60 SZA Quotes and Lyrics on Authenticity, Activism and Self-Expansion

SZA, born Solána Imani Rowe, was originally on her way to becoming a marine biologist. Luckily for her fans, she did a complete one-eighty and ended up following a career in music. Read the 60 quotes below to learn more about this talented artist.

SZA's rise to fame began with nothing but her singing hooks for her brother's rap mix tapes. From there, she began making her own sounds while working other jobs and sharing her melodies on SoundCloud. After two E.P's, Top Dawg Entertainment decided to sign her to their label.

She has since collaborated with the likes of Rihanna and Doja Cat, with her introductory studio album landing at number 3 on the Billboard 200. Read more about this soulful artist via the 60 quotes below.

SZA’s quote: "Keep your intentions pure, don't be scared, don't mince words." | Image: AmoDays

SZA Quotes on Authenticity and Honesty

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"Take me to reality and drag me to the truth." — "Time Travel Undone" by SZA

"Keep your intentions pure, don't be scared, don't mince words." — SZA

"To be real is to be real." — "Go Gina" by SZA

SZA Quotes on Activism, Feminism, and Being a Woman of Color

"I feel good being a black woman; I've always felt good." — SZA

SZA’s quote: "I feel like when you say 'activist,' you have to have so much clarity, and I don't always necessarily have so much clarity… I'm trying to let God guide my body and use it as whatever kind of vehicle or vessel it needs to be." | Image: AmoDays

"How many thick black women are there singing whatever I'm singing, surrounded by rappers, but also from the suburbs? I can't really judge someone else for judging me!" — SZA

"I don't think I'm inherently feminist. I think the universe wants me to be feminist, and I think I resonate with that." — SZA

"When you're, like, 190 pounds, dark-skinned, and a new artist that no one really cares about, people don't really take the time to make you look beautiful." — SZA

"Wearing a hijab never made me feel any more conservative — it made me feel safe. Then, after 9/11, I became the butt of a joke on the playground, so I stopped wearing it. Kids can be really cruel when you're the only black girl in your Girl Scout troop." — SZA

"I feel like when you say 'activist,' you have to have so much clarity, and I don't always necessarily have so much clarity… I'm trying to let God guide my body and use it as whatever kind of vehicle or vessel it needs to be." — SZA

SZA Quotes on Self-Expansion and Progress

SZA’s quote: "You can take care of your body, and it will low-key show respect you in turn." | Image: AmoDays

"I don't want to speak negativity into existence." — SZA

"It starts with trusting yourself, even if people are telling you you're too young to trust yourself." — SZA

"I don't feel ashamed to be loud, which is an argument I've had with lots of men, who thought I was too sassy and unladylike." — SZA

"You can take care of your body, and it will low-key show you respect in turn." — SZA

"Maybe I should kill my inhibition; maybe I'll perfect in a new dimension." — "Anything" by SZA

SZA’s quote: "It starts with trusting yourself, even if people are telling you you're too young to trust yourself." | Image: AmoDays

"Control is not real, and I'm really understanding that every day. It's about the acceptance of relinquishing control that makes it powerful for you." — SZA

"I don't have any control over what actually happens except for that I have full control over my will for myself, my intention, and why I'm there. That's all that matters." — SZA

Poetic SZA Quotes to Ponder On

"Keep your feet firmly planted in the sky." — "Omega" by SZA

"Searching for peace be like fishing for water." — SZA

"Good day in my mind, safe to take a step out, get some air now, let your edge out." — "Good Days" by SZA

SZA’s quote: "Keep your feet firmly planted in the sky." | Image: AmoDays

"Flying high and fearless, baby, I've kissed death a thousand times before." — "Sweet November" by SZA

SZA Quotes about Her Life: Past and Present

"I learned everything the hard way. Like, literally, everything. I know that God does that to people that he has lessons for. I just wish that I had learned less extreme lessons." — SZA

"My anxiety stems from my lack of control no matter what." — SZA

"I make bad decisions frequently. They're fun." — SZA

"I've been known to wear pajamas onstage for the sole reason of wanting to make sure I'm free enough to execute new things vocally onstage and give my best performance possible." — SZA

SZA’s quote: "Every day I grapple between, 'I'm going to get married,' and, 'I'm going to spend the rest of my life alone with a poodle.'" | Image: AmoDays

"Especially when I'm nervous, my mind is running a mile a minute. My ADHD speaks for me before I can speak for me." — SZA

