In a recent interview with Variety, Grammy-nominated artist SZA, born Solána Imani Rowe, opened up about the unexpected turn of events surrounding her song “Consideration” and its surprising journey to Rihanna’s repertoire back in 2015.
The revelation came as SZA reminisced, expressing initial frustration and concern, stating, “I cared so much. I was so, like, just frustrated and I felt like, ‘I’ll never have anything this cool again. I’ll never make anything this cool again.’” At the time, “Consideration” held a pivotal role as the centerpiece of SZA’s debut studio album, “Ctrl.”
Contrary to its significance for SZA, the track became a part of Rihanna’s album “Anti,” as revealed by the “Kill Bill” crooner. SZA recounted the moment her independent label, Top Dawg Entertainment, decided to offer the song to Rihanna. The artist recalled her initial reaction, saying, “‘Please no! I had just shot a video for it and, like, I was about to drop it, like, in a couple of days.’”
Navigating the unexpected turn of events, SZA decided to keep some of her vocals on the track and credited Rihanna as a featured artist, maintaining a connection to her creation despite relinquishing control over its fate.
Surprisingly, Rihanna invited SZA to join her onstage at the O2 Arena in London during The Brit Awards in 2016 to perform “Consideration” together. Reflecting on the experience, SZA admitted, “I was so crazy and so wrong.” Despite initial concerns, the collaboration turned out to be a positive experience, and SZA expressed gratitude for the outcome, emphasizing, “I’m so glad that happened, and that it didn’t cost me anything. If anything, I just, like, gained a bunch from it. And I thank God that I made cool music outside of that.”
Dispelling misconceptions about creative limitations, SZA asserted, “I don’t know why I just really thought my creativity would just, like, stop and, like, this was the pinnacle of what I could make. If Rihanna has it, then I’ll just never be anything,” highlighting her continued success and growth as an artist.
In the midst of these reflections, SZA is gearing up for a notable performance at Z100 New York and iHeartRadio’s sold-out Jingle Ball on December 8 at Madison Square Garden. Fans can anticipate an electrifying showcase featuring SZA alongside artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, OneRepublic, Doechii, and more. As the artist celebrates this unexpected turn in her musical journey, it’s evident that SZA’s creativity knows no bounds, with her trajectory only continuing to ascend.
