Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA, was born on November 8, 1989, making her 36 years old. Standing 5 feet 4 inches tall, she has built a career that reshaped contemporary R&B music. According to Celebrity Net Worth, her estimated net worth is $12 million from music sales, streaming royalties, touring, and brand partnerships.
SZA’s music blends R&B, hip-hop, indie, and soul into something distinct. Her breakthrough came with Ctrl (2017) and solidified with SOS (2022), both earning critical praise and commercial success. She’s won five Grammy Awards from 26 nominations, proving her influence extends beyond streaming numbers into lasting artistic impact.
Quick Facts About SZA
| Bio/Wiki | Details |
| Full Name | Solána Imani Rowe |
| Stage Name | SZA (Savior/Sovereign Zig-Zag Allah) |
| Born | November 8, 1989 (age 36) |
| Birthplace | St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| Height | 5’4″ (1.63 m) |
| Occupation | Singer, Songwriter, Actress |
| Genres | Alternative R&B, Contemporary R&B, Hip-Hop, Soul |
| Years Active | 2011–present |
| Label | Top Dawg Entertainment, RCA Records |
| Net Worth | $12 million (as of November 2024) |
| Grammy Awards | 5 wins from 26 nominations |
| Major Albums | Ctrl (2017), SOS (2022), Lana (2024) |
SZA Early Life and Family Background
SZA grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey, with an interfaith family. According to People, her mother Audrey, a former AT&T executive, is Christian, while her father Abdul, a former CNN video producer, is Muslim. Her father attended her mother’s church for special occasions, while her mother accompanied him to the mosque for Jum’ah.
This dual-faith household shaped her worldview and artistic perspective. In her interview with Muslim Girl, SZA shared that she wore a hijab during elementary and early middle school but stopped after September 11, 2001, due to fears of Islamophobic bullying. That experience became central to how she navigates identity in her music.
SZA has an older half-sister Panya, a brother Daniel who raps as Manhattan, and a niece Carolyn who also makes music. Her mother nicknamed her “Chickabee” after the 1994 film Nell, telling the New York Times she was a “highly energetic” child. She considers her maternal grandmother Norma her best friend.
The Meaning Behind “SZA”
The stage name draws from the Nation of Islam’s Supreme Alphabet, inspired by Wu-Tang Clan rappers RZA and GZA. The “S” stands for Savior or Sovereign, “Z” represents Zig-Zag, and “A” stands for Allah. This name reflects how she blends spiritual searching with artistic identity.
Her father introduced her to jazz legends like Miles Davis and Billie Holiday with strict no-TV rules at home. When her older sister Panya moved in, she brought Wu-Tang Clan and Lil Jon records that expanded SZA’s musical exposure. A gymnastics teammate’s iPod later introduced her to Common, Mos Def, and Björk.
These diverse influences created the eclectic sound that defines her work. The name itself signals her refusal to fit into predetermined categories, whether religious, cultural, or musical.
SZA Education and Path to Music
SZA attended Columbia High School, competing on gymnastics, cheerleading, and dance teams. According to IMDB, she ranked as one of the best gymnasts in the country during her teenage years. After graduating in 2008, she tried three colleges before enrolling at Delaware State University to study marine biology.
She dropped out in her final semester. Her mother suggested she move out when college didn’t work, which led to SZA staying on friends’ couches. She worked various jobs to survive, including lying about her age to bartend and dance at strip clubs.
Her mother Audrey later told the NYT she wishes she’d known “about listening to what your child has a passion for” instead of pushing traditional paths. “I’m so glad that she didn’t listen to me,” she admitted, recognizing how difficult it is to follow creative dreams when facing family pressure.
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Breaking Into the Music Industry
SZA’s music career began in 2011 when she worked for clothing brand 10Deep at a Kendrick Lamar concert. Top Dawg Entertainment co-president Terrence “Punch” Henderson heard her mixtapes a friend was playing and stayed in touch. She independently released See.SZA.Run (2012) and S (2013) before signing with TDE in 2013 as the label’s first female artist.
The Guardian praised See.SZA.Run‘s track “Country,” comparing her to Frank Ocean and The Weeknd. S featured “Ice Moon” and samples from horror film Rosemary’s Baby, establishing her as an artist willing to take risks. These EPs caught industry attention because they sounded unlike anything else in R&B at the time.
Her signing to TDE was groundbreaking for a label known primarily for male hip-hop artists. It signaled the label’s willingness to expand beyond its core sound and gave SZA the creative freedom to develop her unique approach.
Ctrl: The Breakthrough Album
SZA released Ctrl on June 9, 2017, under TDE and RCA Records. The album explored self-doubt, relationship dynamics, and personal agency with unprecedented honesty for mainstream R&B. Its lo-fi, psychedelic production challenged genre conventions while remaining accessible enough to earn five Grammy nominations in 2018.
Ctrl placed on numerous year-end best-of lists and established SZA beyond niche R&B circles. The album’s raw vulnerability resonated with listeners who rarely heard such authentic expressions in popular music. She collaborated with Maroon 5 on “What Lovers Do” (2017), expanding her reach to pop audiences.