"On Halloween, because we don't celebrate it, my dad would drive me somewhere, anywhere different. Like Little Italy in New York to walk around and teach me all about the food and culture." — SZA

"I use Ecoco EcoStyler gel, but the alcohol-free protein one. That's the key." — SZA

"In the real world, I kind of, like, thrived a little bit. The things that were awkward about me at school, like being hyper-passionate. I realized, 'Oh, I'm my own person, and I have my own idiosyncrasies and nuances that I don't mind.'" — SZA

"I wasn't popular in high school; I had no friends." — SZA

SZA’s quote: "My mom didn't let me eat sugar or candy until I was older.” | Image: AmoDays

"I feel like every outfit I have ever planned ahead is trash." — SZA

"I drink a lot of water." — SZA

"I love food, so having a lot of food allergies now and just having a really sensitive body, it forces me to be very mindful and conscious and eat when I'm hungry, not just when I'm bored, and just really slow down. Everything in moderation." — SZA

"I was born in St. Louis, but I'm from Maplewood, New Jersey. Maplewood is completely different than the rest of New Jersey. It's very small. It's quietly affluent but more low-key. Lauryn Hill is from my town, though." — SZA

"I'm a Scorpio with a Pisces moon. I am very critical of myself. I'm actually way less critical of others than I am of myself. I'm in my own head a lot. It's hard and really discouraging." — SZA

SZA’s quote: "I want to excel at something, to follow through, to not be afraid." | Image: AmoDays

"I think we all do. I think we wonder if we're supposed to be here. If we're doing the right thing, if we even want to be here. At least, I do all the time." — SZA

"My mom didn't let me eat sugar or candy until I was older." — SZA

"I want to excel at something, to follow through, to not be afraid." — SZA

SZA Quotes on Love

"Love me even if it rains. Love me even if it pains you." — "Garden (Say It Like Dat)" by SZA

"In one way, I want to heal people." — SZA

SZA's quote: "I have an abundant amount of love in my life, and I'm grateful for that." | Image: AmoDays

"Wish I was the type of girl you take over to mama." — "Normal Girl" by SZA

"You a wild one, and I'm wadin' in you like it's cool water." — "Hit Different" by SZA

"Every day I grapple between, 'I'm going to get married,' and, 'I'm going to spend the rest of my life alone with a poodle.'" — SZA

"Acting like we wasn't more than a summer fling, I said farewell; you took it well." — "Love Galore" by SZA

"Gettin' all in your love, fallin' all over love." — "The Weekend" by SZA

SZA’s quote from "Passport" : "New love is simple and old love is fragile." | Image: AmoDays

"I have an abundant amount of love in my life, and I'm grateful for that." — SZA

"It made me feel good for temporary love; you was a temporary lover." — "Supermodel" by SZA

"Why you bother me when you know you don't want me?" — "Love Galore" by SZA

"New love is simple and old love is fragile." — "Passport" by SZA

"Why is it so hard to accept the party is over?" — "Drew Barrymore" by SZA

SZA Quotes on Music

SZA's quote: "Music is my form of cleansing and introspection, so I have to grow in order to accomplish it." | Image: AmoDays

"People grapple with labeling me as hip-hop, R&B, or pop, and it's interesting to me. I'm just making music." — SZA

"I listen to Stevie Nicks." — SZA

"When I think of Afropunk, I think of the best of the best. I think of, like, D'Angelo." — SZA

"When I sing full voice, I get nervous because I get nasal and abrasive and a little scratchy." — SZA

SZA's quote: "My music is touching people in whatever spaces they need to be touched in." | Image: AmoDays

"I love classical jazz." — SZA

"Listening to Alabama Shakes made me less self-conscious about my voice." — SZA

"Music is my form of cleansing and introspection, so I have to grow in order to accomplish it." — SZA

"I just make music however I feel and pray that it connects, and if it does, I'm super thankful. I think genres are more for other people, not for yourself." — SZA

"My music is touching people in whatever spaces they need to be touched in." — SZA

SZA’s quote from "Go Gina" : "To be real is to be real." | Image: AmoDays

SZA has obtained many awards and nominations throughout her career. Some of her wins include Collaboration of the Year at the 2021 American Music Awards, Top R&B Female Artist at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, and Outstanding Original Song at the 2019 Black Reel Awards.

She shared the 2019 award with Kendrick Lamar. It was given to them in honor of their collaboration on the song, "All the Stars," created for the "Black Panther" film.

Read quotes from another passionate artist who is no longer with us: Aaliyah.