SZA Receives 28 New RIAA Awards and Prepares to Drop New Material
Just a day before releasing new music, SZA has achieved a historic milestone by earning 28 Gold and Platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 8. The accolades span her entire career, including tracks and albums from her critically acclaimed projects CTRL (2017) and SOS (2022).
A Career Defined by Platinum Success
Among the highlights of her new certifications:
- CTRL was certified five times Platinum for selling over 5 million units in the United States.
- SOS, which was already three times Platinum in 2023, leaped to six times Platinum in a remarkable show of its enduring popularity.
- Her hit singles also reached new heights, with certifications including:
- “Kill Bill” and “Snooze” both earning eight-times Platinum status.
- “Love Galore” featuring Travis Scott also hitting eight-times Platinum.
- “Broken Clocks” was certified six times Platinum.
- “I Hate U” reached four-times Platinum, while “Low” and “Saturn” were each certified two times Platinum.
Notably, SZA was the only artist to receive RIAA awards that day, aside from Justin Timberlake, who collaborated with her on the now-Platinum track “The Other Side” from the Trolls World Tour soundtrack.
New Music and Super Bowl Appearance
SZA isn’t stopping there. Alongside her growing list of accolades, the Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) star is set to release deluxe tracks from her SOS album on February 9. The new material, titled LANA, will arrive during a milestone moment for the singer—her guest appearance at Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show.
The announcement, made by TDE president Terrence “Punch” Henderson on social media, confirmed that the additional songs would drop Sunday evening at 7 p.m. ET, shortly after the Super Bowl begins.
Addressing Challenges With Fans
Despite her ongoing success, SZA has faced challenges in her relationship with her fans during the rollout of LANA. The project, initially released in December 2024, came after numerous delays and teases, leaving some fans frustrated. SZA has since set boundaries on social media, expressing frustration with fans’ expectations and demanding explanations about her creative process.
In a post addressing the delays, she wrote:
“I used to think sharing snippets, personal info + music tea would build connection, but it actually just made ppl entitled, ungrateful, and disrespectful. It’s time to restore the boundary. No more explanations/updates. No back n forth. All further questions hit Punch. Thanks.”
When faced with criticism from fans, SZA didn’t hold back, pointing out the challenges she and her team faced, including sample clearance issues and even natural disasters like wildfires that disrupted the project’s production.
SZA’s Legacy and What’s Next
Despite the occasional friction with fans, SZA’s influence and artistry remain unmatched. With 28 new certifications under her belt and the release of LANA imminent, SZA continues to prove why she’s one of the most celebrated voices in modern R&B.
As she prepares to join Kendrick Lamar on one of the world’s biggest stages, the Super Bowl halftime show, fans can look forward to a spectacular performance and new music that further cements her legacy.
