Thanks to her blockbuster 2022 album ‘SOS,‘ the long-awaited follow-up to 2017’s ‘CTRL,’ R&B diva SZA (born Solana Rowe) is the name on the lips of many-an-industry critic as they roll out their 2023 year-end lists.
Having already made headlines for being crowned Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop artist of the year as well as runner-up for female artist of the year (second to Taylor Swift), Rowe’s record-breaking last 12 months have also led her to the throne of other top publications like ‘New York Times,’ ‘LA Times,’ and ‘Rolling Stone.’
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Commercially, ‘SOS’ was the one to beat in 2023.
After debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 late last year with the largest streaming week for an R&B album ever, SZA’s sophomore project spent a history-making ten non-consecutive weeks atop the chart. The feat not only made it the longest-running chart-topping female effort of the decade, but also put it in all-time record books alongside Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
On the Hot 100, thanks to her inaugural #1 hit ‘Kill Bill‘ as well as hits ‘Snooze‘ and other smashes from the critically acclaimed opus, Rowe ran up to or past milestones set by other music royals like Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, and Janet Jackson.
For those reasons and others, ‘NYT,’ ‘LA Times,’ and ‘Rolling Stone‘ respectively named ‘SOS’ the year’s overall top album.
Solana is undoubtedly hoping for a similar response at the 2024 GRAMMYs as she’s been nominated for Album of the Year and eight other awards at next year’s ceremony.
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