SZA Recalls Being Told She'd Never 'Beat Taylor Swift' on the Charts

SZA at Variety Hitmakers, Presented By Sony Audio held at Nya West on Dec. 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. Christopher Polk/Variety Trending on Billboard SZA couldn’t believe it either when her album SOS exploded in popularity in 2022, beating out none other than Taylor Swift on the Billboard 200 — an achievement the R&B/pop star says her label initially told her would probably never happen, given the Eras Tour headliner’s consistent chart dominance. In an interview with i-D published Friday (March 6), SZA reflected on one of the wildest career moments she experienced as her sophomore album catapulted her to new heights of stardom. “My label told me that it was likely that I wouldn’t beat Taylor Swift, and I should prepare for that,” she told the publication. “I was laughing by week three.” Related No, SZA Isn’t Beefing With Taylor Swift: ‘I Genuinely Loved Her Album’ SZA Says Taylor Swift Is ‘Open’ to Collaborating, Reveals Kendrick Lamar’s Pre-Tour Advice Stray Kids’ Hyunjin Named Global Brand Ambassador For Iconic Denim Company “It was just like, ‘What is this? I never even imagined I could be on the radio,'” continued the Grammy winner, who is signed to Top Dawg Entertainment. As it turned out, SOS debuted at No. 1 on the album’s chart in December 2022, with Midnights — which had been released two months prior — sitting at No. 2. SZA’s project would remain in the top spot for 10 weeks before falling lower on the tally, eventually returning to No. 1 in 2024 for another three weeks thanks to the release of its chart position. When SOS was first ruling the roost, SZA clarified on X that she had nothing but respect for Swift. “Uhh I feel silly that I even have to say this but i see supporters arguing and I hate that,” she wrote at the time. “I don’t have beef w ANYONE especially not Taylor lmao I genuinely loved her album and the writing!” In 2025, SZA told Jennifer Hudson that she would love to work with the pop singer someday. “Every time she walks up to me or approaches me, I’m just like, ‘All right, this is happening, because that’s fully Taylor Swift,'” she said that March. “I would love to write with her and build some things together. I love her storytelling.” Though some people may have doubted it four years ago, SZA is now a formidable artist on the charts herself. In December 2024, she and Kendrick Lamar scored a massive hit with their “Luther” collaboration, which spent 13 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. “I feel like anything is possible,” she told i-D. “I feel like I’m adulting kind of hard right now, and I might be eating. I feel like I might be alright when it’s all said and done.” See SZA on the cover of i-D below. View this post on Instagram Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up Leave a Comment Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Name * Email * Website Post Comment Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about? Get in the know on Visit Billboard Pro for music business news