SZA Battles AI in Music

In a recent interview, SZA elaborated on her concerns, stating that AI-generated music is "happening disproportionately with Black music" and that she is offended by the "weird, stereotypical struggle music" being created. She argues her competition isn't other artists but a broader "anti-intellectualism and doing things easy." Her critique extends beyond creative integrity to economic impact, questioning how emerging artists like Olivia Dean can collect streaming revenue when AI-generated covers of their songs proliferate online. This stance aligns her with over 200 artists, including Billie Eilish and Stevie Wonder, who signed an open letter demanding tech companies stop using AI to "steal professional artists' voices and likenesses." SZA has also previously raised concerns about the environmental toll of AI. In 2025, she urged fans to research "environmental racism," pointing to the pollution and high energy consumption of AI data centers which she stated disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities. The artist's pushback against digital replication comes as she simultaneously works on new music with a focus on human creativity. She has described studio sessions creating beats from scratch with a live band and contributions from artist Steve Lacy for an unspecified project. While no collaborative album is confirmed, SZA has openly expressed her desire to create one with Kendrick Lamar. Following their work on his *GNX* album, she referred to him as a "genius" and a "sensei" who has been a significant part of her artistic development. Meanwhile, her 2022 album 'SOS' continues to achieve massive success. As of August 2025, it had become the second most-streamed album by a female artist in Spotify's history. The album's deluxe version, 'Lana,' helped propel it back to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in early 2025, nearly two years after its initial release.