SZA has said that her second studio album, SOS, almost certainly featured more collaboration, but claimed that some artists ultimately “didn’t show up.”
Announced last month, the long-awaited follow-up to 2017’s Ctrl is set for release this Friday (Dec. 9) via Top Dawg Entertainment/ RCA. The 23-track record has already been previewed by the singles “Good Days”, “I Hate U” and “Shirt”.
- READ MORE: SZA – ‘Ctrl’ review: TDE protégé makes big statement with debut
Elsewhere, there are team-ups with Phoebe Bridgers (“Ghost in the Car”), Travis Scott (“Open Gun”) and Don Toliver (“Used”). The album’s closing track, “Forgiveless,” features the late Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
During a new interview on a New York radio station Hot 97, SZA was asked how the collaboration came about. “Likes to DM and beg,” the R&B artist replied. “Sometimes people spin their poems, sometimes they don’t.”
SZA continued: “And a lot of people didn’t turn their verse in, but I’m thankful for the ones that did.”
The interviewer then asked the singer if he “personally” received such rejection from other acts, to which he replied: “For many of these people, I turned my poems no, so I can’t get too mad.
“But in the same sense, it’s like, ‘Damn, I really needed you.’ I want you to come to me. But I’m sure they felt the same way about me.”
Speaking about Travis Scott, SZA explained, “I really appreciate him being a constant friend in my life and believing in me as an artist.”
He also said he was “grateful” for Phoebe Bridgers’ contribution to SOS. “I didn’t think he’d come to the studio in person,” SZA added. “He did, which is crazy. We laughed, it’s just funny.’
You can watch the full interview in the video above.
Last month, during an extensive interview with BillboardSZA has opened up about her upcoming album, saying she’s “stressed” about its impending deadline.
He detailed the “lead analysis” involved in releasing the new record. “It’s not like album pressure, just life is hard,” SZA said.
“As long as life is vital, it is crazy to expect anything to be done at a high level. It’s not for people, it’s for machines.”
This past weekend, SZA debuted a song called “Blind” during her performance on “SOS.” Saturday Night Live.
The artist shared the full album tracklist on Monday (December 5) – which you can check out here.
Meanwhile, SZA has responded to fans calling for her to collaborate with Paramore frontman Hayley Williams.