume you were joking with this comment lol. What you meant to say was Summer Walker IS NOT SZA. That’s what you meant to say. No shade. Each one of SZA’s albums puts things in perspective on a soul level & there is no competition. But you did try. 💅🏼
Oh plz zzz has no top ten hits and summer does, also summer can actually SING
Shall I remind you sza CANT SING LIVE
Queen of what??
Give it up zzz is boringggg
Zzzzzzzzz
SW>Zzz
Errybody’s royalty nowadays.
F THET!
Ima be a peasant 4 Halloween.
For real????? Gurl u only released one so-so album, no top 10 hits, U don’t have pretty face like Beyoncé, u can’t dance like Janet, u can’t sing like Whitney. Queen? Queen of food stamp
She definitely has a pretty face.
its concept of beauty revolves around Crowmilla Ratface of all people. don’t even bother
Damn! Y’all have special taste. Sorry she ain’t pretty. Random street corner chick.
@marilyn 😂😂😂😂 their prefer ghettoness for real 🤣🤣🤣 I prefer Ariana over NOman- ni😴😜
Normani should’ve joined SZA & Megan da t***** for hooker squad. Gang gang! A bunch of welfare queens
But you’re Shayla Queen hunnie…did you forget? 😂 Off the meds again? 💊 🤣
Fancy CSI BISH!!!! I had no clue Shayla da Skidmark and S****** Blonde 2.0 were the same troll. thank you!
@Paulo, you know what, that has a ring to it 😂 Fancy CSI BISH 🤣🤳🏽 Yaas Paulo, Shayla Skidmark is S******, Clarkson, Dear Black People, Marilyn monHOE and took my name too….and that’s just to name a FEW…chile, the WHOREE is going crazy 😂
The people under this comment are so deluded, miserable and hateful….. it’s beyond me. “Random street corner chick”? WHAT GIRL ON ANY STREET CORNER LOOKS LIKE SZA. ID LIKE TO MEET HER
Seeing that people are coming out, i’m really Paulo.
Marilyn Nobody….. WHO TF ARE YOU?
YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO SHADE SZA. ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED, GIFTED, SOULFUL & SWEETEST WOMAN IN MUSIC FOR ALMOST A DECADE NOW….. YOU ARE DISGUSTING. EAT FECES
And you’re throwing shade at people on food stamp when MANY PEOPLE USE FOOD STAMPS. ESPECIALLY NOW. YOU’RE GROSS AND IGNORANT. GO FIND YOURSELF YOU MISERABLE LOST SOUL.
AND FYI ARE YOU SLOW OR A CHILD? NOT EVERY GREAT ARTIST DANCES. NOT EVERY SINGER BELTS WITH LOUD VOCALS. YOU’RE SO IGNORANT I CAN VOMIT.
Somebody is delusional like normani. Why every black girl wants to be Beyoncé so bad???? Maybe next life. Fancy bish, tay tay, Paulo…. they are all the same troll. Jasmine I know it’s you. U trashmine, TROLLMINE. Go F yourself in the Yo bum a-s-s. Stupid psycho c-u-n-t
I bet u r the VIP of food stamp. Get in line bish. Grab your can food & milk before all ran out. Low life!
“Low life” the irony coming from a demon who revels in shading the poor, needy or homeless. Especially while millions of people are out of work. You’re the type of low life who does nothing but put other people down because THAT IS GENUINELY how miserable you are and how you get your kicks. That’s how LOW your self esteem truly is. I have no doubt this is who you are in real life, because I’m seeing your thoughts. I’d rather be whatever you THINK of me. Than to be you even for 1 day. You disgust me.
Absolutely nobody calls her queen on rnb on a large enough scale for her to even make this comment…. she buying into her own hype
Delusional is a heck of a drug…..
1 album and she is labeled the Queen of R&B. #loweredexpectations
People call me a queen, a drag queen of course.
Hello RuPaul. Take normani with u.
Don’t be a drag just be a Queen
People call me a queen, a drag queen of course.
@Clarkson, you wish you had flavor but you don’t 😂
When it comes to R&B in mainstream music…… SZA & Jhene Aiko are at the top. For me personally. If SZA had ANY type of compensation it would be Jhene and that’s just not fair I would never compare either of them to each other or anyone else. I would almost add FKA Twigs & Tinashe too but Twigs is MOSTLY soul and Tinashe sings pop as well as R&B and soul she’s multi-genre. So Jhene & SZA are the only ones I care about who fit the description as “Queens of R&B”. Summer Walker fits as well I just personally never cared for her music nor Kehlani, but they are up there as far as options.
ATTN: where is Clarkson’s b*tchass?! He’s being MIA since Canola’s BROmance tour was CANCELLED! Come out, come out wherever you are.
Hiding behind fake screen names like the 🤡 you are
Sorry gurl but clarkson doesn’t wantchu and Normani 🤣🤣🤣🤣 but dancing with stranger was very cute
Lmao. Well, they were calling her the queen of r&b during the era of her debut album. But she needs to also take into consideration the type of music she sings too which is far from any Björk song I’ve heard.
Queen of what? Even Normani is the flop whisperer so. I will put my bet on this chick than normanly
She’s pretty-er than Normani of course
She will be the next big thing after lizzo
Why people are slamming her for? The young lady wants to be successful and so what?
Always complaining, never releasing new music. “What, my album is great! Why can’t my album just BE! You don’t have to label my album as great! My album is many things! Don’t compliment me until you have figured out exactly how I want to be complimented! WAAAAAAAHHH!
Wow SMH😱