Solána "SZA" Rowe is the kind of songwriter whose sound precedes her name. Without so much as full-length album, the 25-year-old from St. Louis has already landed a star-studded list of writing credits, from Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé's self-love banger "Feeling Myself" to Rihanna's swagger-filled ANTI anthem, "Consideration." Since signing to L.A. label TDE—home to Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q—in 2012, SZA has helped define an era of post-Soundcloud pop with her three EPs, See.SZA.Run, S, and Z.
Despite all this, SZA is a bundle of nerves when we meet just before her Coachella debut. "The attention is something I wasn't prepared for and I have super bad anxiety," she admits. "Like, if I wasn't playing Coachella, I would not be here, and afterwards I'm going back home." Her bubbly personality and no-bullshit candor is all part of SZA's appeal; she's honest, she's relatable, and she's staying refreshingly humble in the midst of a whirlwind of success.
SZA performs on the Gobi Stage at the 2016 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on 16 April 2016. (Photo by Erik Voake/Courtesy Coachella)
How has life changed for you since "Consideration"?
It's moreso the stuff that's unseen—knowing that other artists that I respect, like Pharrell, know who I am now. Who knows if they would've heard of me otherwise.
How did the Rihanna collaboration happen?
Originally, it was a song I wrote for my album. Then we bonded. If there's anybody that I could imagine singing my words, it would be her. She has the same tone, the same attitude; she's so strong. Aside from just being beautiful, Rihanna doesn't give a fuck and she just does what she wants. I love it.
I actually haven't processed it at all. I remember asking her if it was a setup. I was like, "Are you sure you wanna be on a song with me?" And she just laughed at me and she said, "Yes." I didn't think it was gonna happen. It's a blessing, and it's a move in the right direction. I just don't even know how it feels 'cause I'm shocked.
What's gotten your parents the most excited about your music?
I think it was performing with Jay Z and Kendrick Lamar at the American Music Awards, especially for my granny. Then maybe Lollapalooza—I was on the cover of The Chicago-Sun Times for it—because my family is all from the Midwest. They just want me to be happy and do something that's positive.
How did you connect with Beyoncé for "Feeling Myself"?
She found me off the internet, 'cause like she's friends with Gwyneth Paltrow and reads GOOP. She watched my "Babylon" video and she was like, "I love your video." She's just honest, human. Beyoncé might be the most perfect, beautiful being I've ever met in my whole life. She's the most inspirational woman on earth, next to my mother.
What's the status of your debut album?
It's almost done. I had to reorganize quite a bit, but it's definitely gonna be out by December. Hopefully, it will be out by the summer.
Do you feel like life has changed now that you're in the public eye?
The adjustment is interesting. I am way shier than I thought I was--sometimes I think I'm too shy for life. I love festivals, but it's a lot of people and it's a lot to think about what they might be thinking. I hate the internet--I think it's terrifying. I'm an analog person.
Do you feel like a different person on stage?
For sure. I feel completely different onstage. Something switches and I'm in another place as another person. Then it's over and I usually ask myself, 'What did I fuck up?' But, two hours later, I'll watch video of my performance and be like, 'Okay, I can live with that. I can do that better.' Having control over your body and your mind and being present is scary, so that's kinda what the journey's been on stage and off stage.
What do you do to stay centered when you're on the road?
Right now, I'm trying to focus on balance. I feel like once you achieve some level of inner balance, it radiates on the outside. I want to hike. I want to swim. Hiking is that number one thing that gets me jacked up. If I'm on the top of a mountain, I feel like I'm on Molly. I went hiking the other day and ended up seal watching in Malibu. It's mating season so you have to like stay away from the females, but I was super quiet, crouching low, watching all of the babies. It was crazy.
How has your role changed within TDE? Do you still identify as the "house mom"?
That's literally like a diss for me right now—they just dissed me and called me a den mother the other day. I'm not the house mother, but we're like a family unit. We have an understanding, from music to personal. They've all helped me in so many different ways.
