Rapper SZA Challenges Genre Labels: ‘I’m Only Considered R&B Because I’m Black’
In a candid interview with Dazed published on May 1, SZA opened up about her frustrations with being categorized exclusively as an R&B artist, emphasizing how this label often limits the perception of her creative range.
Breaking Down Boundaries
The 34-year-old superstar argued that her music transcends genres but is often boxed in due to her race. “The only reason I’m defined as an R&B artist is because I’m Black,” SZA said. “It’s almost a little reductive because it doesn’t allow space to be anything else or try anything else.”
She compared her experience to that of Justin Bieber, who freely explores genres like R&B, pop, and folk without being labeled solely by one style: “I simply just want to be allowed the same opportunity to make whatever I want without a label, [without it being] based on the colour of my skin, or the crew that I run with, or the beats that I choose.”
Fighting for Artistic Freedom
SZA specifically mentioned tracks like “F2F,” “Nobody Gets Me,” and “Kill Bill” as examples of her genre-fluid artistry, urging listeners to appreciate her music for what it is, rather than through the lens of a specific category. “I don’t necessarily box myself into anything. I’m just trying to make music, trying to vibe out and enjoy the experience.”
Still, SZA acknowledged the reality of how people process her work and expressed no bitterness:“It’s nothing to get bent out of shape about. As long as I don’t process myself that way.”
Fan Love for ‘Snooze’
Despite her qualms about industry labels, SZA remains deeply connected to her fans. Last month, she credited them for helping her recognize the brilliance of “Snooze”—a song she initially undervalued: “I’m not gon lie ‘Snooze’ wasn’t my favorite when I made the album, but now it’s my favorite hands down,” she wrote on social media.
“Snooze” has since become one of her most celebrated tracks, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning the title of the greatest R&B song of the streaming era by Spotify. It also claimed Best R&B Song at the 2024 Grammy Awards and made history by spending the most weeks atop the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts.
SZA’s insistence on breaking free from genre constraints is part of her larger mission to explore unbounded creativity in her music. Her openness about these struggles highlights the challenges faced by Black artists who seek to redefine their image beyond traditional industry norms. As she continues to evolve, SZA’s artistry serves as a reminder that music cannot—and should not—be confined by labels. She’s simply making music on her own terms.
