In April 2013, SZA released her S EP to good critical reviews— in July of that same year, it was announced she was signed to Top Dawg Entertainment and began working on her Z EP, which would eventually become a full-fledged album. Z was released in April 2014.
Her debut album, CTRL was released on June 9, 2017 through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, James Fauntleroy, and Isaiah Rashad. Upon release, CTRL was a massive critical and commercial success, and catapulted SZA into fame. The record debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200. The album then received acclaim from music critics, many praised its cohesiveness and production, as well as SZA's vocal delivery. In 2018, CTRL received 4 Grammy nominations. She was then nominated Best New Artist. The album was ranked at 472 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, her first to do so.
After a 5 year hiatus from music, SZA released her second studio album, SOS on December 9, 2022 through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records.The album features guest appearances from Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. Six singles were released between 2020 and 2023 to promote SOS, five were top-ten hits on the US Billboard Hot 100. The fifth, "Kill Bill", was SZA's first song to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, SZA's first to do so, and also broke the record for the largest streaming week for an R&B album in the US alone. Several media publications ranked it as one of the best albums of 2022 and 2023. In 2023, it was ranked number 351 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, joining her debut album CTRL on the list.
To continue to promote the album, SZA had embarked on a North American, European, and Australian arena tour, the SOS Tour, from February 2023 to April 2024.
At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, the album and its tracks received a total of nine nominations, including Album of the Year, and won Best Progressive R&B Album. The record was a total commercial success.
SOS Deluxe: LANA is SZA’s re-issue of her sophomore album SOS (2022). The album was released on December 20th, 2024 through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records. LANA was delayed due to final changes to the album's mixing. “Saturn” was released as the album's lead single on February 22, 2024, and was teased and performed at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. SZA said herself that this deluxe album became a whole other album. The album has 15 songs and includes leaked songs from SOS. The deluxe was hinted at on December 10, 2023, through various photos posted on her Instagram captioned ‘LANA’.
KISMET
SZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You didn't go to sleep, you passed out
Uh, from now on you get cocktails or wine
Not cocktails and wine, huh?
The dreams I had
Don't yell, I already filed them down
I didn't wanna miss baby night (you)
And a couple of my nails were ragged and (while I was out?)
I dreamed someone was raping me
I think it was someone inhuman (thanks a lot)
Keep your intentions pure
Don't be scared, don't mince words
I don't mince words
My narcissism keeps me level
Keeps me straight, no curve balls
Got no curve balls, stay straight here
You wish that I was less than I am
Less than I will be but I won't
No, no, no, I won't
But it's
Kismet, serendipity
Reflections
I am him and he is me
Kismet
Serendipity, oh
In SZA's song "KISMET," the lyrics touch upon the importance of maintaining pure intentions and being confident in oneself. SZA encourages the listener to not be afraid and to speak honestly without "mincing words." She admits to having a level of narcissism, but explains that it helps keep her focused and without any unexpected "curveballs." Her confidence shines through as she disregards those who wish for her to be less than who she is and who she will become.
The chorus repeats the words "kismet" and "serendipity," which are both related to fate and destiny. "Kismet" is a term used to describe destiny or fate in Islamic cultures, while "serendipity" refers to the occurrence of happy or beneficial events by chance. The following line, "Reflections, I am him and he is me," suggests that she sees an interconnectedness between herself and the world around her, as well as a reflection of herself in others.
Overall, the lyrics of "KISMET" emphasize the importance of having a clear sense of self and purpose, as well as the recognition of the role of fate in one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep your intentions pure don't be scared don't mince words
Maintain pure intentions and avoid fear by being straightforward.
I don't mince words
I am always honest and direct.
My narcissism keeps me level
My self-love helps me maintain balance and stability.
Keeps me straight no curve balls
My confidence helps me avoid unexpected situations.
Got no curve balls stay straight here
I don't face any unexpected obstacles to my success.
You wish that I was less than I am
You want me to have less success and power than I currently do.
Less than I will be but I won't
My future success will surpass what you hope for but it won't be affected by your wishes.
No I won't
I won't let anyone else control my success or destiny.
Kismet, serendipity
My success is predetermined by fate, and I recognize the role of chance in my life.
Reflections
I am looking inward and considering my journey to success.
I am him and he is me
I am connected to my past and my future selves in my journey.
Kismet
My success is predetermined by fate.
Serendipity
I recognize the role of chance and luck in my life and success.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Solana I. Rowe, Jeremy Rose
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@InfraredTsunami
My first time ever hearing SZA was my first time trying LSD or any psychedelic for that matter. The song was "Country" and I will NEVER forget that day. The entire trip was life changing but also that song, was the first song I ever cried to. The sheer beauty.
@rar3br33d6
Exact thing happened with me on that song, but it was with weed lol. Good times
@TheEpicTaleOfABrokenMind
My absolute favorite song by her til this day!!
@AnnaF33
@@TheEpicTaleOfABrokenMindur taste in music is so bad 😂
@BrotherMalMusic
”This here’s the epic tale of a broken miiiiinddd”
@kimothomaina6215
This is why i've been a SZA fan for years, beautiful, powerful, other worldy,,,
@say.yes.
The Rosemarys baby clips in this EP are so creepy but meaningful.
@thefilthyamerican3538
I remember telling myself to listen to this 5 years ago, blinked and years went by, and now I’m hearing S for the first time
@nicoleharrington9086
The beat had me spaced out to a different universe
@Christiandior.8964
Me still here in 2021 waiting for all the new sza fans to find these. Hey y'all lmaooo