SZA earns Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award at BET Awards

SZA wins Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award at BET Awards

When an artist consistently dominates awards, tops charts, and sells out arenas, you know they’re having a moment. For SZA, this isn’t just a moment—it’s an era.

Her latest win at the 2025 BET Awards for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist cements what fans and critics have been saying for years: SZA is at the top of her game.

A Victory at the BET Awards

On June 9, 2025, during a star-studded night at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, hosted by Kevin Hart, SZA stood tall among a highly competitive field. Fellow nominees included industry heavyweights like Summer Walker, Kehlani, Coco Jones, and Muni Long. Winning this award is no small feat. Each artist brought strong work to the table, but SZA’s creative range and consistency made her the standout.

Her win reflects more than popularity. It’s recognition of how SZA is reshaping the boundaries of R&B and pop music. She blends vulnerability with sonic experimentation, and this authenticity deeply connects with listeners.

Touring the World With Kendrick Lamar

What makes SZA’s year even more impressive is the scope of her live performances. She’s currently co-headlining the Grand National World Tour with Kendrick Lamar, and the demand has been overwhelming. Venues across North America have sold out, with fans eager to experience what’s being called one of the most immersive concerts in years.

The tour kicked off on April 19, 2025, in Minneapolis and will close on August 9 in Stockholm, Sweden. It includes major stops in cities like Toronto, Los Angeles, Paris, and London.

Their 52-song setlist is stacked with hits like:

• “All the Stars”
• “Luther”
• “Kill Bill”
• “30 For 30”

Incorporating elaborate visuals—including insect-themed projections and documentary-style behind-the-scenes content—SZA’s performances have become part art installation, part music celebration. Fans aren’t just attending a concert; they’re stepping inside her universe.

“SOS Deluxe: Lana” — Expanding an Already Iconic Album

Back in 2022, SZA’s SOS made headlines for its raw emotion and genre-bending tracks. Critics called it a defining album for a generation grappling with heartbreak, self-doubt, and empowerment. But SZA wasn’t done.

In December 2024, she dropped SOS Deluxe: Lana, adding a massive 19 new tracks to the original album. This wasn’t just a repackaged version—it was a full expansion, giving fans an even deeper dive into her world.

Standout new songs include:

• “30 For 30”, featuring Kendrick Lamar, offering lyrical introspection on fame and identity
• “BMF”, a soulful, slow-burning ballad
• “Wasted Youth”, blending alt-R&B with a nostalgic 2000s pop-punk edge

This deluxe project proved what many already knew: SZA’s not bound by genre. She’s just as comfortable crooning over bossa nova as she is layering harmonies over trap beats.

“Luther” — A Chart-Defining Collaboration

SZA’s collaboration with Kendrick Lamar on the track “Luther” has been nothing short of dominant. The song has spent 13 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Its lyrics tackle legacy, pressure, and resilience—core themes that resonate with listeners of all ages. The blend of SZA’s melodic hooks and Kendrick’s sharp verses make “Luther” a standout not only on the charts, but in cultural impact.

The song was also a centerpiece during Kendrick’s historic halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX, where he became the first solo hip-hop act to headline the event. That appearance gave “Luther” a major boost, introducing it to a global audience who may not have been following the Billboard charts but definitely took notice.

Why SZA Matters Right Now—and Always

What separates SZA from many of her contemporaries is her timeless quality. Her music isn’t made to chase trends; it’s made to last. Even tracks from her early career—like “Love Galore” or “The Weekend”—still feel fresh years later.

Here’s why her success is sustainable:

1. Emotional honesty: SZA doesn’t write just to entertain; she writes to heal and reflect. That vulnerability builds real loyalty among fans.
2. Genre-blending ability: Whether it’s jazz, R&B, pop, hip-hop, or alternative, SZA refuses to be boxed in. This makes her music evergreen—playable across moods and generations.
3. Strategic collaborations: Working with Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, and even Doja Cat shows her willingness to collaborate without compromising her sound.
4. Visual storytelling: From music videos to stage visuals, she curates a full sensory experience.

In the current era of streaming, where new music floods digital platforms every Friday, artists like SZA stand out because they deliver substance, not just hype.

The Legacy She’s Building

SZA is not just collecting awards and topping charts; she’s building a legacy. Her body of work is already influencing the next wave of female artists in R&B and pop. With themes like heartbreak, mental health, self-love, and resilience, SZA speaks directly to the core of her generation’s experiences.

And she does it without oversharing or manufacturing drama. In an age dominated by celebrity gossip and public feuds, SZA keeps the focus where it belongs—on the art.

What’s Next for SZA?

While she’s tight-lipped about future solo releases, industry insiders suggest that another project could drop in early 2026. Whether or not that happens, fans are staying engaged through:

• Tour content (including her behind-the-scenes vlogs)
• Streaming her now-expanded discography
• Rewatching performances from awards shows and tour stops

If her current trajectory is any indication, we’re witnessing a historic run—one that will be remembered long after the tour lights dim.

SZA’s journey from underground favorite to global superstar is a testament to the power of authenticity and artistic evolution. She’s not just winning awards—she’s redefining what it means to be a female artist in the 2020s.

From the success of “SOS Deluxe: Lana” to the global stages of the Grand National Tour, to chart domination with “Luther,” SZA has shown that longevity in music doesn’t come from chasing trends—it comes from being true to your voice.

And if that voice happens to be as captivating, soulful, and genre-defying as SZA’s? That’s how legends are made.