SZA, the R&B sensation, has always been known for her unique voice and soulful melodies. But beyond her solo ventures, she’s also made a name for herself through her numerous collaborations with other top-tier artists.
Let’s dive into some of her most notable team-ups and explore the magic behind them.
1. What Lovers Do with Maroon 5
- Song Essence: This catchy track saw SZA join forces with pop-rock band Maroon 5, resulting in an instant hit.
- Achievements: Earned Platinum certification and peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100.
- Artist’s Take: SZA mentioned that working with Maroon 5 was “really fun” and praised Adam Levine’s vocals, saying he has “an incredible voice”.
2. All the Stars with Kendrick Lamar
- Song Essence: A standout track from the “Black Panther” soundtrack, inspired by themes of identity, power, and responsibility.
- Achievements: Top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
- Artist’s Take: Kendrick Lamar wanted to create a song that “represents all the cultures,” and SZA felt “honoured” to be part of such a project.
3. Kiss Me More with Doja Cat
- Song Essence: A summer anthem about expressing love without inhibitions.
- Achievements: Platinum certification and Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
- Artist’s Take: Doja Cat aimed for a song that was “sexy but also kind of funny”, while SZA loved the energy they shared in the studio.
4. Staring at the Sun with Post Malone
- Song Essence: A track about finding hope amidst darkness, featured in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse“.
- Artist’s Take: Post Malone was excited to work with SZA, praising her versatility and talent.
5. Power is Power with The Weeknd & Travis Scott
- Song Essence: An epic collaboration about claiming destiny, featured in the “Game of Thrones” soundtrack.
- Artist’s Take: The Weeknd wanted to capture the show’s essence, and Travis Scott enjoyed the collaboration, while SZA felt like she was in a fantasy world.
6. Just Us with DJ Khaled
- Song Essence: A track about standing up for relationships, sampling OutKast’s “Ms. Jackson”.
- Achievements: Gold certification.
- Artist’s Take: DJ Khaled aimed for a “timeless” song and was grateful for SZA’s contribution.
7. I Do with Cardi B
- Song Essence: An anthem for empowerment and self-love
- Achievements: Platinum certification.
- Artist’s Take: Cardi B aimed for a “sassy” song and admired SZA’s music, while SZA felt a natural connection with Cardi.
8. Love Galore with Travis Scott
- Song Essence: A tale of love and betrayal.
- Achievements: Platinum certification and a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance.
- Artist’s Take: SZA wrote from personal experience, finding it therapeutic, and praised Travis Scott’s creativity.
9. Just For Me with SAINt JHN
- Song Essence: A song about finding someone special, featured in “Space Jam: A New Legacy”.
- Artist’s Take: SAINt JHN aimed for an “uplifting” song and was honoured to work with SZA.
10. Homemade Dynamite (Remix) with Lorde, Khalid, and Post Malone
- Song Essence: A remix about living in the moment from Lorde’s Grammy-winning album ‘Melodrama’.
- Achievements: Gold certification.
- Artist’s Take: Lorde aimed for an “explosive” remix, and SZA was thrilled to be part of it.
In conclusion, SZA’s collaborations are a testament to her versatility as an artist. Teaming up with pop stars, rappers, or indie artists, she always brings something unique to the table. With her talent and the right collaborations, SZA will continue to dominate the charts and our playlists.