Touring demands took a toll—she pulled out of TDE’s Championship Tour in May 2018 due to swollen vocal cords. She tweeted they were permanently damaged, which turned out false, and returned to perform at Delaware’s Firefly Music Festival that June.
SZA Major Collaborations and Awards
Between Ctrl and her second album, SZA built credibility through strategic collaborations. She co-wrote and performed on Rihanna’s “Consideration” (2016), then worked with Kendrick Lamar on “All the Stars” (2018) for the Black Panther soundtrack. That song earned her Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.
Her collaboration with Doja Cat on “Kiss Me More” (2021) won her first Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo Performance. According to the Recording Academy, this marked a turning point in mainstream acceptance. She also worked with Justin Timberlake on “The Other Side” from Trolls World Tour (2020) and Drake on “Slime You Out” (2023), which topped the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2024, the Songwriters Hall of Fame gave her the Hal David Starlight Award, recognizing her songwriting for artists including Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Travis Scott, Schoolboy Q, and Rihanna. Her influence extends beyond her own performances into shaping contemporary R&B as a whole.
SOS: Record-Breaking Success
SZA released SOS on December 9, 2022, and it shattered expectations. Billboard reported (March 2023) that the album became the first by a woman to spend 100 weeks in the Billboard 200’s top ten. It also broke the record for the longest-running US top-ten by a Black musician.
Billboard charts confirm “Kill Bill” reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 and ranked as the third best-selling song of 2023. The album’s eclectic sound—jumping between R&B, rock, pop, and hip-hop—proved genre-blending wasn’t a gimmick but her natural artistic state. At the 2024 Grammy Awards, she entered with nine nominations, ultimately winning Best Progressive R&B Album for SOS, Best R&B Song for “Snooze,” and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Ghost In The Machine” featuring Phoebe Bridgers.
Just before Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, she released SOS Deluxe: Lana with four new songs. This marked the second expanded version, keeping the album in cultural conversation more than two years after its initial release. Songs “Saturn” and “30 for 30” both hit the top ten.
Recent Achievements and Tours
In February 2025, “Saturn” won SZA the Grammy for Best R&B Song, her fifth Grammy win from 26 career nominations. Her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, “Luther,” became her longest-running US number-one single. At Super Bowl LIX, she joined Lamar onstage as a special guest, performing “Luther” and “All the Stars” for millions of viewers.
Starting in April 2025, she and Kendrick Lamar embarked on the Grand National Tour, which became the highest-grossing co-headlining tour in history. This surpassed previous records and proved both artists’ combined drawing power. The tour visited stadiums across North America with elaborate production.
She’d previously headlined the 2023 SOS Tour across Europe, the United States, and Canada, her first concert series in arenas. The Grand National Tour represented a different scale, cementing her status as both a critical favorite and commercial powerhouse.
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Challenging Genre Labels
SZA has spoken about how the music industry categorizes Black artists restrictively. In one interview, she said: “The only reason I’m defined as an R&B artist is because I’m Black. It’s almost a little reductive because it doesn’t allow space to be anything else or try anything else. Justin Bieber is not considered an R&B artist; he is a pop artist who makes R&B, folk music, or whatever his heart desires.”
When asked how she defines her sound, she explained: “I don’t necessarily box myself into anything. I’m just trying to make music, trying to vibe out and enjoy the experience.” This approach has influenced younger artists who refuse to stay in industry-created lanes.
The success of SOS—which moves freely between genres—proves audiences want honest expression over genre purity. Her willingness to address industry racism openly has sparked conversations about how marketing and criticism limit Black artists’ creative freedom.
SZA Spiritual Practice and Beliefs
Due to her interfaith upbringing, SZA has practiced several religious beliefs throughout her life. She believes in a “higher power or presence that’s running and moving the world like a well-oiled machine,” regardless of specific doctrine. She has practiced and identified with both Christianity and Islam, while also incorporating Hindu practices.
In an interview with Muslim Girl, she explained her parents’ faiths have integrated: “It’s like the belief in one God, all the pillars of Islam et cetera, and I think those are ideas that will never leave me, those make sense in my spirit.” She said she’d love to wear hijab but feels it wouldn’t align with her stage presence and music videos.
She practices meditation regularly, hosting an online session with Lizzo on Instagram Live in 2020 where she played a Tibetan singing bowl. In 2025, she went to a silent retreat in India, avoiding social media for over a week while practicing samyama. She wears a Linga Bhairavi pendant from the Isha Foundation and does yoga to maintain wellness.
Acting Debut and Creative Expansion
SZA made her acting debut in 2025, starring alongside Keke Palmer in the comedy film One of Them Days. This demonstrated her versatility beyond music and signaled interest in building a multidimensional creative portfolio. The move follows patterns of artists like Rihanna and Janelle Monáe, who’ve successfully worked in both music and film.
Acting offers another storytelling outlet without the personal vulnerability her music requires. It allows her to inhabit characters rather than expose herself, which may provide relief from the emotional intensity of songwriting and performing.
