Where is SZA from? Ethnicity, age, family, and real name
SZA's ethnicity is African-American. Born Solána Imani Rowe on 8 November 1989 in St. Louis, Missouri, she was raised in Maplewood, New Jersey, in a mixed-faith household; her father is Muslim, and her mother is Christian. Now one of R&B's biggest stars, SZA has won multiple Grammy Awards and co-headlined the 2025 Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar.
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Key takeaways
- SZA's real name is Solána Imani Rowe, born 8 November 1989 in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Her ethnicity is African-American; her mother has Cameroonian (Bamileke) roots.
- She was raised Muslim and wore a hijab as a child.
- SZA has no confirmed children and is not married or in a confirmed relationship.
- Her estimated net worth in 2026 is approximately $50 million.
SZA's profile summary
Full Name | Solána Imani Rowe |
Date of birth | 8 November 1989 |
Age | 36 years old (as of September 2026) |
Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
Place of birth | St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
Nationality | American |
Height | 5'4" (164 cm) |
Relationship status | Single |
Parents | Abdul Mubarak-Rowe (father); Audrey Rowe (mother) |
Children | None (as of 2026) |
Education | Columbia High School, Delaware State University (Marine Biology; did not graduate) |
Profession | Singer-songwriter, record producer |
Net worth | $50M (estimated, 2026) |
Who is SZA?
SZA is a renowned American R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She signed with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2013, becoming the label's first female artist. SZA's 2017 debut studio album, Ctrl, launched her to global fame.
The artist has since won multiple Grammy Awards, including four at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2024. SZA's best-known singles include Good Days, Kill Bill, Snooze, and Nobody Gets Me. She made her feature film debut in the 2025 buddy comedy One of Them Days, portraying Alyssa alongside Keke Palmer.
What is SZA's real name?
SZA's real name is Solána Imani Rowe. She adopted the stage name SZA, pronounced "sizza", early in her career. The name is drawn from the Supreme Alphabet used in the Nation of Gods and Earths. SZA stands for Sovereign, Zig-Zag, Allah.
Where did SZA grow up?
SZA was born on 8 November 1989 in St. Louis, Missouri, but grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey. She attended Columbia High School there. SZA later enrolled at Delaware State University but dropped out in her final semester to pursue music.
Source: Original
What is SZA's ethnicity?
SZA's ethnicity is African-American. Her mother, Audrey Rowe, has roots in the Bamileke ethnic group of Cameroon. Her father, Abdul Mubarak-Rowe, is also of African-American heritage.
The R&B star has described her background as shaped by African-American and West African influences, as well as her parents' different faith traditions.
Who are SZA's parents?
SZA's father is Abdul Mubarak-Rowe, a former video producer at CNN. Her mother, Audrey Rowe, is a former executive at AT&T.
Her father is Muslim; her mother is Christian. Both attended each other's places of worship for special occasions, which shaped SZA's mixed-faith upbringing.
Who are SZA's siblings?
SZA has two siblings: a half-sister, Panya Rowe, who is 11 years her senior, and a brother, Daniel Rowe, a rapper who performs under the name Manhattan.
Is SZA Muslim?
Yes, SZA identifies as Muslim. She was raised in an orthodox Muslim household and wore a hijab throughout elementary and early middle school.
After the September 11, 2001 attacks, SZA stopped wearing the hijab due to fears of Islamophobic bullying. She has spoken openly about her faith in several interviews.
SZA's career highlights
SZA rose to prominence after signing with TDE in 2013. Her breakthrough album Ctrl (2017) featured collaborations with Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, and James Fauntleroy.
SZA is also a highly sought-after songwriter. She wrote Consideration for Rihanna's 2016 album Anti. While talking about her early motivation for music, SZA told Zane Lowe in her 2024 Apple Music interview:
When I started making music, it was to my ex-fiancé because he was paying for everything... I was so codependent, and he was so talented. His ex-girlfriends were all lawyers, businesswomen, and artists…and I'm a college dropout... I felt like I lacked value.
At the 66th Grammy Awards (February 2024), she won four awards, including Best R&B Song and Best Progressive R&B Album.
SZA's latest news
SZA and Kendrick Lamar's Grand National Tour (2025)
SZA co-headlined the Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar in 2025. The tour grossed over $350 million, making it the highest-grossing co-headlining tour in history. Their collaboration 30 for 30 debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B Songs Chart in early 2025.
SZA joins Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl Halftime Show (2025)
SZA joined Kendrick Lamar at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, one of the most-watched musical performances of the year.
New Jersey Hall of Fame (2026)
SZA was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026. She was honoured under the Performing Arts & Entertainment category. The singer joined a notable group of New Jersey icons including Lauryn Hill, Frank Sinatra, Queen Latifah, and Whitney Houston.
What is SZA's net worth?
SZA's net worth in 2026 is estimated to be $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth and other 2026 sources. Her income comes from:
- Music streaming and album sales
- Concert touring, including the 2025 Grand National Tour
- Brand deals with major companies like Mastercard and SKIMS
- Songwriting credits for Rihanna, Beyoncé, and others
FAQs
- What is SZA's real name? Her real name is Solána Imani Rowe. She adopted the stage name SZA early in her career.
- How old is SZA? SZA is 36 years old as of September 2026. She was born on 8 November 1989 and turns 37 in November 2026.
- Where is SZA from? SZA was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Maplewood, New Jersey.
- What is SZA's ethnicity? SZA's ethnicity is African-American. Her mother has Cameroonian (Bamileke) heritage.
- Is SZA Muslim? Yes. SZA was raised Muslim and identifies with the faith. She wore a hijab as a child and has spoken publicly about her religious upbringing.
- Does SZA have a daughter? No. SZA has no confirmed children. She has spoken in interviews about wanting children in the future but has not announced a pregnancy or birth.
- Is SZA part of LGBTQ? SZA has never publicly identified with a specific sexual orientation. When a fan described her as a lesbian, she replied, "it's not wrong lol," but has made no formal statement.
- When did SZA get her BBL? SZA confirmed she had a BBL in the opening track of her December 2022 album, SOS. She later said in a November 2024 British Vogue interview, "I'm so mad I did that," but added that she loves the results.
Conclusion
SZA was a small-town New Jersey girl before she became a multi-Grammy-winning R&B star dominating the global charts. She has remained loyal to her roots, which led to her induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
Venic Mwendwa Venic Nyanchama is a copywriter with more than two years of working experience in the journalism world. She has an educational background in Journalism and Media Studies from the University of Nairobi having graduated in 2014. Venic works on topics in Facts and Life Hacks since 2018. Email address: venicmwendwa@gmail.com
Cyprine Apindi (Lifestyle writer) Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and educator with over seven years of experience. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University (graduated in 2017). Cyprine joined Briefly.co.za in mid-2021, covering multiple topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. In 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Cyprine received the 2023 and 2025 Writer of the Year awards. Email: cyprineapindi@gmail.com
