SZA’s Journey to Super Bowl Stardom: From Ctrl to the World’s Biggest Stage

SZA has officially solidified her place in music history with a stunning performance at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, joining Kendrick Lamar on one of the world’s biggest stages. Her rise to fame, marked by vulnerability, innovation, and genre-defying artistry, has been nothing short of spectacular. From an underground sensation to a Grammy-winning superstar, her career has been a testament to the power of authenticity in music. Humble Beginnings and the Rise of a Star Born Solána Imani Rowe in St. Louis, Missouri, SZA grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey, where she was heavily influenced by jazz, alternative rock, and hip-hop. Her early musical journey was unconventional—she had no formal training but found solace in writing and experimenting with sounds. Her career took off when she signed with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2013, making her the label’s first female artist. She released two critically acclaimed EPs, See.SZA.Run (2012) and S (2013), showcasing a dreamy, poetic, and experimental R&B sound. Her Z EP (2014) gained her a larger audience, setting the stage for her breakthrough debut album. Breaking Through with Ctrl SZA’s career-defining moment came in 2017 with the release of her debut studio album, Ctrl. A deeply personal...