While her second studio album has become a success, the 33-year-old singer/songwriter spent the weeks leading up to its release 'freaking out' about its reception.
- Feb 20, 2023
AceShowbiz - SZA has gotten candid about the anxiety she felt before dropping her number one hit album "SOS". In a new interview, the singer, born Solana Imani Rowe, admitted that she feared she would "die."
During the candid chat with The New York Times Magazine, the "Kill Bill" singer recalled another freak-out moment in which she thought about not being able to live up to the album's success. "Part of me feels like, 'Wait, this album is really good, and I can't imagine being any more famous, or any more successful.' I'm like, 'Am I about to die? Fall over the edge?' It's like, my album has to tank, because if it's any better, if it goes so well, I have to die after that. Because no one gets that," she revealed.
"I cry a lot before big things, like releases. Or I'll get angry, mean. And I realize I'm being a b***h right now because I'm scared," SZA explained. "A lot of that happened during this last section of putting this album together, lashing out, and freaking out. It's like, 'Oh. I'm just terrified.' "
SZA later elaborated that she tends to brace herself for backlash or criticism and never expects to receive positive feedback. "I don't expect anything," the 33-year-old singer continued. "I'm ready for the hate, or backlash, or disappointment… I'm not expecting people to be like, 'Oh, my God, this album is so good. I'm expecting people to be like, Y'all hyped this b***h up too much.' "
Meanwhile, SZA previously claimed that "SOS" showcased a "different" side to her personality. Speaking ahead of her album release, she explained, "It's my first album in five years, so I'm ready to be a different person and step into this new part of my life. Really exemplify who this character is and get to know myself better while everyone else gets to know me live at the same time."
SZA's "SOS" recently scored its ninth nonconsecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The album earned 93,000 equivalent album units in the week ending on February 16, according to Luminate.
