SZA had no idea that her vocals would be featured on Kendrick Lamar‘s latest album, GNX, but when she heard the tracks “Luther” and “Gloria,” she couldn’t help but be pleasantly surprised. During a recent appearance on Sherri, the 35-year-old singer shared how she was taken aback by the inclusion of her voice on the album, marveling at Lamar’s artistic vision.
“Once ‘Luther’ came out, I thought, ‘OK — that’s the vocals we’re using, period,’” she recalled, laughing. “Same with ‘Gloria,’ I was like, ‘Alright, cool! Let’s go with that!’” SZA went on to explain how Kendrick’s elusive nature and “fumbling and finding” approach to music have been a huge influence on her own creative process.
The Kill Bill artist also shared her admiration for Kendrick’s ability to stay grounded despite his immense success. “He’s so good at saying yes but staying grounded,” she said, expressing her desire to learn from Lamar. “Teach me, sensei, what you know.”
SZA, who has long collaborated with Lamar, also spoke about the possibility of a joint album, which she would love to make. “I think that would be amazing. He’s such a genius, and part of his genius is being so mysterious,” she said.
In addition to discussing their creative partnership, SZA also opened up about her upcoming Grand National Tour with Lamar. Marking her first-ever stadium tour, she confessed that the experience has been a whirlwind of “firsts” happening right in front of fans. “I can’t express what it’s like to go through life for the first time in front of everybody,” she said, recalling her first arena tour that led into this new chapter.
SZA, who draws inspiration from legends like Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, and Pink, plans to “tap into the cosplay of it all” during her performances. The duo’s tour will hit cities across the U.S., including Houston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, wrapping up in Washington, D.C. in June.
SZA was caught off guard when she learned her vocals were featured on Kendrick Lamar’s latest album GNX. Appearing on Sherri, she reminisced about hearing the tracks “Luther” and “Gloria” for the first time, both of which include her voice. “When ‘Luther’ came out, I said, ‘OK — that’s the vocals we’re using, period,’” she said. “Same thing with ‘Gloria,’ I was like, ‘Alright, cool.’”
She went on to express her deep admiration for Kendrick’s mysterious and elusive creative process. “I think he’s such a genius, and part of his genius is his mystery,” she said, reflecting on their musical collaborations. “I feel like he’s a huge part of my ‘fumbling and finding’ era,” she added, acknowledging how Kendrick has pushed her to trust the process and step into moments she never expected.
In a lighthearted moment, she added that she would love to work on a joint album with the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper. “I think that would be amazing,” she shared with a smile.
SZA also talked about how she’s learning from Lamar’s grounded approach to fame. “Teach me, sensei, what you know,” she joked, emphasizing how Kendrick’s balance between success and humility inspires her.
As for her career, SZA is preparing for her first-ever stadium tour alongside Kendrick Lamar. “I can’t express what it’s like to go through life for the first time in front of everybody,” she said, reflecting on the new milestones she’s hitting in her career.
SZA recently revealed how she was taken by surprise when Kendrick Lamar included her vocals on his latest album, GNX. Appearing on Sherri on January 8, the 35-year-old singer recounted her reaction to hearing herself on Lamar’s tracks “Luther” and “Gloria.” “When ‘Luther’ came out, I thought, ‘OK, that’s the vocals we’re using,’” she recalled. “Same thing with ‘Gloria,’ and I said, ‘OK, cool.’”
Despite her initial surprise, SZA is all in when it comes to Kendrick’s creative decisions. She admires his ability to stay mysterious while still being a huge influence on her own creative process. “I feel like he’s a big part of my fumbling and finding era,” she confessed, explaining how trusting Kendrick’s instincts has become a significant part of her journey as an artist.
The Scorsese Baby Daddy singer also spoke about her desire to collaborate more closely with Kendrick. “I think a joint album would be amazing,” she said, acknowledging Kendrick’s genius and ability to inspire.
SZA also opened up about what fans can expect from her first-ever stadium tour, co-headlined with Kendrick Lamar. “There’s so many firsts happening back-to-back,” she said, sharing her excitement for the upcoming performances. The tour will take them across the U.S., with stops in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Detroit, wrapping up in Washington, D.C. in June.
Read more: