SZA Slams Being Called ‘Queen of R&B’: ‘Why Can’t I Just Be a Queen?’

Published: Thursday 9th Jul 2020 by Rashad

‘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.

[Photo Credit: Blair Caldwell/’Wonderland’]

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  1. plain ol me July 9, 2020

    Who is calling her queen with only a couple of albums anyway? smh

    • Cinnabun July 9, 2020

      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.

      • marilyn monh-O-E July 10, 2020

        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.

  2. stan July 9, 2020

    because you sing r&b music…?

  3. No sir July 9, 2020

    Now cee-zarr, gurl
    I love you en all but who was Actually ever calling you this in the first place ??

  4. Ah well July 9, 2020

    Hunny you are NOT SUMMER WALKER
    the true queen..RELAX

    • Cinnabun July 9, 2020

      …………. 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. 💅🏼

      • grapehut July 9, 2020

        Oh plz zzz has no top ten hits and summer does, also summer can actually SING
        Shall I remind you sza CANT SING LIVE

      • Grapehut July 9, 2020

        Queen of what??
        Give it up zzz is boringggg
        Zzzzzzzzz

        SW>Zzz

  5. PinotNoir July 9, 2020

    Errybody’s royalty nowadays.

    F THET!

    Ima be a peasant 4 Halloween.

  6. marilyn monh-O-E July 9, 2020

    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

    • Interac July 9, 2020

      She definitely has a pretty face.

      • Paulo July 9, 2020

        its concept of beauty revolves around Crowmilla Ratface of all people. don’t even bother

      • marilyn monh-O-E July 9, 2020

        Damn! Y’all have special taste. Sorry she ain’t pretty. Random street corner chick.

      • Joint 888 July 10, 2020

        @marilyn 😂😂😂😂 their prefer ghettoness for real 🤣🤣🤣 I prefer Ariana over NOman- ni😴😜

    • marilyn monh-O-E July 9, 2020

      Normani should’ve joined SZA & Megan da t***** for hooker squad. Gang gang! A bunch of welfare queens

      • Fancy BISH July 9, 2020

        But you’re Shayla Queen hunnie…did you forget? 😂 Off the meds again? 💊 🤣

      • Paulo July 9, 2020

        Fancy CSI BISH!!!! I had no clue Shayla da Skidmark and S****** Blonde 2.0 were the same troll. thank you!

      • Fancy BISH July 9, 2020

        @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 😂

      • Cinnabun July 9, 2020

        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

      • Fancy BISH July 9, 2020

        Seeing that people are coming out, i’m really Paulo.

    • Cinnabun July 9, 2020

      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

    • Cinnabun July 9, 2020

      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.

      • marilyn monh-O-E July 9, 2020

        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

      • marilyn monh-O-E July 9, 2020

        I bet u r the VIP of food stamp. Get in line bish. Grab your can food & milk before all ran out. Low life!

    • Cinnabun July 9, 2020

      “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.

  7. tyty July 9, 2020

    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

  8. Ratexxx July 9, 2020

    Delusional is a heck of a drug…..

  9. Perry Reid July 9, 2020

    1 album and she is labeled the Queen of R&B. #loweredexpectations

  10. Fancy BISH July 9, 2020

    People call me a queen, a drag queen of course.

    • marilyn monh-O-E July 9, 2020

      Hello RuPaul. Take normani with u.

    • DojaCat Say So July 10, 2020

      Don’t be a drag just be a Queen

  11. Fancy BISH July 9, 2020

    People call me a queen, a drag queen of course.

    • Fancy BISH July 9, 2020

      @Clarkson, you wish you had flavor but you don’t 😂

  12. Cinnabun July 9, 2020

    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.

  13. Only Facts July 9, 2020

    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

    • I Love It When U Call Me Señorita July 10, 2020

      Sorry gurl but clarkson doesn’t wantchu and Normani 🤣🤣🤣🤣 but dancing with stranger was very cute

  14. High Price July 10, 2020

    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.

  15. Joint888 July 10, 2020

    Queen of what? Even Normani is the flop whisperer so. I will put my bet on this chick than normanly

  16. Lizzo & KFC July 10, 2020

    She’s pretty-er than Normani of course
    She will be the next big thing after lizzo

  17. Taylor Swift 1989 July 10, 2020

    Why people are slamming her for? The young lady wants to be successful and so what?

  18. Misty Knight July 10, 2020

    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!

  19. I wish I could pretend I didn’t need ya But every touch is ooh la la la It’s true, la la la Ooh, I should be running Oh you keep me coming for ya July 10, 2020

    Wow SMH😱

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