Well-known musician SZA, recognized for fusing different genres in her music, has questioned the notion that her race limits her to being an R&B performer.
In a new interview with Dazed published Wednesday (May 1), SZA discussed being considered an R&B artist only because she is Black.
Despite her musical versatility and exploration of various genres, SZA feels she has been pigeonholed because of her race, even though most of her releases sonically represent contemporary R&B.
“The only reason I’m defined as an R&B artist is because I’m Black,” the Grammy winner began. “It’s almost a little reductive because it doesn’t allow space to be anything or try anything else.”
She continued. “Justin Bieber is not considered an R&B artist; he is a Pop artist who makes R&B, folk music, or whatever his heart desires.”
The 34-year-old superstar discussed her image in the public eye and how she has been marketed in a way that doesn’t justly reflect her material.
“I simply just want to be allowed the same opportunity to make whatever I want without a label, [without it being] based on the color of my skin, or the crew that I run with, or the beats that I choose. I want ‘F2F’ to be seen as what it is. I want “Nobody Gets Me” to be seen as what it is. I want ‘Kill Bill’ to be seen as what it is.”
The Snooze hitmaker added that she wants her songs to live within the genre they’re giving instead of an umbrella label.
“At the same time, it’s nothing to get bent out of shape about because it’s just how people are processing you. As long as I don’t process myself that way. I don’t necessarily box myself into anything. I’m trying to make music, vibe out, and enjoy the experience.
Other artists, however, get to swerve in and out of genres–and SZA is hoping for the same opportunity!