Her songwriting for major artists and the Songwriters Hall of Fame recognition show her influence extends beyond her own discography. These behind-the-scenes contributions demonstrate how she shapes contemporary music at multiple levels.
Style Evolution and Brand Partnerships
SZA’s fashion choices constantly evolve, reflecting her playful approach to self-expression. She once said to Daze Digital: “I just love switching up how I feel. I swear sometimes I know this is who I am, this is my uniform. And then it’ll be something completely different a week later.”
In May 2023, she became the face of Australian sunglasses brand Quay in a campaign titled “Sides of SZA.” Her guest edit featured eight different sunglasses reflecting different aspects of her personality. She’s also famous for her Crocs obsession, telling People she wears them “at all times and anywhere” because she can “be comfortable and be cute at the same time.”
She’s collaborated with Crocs on two custom lines—May 2022’s earthy pattern with grounding totems, and December 2022’s distressed denim pattern with nostalgic charms. When she began her career, she weighed 190 pounds and wore only her dad’s big t-shirts on stage. At the Dove-curated “Girl Collective” summit, she explained the aesthetic switch came from her own desire to evolve.
Awards and Recognition
As of November 2025, SZA has won five Grammy Awards from 26 nominations, a Brit Award, three American Music Awards, a Guild of Music Supervisors Award, and two Billboard Women in Music awards including Woman of the Year. These accolades reflect both critical respect and commercial success.
Her Grammy wins span multiple categories: Best Pop Duo Performance for “Kiss Me More” with Doja Cat (2022), Best Progressive R&B Album for SOS (2024), Best R&B Song for “Snooze” (2024), Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Ghost In The Machine” (2024), and Best R&B Song for “Saturn” (2025). Each win validated different aspects of her artistry—pop crossover, album cohesion, songwriting craft, and R&B innovation.
She told PEOPLE exclusively about her “Snooze” Grammy win: “I was just very shocked and very confused and just trying to not miss my award.” In her acceptance speech, she thanked her parents from the stage: “I came really, really far and I can’t believe this is happening and it feels very fake.”
SZA Net Worth and Financial Success
According to Celebrity Net Worth (November 2025), SZA’s estimated net worth stands at $12 million. This reflects her success across music sales, streaming royalties, touring revenue, brand partnerships, and songwriting royalties for other artists. The Grand National Tour likely added significantly to her wealth, though exact earnings weren’t publicly disclosed as of November 2025.
Her financial trajectory is notable given she started from difficult circumstances—crashing on couches after dropping out of college, working multiple jobs to survive. Streaming royalties form a significant portion of her income. SOS spent over 100 weeks in the Billboard 200’s top ten, generating substantial streaming numbers across platforms.
“Kill Bill” alone was the third best-selling song of 2023, translating to considerable royalty payments. Her catalog continues earning as new listeners discover Ctrl and her earlier EPs through streaming platforms and social media recommendations.
Future Interests Beyond Music
In recent interviews, SZA has expressed interest in sustainable agriculture, particularly volcanic soil. She explained: “I’m really into volcanic soil right now. If you look at the vegetables and the people that grow in places which have volcanic soil—like New Zealand and Hawaii—they are insane. They’re just beautiful and incredibly healthy.”
She wants to learn about “building a community, mutual aid, vegetables and shipping” and finding ways to duplicate volcanic soil’s nutritional benefits. “Soil is the basis of all of our humanity and our health,” she said. This interest suggests she sees a future beyond celebrity, rooted in tangible contributions to food systems and community resilience.
When asked about her future, she said: “I think everything excites me right now. Even the fear of the future is exciting. I guess genuinely not knowing what is next—I have no idea where I’m headed.” That openness to possibilities defines her approach to both life and art.
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Cultural Impact and Legacy
SZA represents a shift in contemporary music—an artist who refuses categorization while achieving mainstream success. Her influence extends beyond chart performance; she’s created space for artists to be authentically multifaceted and unapologetically themselves. Her willingness to discuss genre limitations, body image, and spirituality has made her influential beyond music.
As she stated: “Once we’re dead and gone, there will still be work to do in terms of how we’re seen in the world as Black women, and who we are allowed to be seen as—the multifacetedness and all our spectrums of expression.” This awareness positions her as more than just a successful artist—she’s expanding what’s possible for those who follow.
Through her music and public presence, SZA continues reshaping what it means to be an artist in the 21st century. Her career demonstrates that authenticity, even when commercially risky, can lead to lasting impact and success.
FAQ’s About SZA
How tall is SZA?
SZA stands 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 meters) tall.
What is SZA’s real name?
SZA’s real name is Solána Imani Rowe. She adopted the stage name from the Supreme Alphabet, inspired by Wu-Tang Clan rappers.
How much is SZA worth in 2024?
According to Celebrity Net Worth (November 2024), SZA’s estimated net worth is $12 million from music, touring, and partnerships.
How many Grammys has SZA won?
As of November 2025, SZA has won five Grammy Awards from 26 career nominations.
What does SZA stand for?
SZA stands for Savior or Sovereign (S), Zig-Zag (Z), and Allah (A), drawn from the Supreme Alphabet.
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