SZA Wins 3rd Straight R&B Artist of the Year at iHeartRadio Awards
SZA has firmly established herself as one of the most influential figures in contemporary R&B. At the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, she was awarded R&B Artist of the Year for the third consecutive time. This recognition marks a major milestone in her career, especially considering the competition in the category included iconic names like Chris Brown, Usher, Muni Long, and Victoria Monét.
SZA’s Chart-Topping Success: Luther and Beyond
Beyond her award wins, SZA is proving herself as a chart-dominating artist. Her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar on the track Luther, from Lamar’s album GNX, has been a major success. The song has held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive four weeks in a row. Luther showcases the incredible chemistry between SZA and Kendrick, a duo that has consistently produced music that resonates with fans across genres.
The success of Luther further solidifies SZA’s place as a top-tier artist in the music industry. Her ability to collaborate with a range of musicians, including Kendrick Lamar, has helped her broaden her appeal and continue to evolve as an artist. Fans can’t get enough of her captivating voice and Kendrick’s powerful verses, making Luther one of the standout tracks of 2025.
SOS Deluxe “Lana” Album: A Special Gift for Fans
SZA’s SOS Deluxe “Lana” album, released in December 2024, expanded on the success of her critically acclaimed SOS album. The deluxe edition features 15 new tracks, adding even more layers to her already impressive discography. One of the most notable tracks from the deluxe album is 30 For 30, a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar that captures the dynamic energy between the two artists.
In February 2025, SZA treated fans to an extra surprise. On Super Bowl Sunday, she released four more songs, marking the celebration of her and Kendrick Lamar’s performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. This was not just a momentous occasion for SZA and Kendrick, but a gift for fans who had been eagerly awaiting more new music from the duo.
The SOS Deluxe “Lana” album showcases SZA’s versatility and her ability to continue to surprise her audience with new sounds and collaborations. Each track on the album contributes to the narrative she has been telling throughout her career, blending themes of love, self-discovery, and empowerment. Fans were quick to embrace the deluxe edition, making it another milestone in her remarkable journey. Over the weekend, it also surpassed Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” as the longest-running top 10 album by a Black artist in Billboard 200 history.
Grand National Tour: SZA and Kendrick Lamar Hit the Road
On April 19, 2025, SZA and Kendrick Lamar are embarking on their highly anticipated Grand National Tour. The tour kicks off in Minneapolis, MN, and will travel across the United States before heading to Europe and the United Kingdom in the summer. This collaborative tour will be a one-of-a-kind experience for fans, as SZA and Kendrick Lamar bring their powerhouse performances to cities around the world.
For fans, the Grand National Tour is a unique opportunity to witness two of the most influential artists in modern music perform together on the same stage. Kendrick Lamar’s thought-provoking lyricism and SZA’s soulful vocals will undoubtedly create an unforgettable atmosphere at every stop.
Whether performing songs from their solo projects or sharing the stage for their iconic collaborations, the Grand National Tour promises to be an exciting celebration of their combined musical talent. With both artists at the peak of their careers, this tour will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about events of the year.
SZA’s Career Evolution: From Ctrl to SOS and Beyond
SZA’s career has evolved significantly since the release of her debut album Ctrl in 2017. With Ctrl, she introduced a fresh, introspective approach to R&B, with deeply personal lyrics and a unique sound that captured the hearts of listeners. The album’s success led to critical acclaim, along with several Grammy nominations and wins, cementing SZA’s status as one of R&B’s most exciting new voices.
The release of SOS in 2022 further solidified her place in the music world. SOS combined R&B, hip-hop, and pop influences, showcasing SZA’s ability to adapt and experiment with various genres. With hits like Kill Bill and I Hate U, the album was both a commercial and critical success. It earned SZA even more accolades, including multiple Grammy nominations, and became one of the most celebrated albums of 2022.
Now, with the release of the SOS Deluxe “Lana” album, SZA has proven that she is continually evolving as an artist. The deluxe edition adds even more depth to her already impressive catalog, showcasing her versatility and growth.
The Impact of SZA’s Music on R&B
SZA has become a transformative figure in modern R&B, blending soulful melodies with candid, relatable lyrics. Her music has touched on themes of love, heartbreak, empowerment, and self-discovery, creating an emotional connection with listeners across the globe.
What sets SZA apart from many of her contemporaries is her authenticity. She doesn’t shy away from vulnerability in her music, and that vulnerability resonates with fans on a deeply personal level. Songs like Good Days and Broken Clocks speak to the universal human experience of navigating relationships, self-worth, and growth.
SZA’s ability to blend genres has also played a key role in her success. While deeply rooted in R&B, her music often crosses into pop, hip-hop, and even rock territory, making it accessible to a broad audience. This genre-defying approach has helped her maintain a unique position in the music industry, appealing to fans from various musical backgrounds.
The Power of Collaborations: SZA and Kendrick Lamar
One of the defining aspects of SZA’s career has been her incredible collaborations. From All the Stars with Kendrick Lamar to 30 For 30 on the SOS Deluxe “Lana” album, SZA has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to create magic with other artists.
Her partnership with Kendrick Lamar, in particular, has been one of the most successful and exciting collaborations in recent years. Their chemistry, both in the studio and on stage, has produced some of the most memorable songs in modern music. Their collaboration on All the Stars for the Black Panther soundtrack earned them widespread recognition, and their ongoing work together continues to captivate fans.
With the Grand National Tour on the horizon, fans will have the chance to see SZA and Kendrick Lamar perform together live, bringing their powerful partnership to stages across the world. Whether on a solo track or a collaboration, SZA’s ability to elevate her music through partnerships continues to be a key part of her success.
SZA’s Influence on the R&B Genre
SZA’s impact on the R&B genre is undeniable. Her rise to stardom has not only reshaped the landscape of modern R&B but also inspired a new generation of artists. She’s shown that vulnerability, authenticity, and creativity are essential to making meaningful music, and her success has opened doors for other artists who want to follow in her footsteps.
Through her work, SZA has set a new standard for what it means to be an R&B artist in the 21st century. She’s shown that it’s possible to blend emotional depth with commercial success while staying true to oneself. As a result, she’s become a role model for aspiring musicians and a beloved figure in the world of R&B.
Looking to the Future: What’s Next for SZA?
As SZA continues to dominate the charts, win awards, and break records, fans are eager to know what comes next. Will she release another album soon? Will she continue to collaborate with other artists? One thing is for sure: SZA’s future in music is incredibly bright.
The Grand National Tour will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of 2025, and SZA’s influence on the music world will only continue to grow. Fans are excited to see where her career goes from here, but one thing is certain—SZA is not slowing down anytime soon.
SZA’s Legacy in R&B
SZA’s third consecutive win as R&B Artist of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards is just one example of her ongoing dominance in the music industry. From the success of her SOS Deluxe “Lana” album to her incredible Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar, SZA continues to redefine what it means to be an R&B artist in today’s music scene.
Her ability to consistently create music that resonates with fans, break down genre barriers, and collaborate with other top-tier artists makes her a true icon in the making. As SZA’s career continues to evolve, her influence on the R&B genre will only become more profound, ensuring her place in music history for years to come.
