SZA Vows to Deliver Two Albums of “Calming Children’s Music” to Meet Contract Obligations

SZA hints at new direction

SZA has hinted at the possibility of releasing two albums of “peaceful children’s music” to fulfill her current contractual demands.

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Recent releases and future plans

The singer and rapper released “Lana” last month after nearly a year of speculation regarding its release. Rather than a standalone album, it serves as a deluxe version of her 2022 second studio album, SOS.

Now, just weeks after the album hit the market, SZA has suggested that she’s ready to move away from her captivating R&B style and explore a vastly different vibe, even hinting at a desire for a quieter life once her obligations are complete.

On Saturday (January 4) on X, SZA wrote: “To fulfill my requirements for the last two albums, I think I just want to make peaceful children’s music and get out of here. Then become a farmer and donate produce to underserved communities.”

To fulfill my requirements for the last two albums, I think I just want to make peaceful children’s music and get out of here. Then become a farmer and donate produce to underserved communities.

— SZA (@sza) January 4, 2025

Both “SOS” and its predecessor, 2017’s “Ctrl,” were released as part of SZA’s agreement with Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records. While it remains unclear how many albums she is still contracted for, her recent comments imply that two more full-length albums are anticipated as part of the deal.

“Lana” introduced 15 additional tracks to the existing 23 “SOS” songs, elevating the total number of tracks for the project to 38. However, SZA informed fans last week that “all updated mixes” and “new songs” would be made available on Monday (January 6) “when the label returns from vacation.”

Upon its release on December 20, “Lana” featured a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar from 30 For 30, along with production contributions from Lil Yachty and Benny Blanco on every track.

Lamar’s announcement follows SZA’s appearance on his surprise album “GNX,” and both artists, alongside their labelmates, indicated plans for a North American tour together this year.

During Christmas, the singer also revealed her split from Terrence “Punch” Henderson, with whom she had collaborated since 2011. Henderson, the co-president of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), played a significant role in the production of “Lana.”

When “SOS” premiered, it garnered critical acclaim and received nine Grammy nominations. It topped the Billboard 200 and reached number two on the UK singles chart, achieving triple platinum certification in the US.

In a five-star review, NME praised “SOS” as a “comeback album worth waiting for,” stating, “For the next album, I’m making the best album of my life,” SZA remarked in flaunt in 2020, and “SOS” is undoubtedly a remarkable record that seldom misses the mark and elevates the standards even higher than before. However, this statement came with a caveat: “Because this will be my last album.” We hope SZA will reconsider this declaration, but if this does mark her final release, she is certainly going out on a high note.