SZA Teases ‘Peaceful Children’s Music’ for Final Albums in Record Contract
After the massive success of “Lana,” the R&B queen stirs curiosity with plans for her contract’s final two albums—and her fans are left guessing.
A New Chapter on the Horizon
With the expanded deluxe version of her chart-topping album “SOS”—aptly named “Lana”—cementing its legacy, SZA has left fans buzzing once again. In a cryptic tweet on January 4, the award-winning singer-songwriter hinted at a surprising direction for her remaining albums under her current record deal.
“To finish my last two albums, I think I just wanna make peaceful children’s music and get out of here,” SZA tweeted. She added an even more intriguing twist: “[Then I’ll] become a farmer and donate produce to underprivileged communities.”
The playful-yet-mysterious tone has ignited speculation. Is SZA seriously considering a pivot to children’s music and farming, or is this her way of poking fun at the obligations of the music industry? Either way, fans and critics alike are eager to decipher her plans.
Creative Freedom or Strategic Escape?
The idea of fulfilling contractual obligations with unorthodox creative choices isn’t new in the music world. Some of history’s most iconic artists have found inventive—or downright bizarre—ways to satisfy their contracts.
Take Van Morrison, for example. In the late 1960s, the legendary singer sought to part ways with Bang Records. To meet his contractual requirements, Morrison hastily recorded 36 tracks about mundane subjects like sandwiches and fungal infections, played on an out-of-tune guitar. These “nonsense” songs were shelved for decades, only officially released in 2017, but they served their purpose: freeing Morrison from a stifling deal.
Similarly, Marvin Gaye turned a legal battle into a creative opportunity. During his 1977 divorce from Anna Gordy Gaye, the court awarded Gordy 50% of the royalties from Gaye’s next album. Initially planning to create a “quick, uninspired record,” Gaye’s perfectionist tendencies ultimately resulted in a deeply personal project. While not a commercial success at the time, the album earned its place as a respected entry in his discography.
SZA’s Legacy and the Road Ahead
So far, SZA’s discography boasts two studio albums: the critically acclaimed “Ctrl” (2017) and the Billboard-topping “SOS” (2022). Both have received deluxe editions, with “Lana” extending the original SOS with 15 additional tracks.
Released on December 20, “Lana” has made waves, propelling SOS to its 12th week atop the Billboard 200 chart. This achievement crowns the album as the longest-charting R&B/hip-hop project by a female artist. However, the question remains: how many more albums does SZA need to fulfill her contract?
Fans might not have to wait long for answers. On December 30, SZA teased updated mixes and new songs for Lana, promising their release once her label resumes operations post-holiday.
A Playful Yet Thought-Provoking Tease
SZA’s tongue-in-cheek comments about creating “peaceful children’s music” may not be entirely serious, but they underscore a broader conversation about artistic freedom in the music industry. For an artist of her caliber, the tension between fulfilling obligations and pursuing passion projects is palpable—and relatable.
Whatever SZA’s next move may be, her fans know to expect the unexpected. Whether it’s a whimsical lullaby album or another groundbreaking R&B masterpiece, SZA continues to prove she’s one of the most unpredictable and innovative voices of her generation.
