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Who is SZA? Everything you need to know about 2025 Super Bowl halftime show guest alongside Kendrick Lamar

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated Feb 9, 2025 4:00 PM ET

Super Bowl 59 is giving Kendrick Lamar and SZA the chance to entertain millions of viewers and build their own international brand. The Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans for the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will be as good as the game itself.

Here's everything you need to know about SZA.

Who is SZA?

SZA, whose real name is Solána Rowe, is a Grammy-winning R&B artist celebrated for her popular tracks “Kill Bill,” “Good Days,” and “Snooze.” She gained recognition with her independently released music, which attracted the attention of Top Dawg Entertainment, making her the label's first female artist in 2013.

Her debut full-length album, Ctrl, released in 2017, received widespread acclaim and achieved platinum certification. However, her 2022 album SOS became an even greater success, debuting at the top of the Billboard 200 and featuring her first No. 1 hit, “Kill Bill.” In 2024, she won a Grammy for Best Progressive R&B Album. SZA has also collaborated with well-known artists like Rihanna, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar.

Her duet with Doja Cat, “Kiss Me More,” won them a Grammy in 2022.

Catch @KendrickLamar with guest @SZA. #AppleMusicHalftime #SBLIX @AppleMusic @RocNation @pgLang @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/97EeiP1Pix
— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2025

SZA NFL Halftime Set List

During the Grammys, SZA was inquired about the details of the upcoming Super Bowl performance.

"That's King Kendrick's performance, and it’s really up to him to share the details," she mentioned, as reported by Cosmopolitan. "All I can say is that he has put in a tremendous amount of effort, and I feel so honored to be a part of it, as well as to know him and to exist in the same era as someone so brilliant."

Why is SZA Playing the 2025 NFL Halftime Show?

At an Apple Music press conference before the Super Bowl, Kendrick shared that he and SZA are confirmed for their performance. He said, "We haven’t really had the chance to digest it yet, because everything has been moving quickly with production and rehearsals. We talk, but we haven't had a moment to really settle into it."

He also expressed his admiration for SZA, his longtime friend and collaborator. "For me, witnessing her journey and how far she has come is truly incredible," he remarked. "I finally understand how others have seen my rise, having been there from the start when she was writing, discarding songs, and penning new ones. Writing songs is tough, and I know that desire for greatness... seeing her talent so prominently now is just amazing. She’s always had it, and I feel honored to be alongside her."

How much is the NFL paying SZA for the NFL Halftime Show?

It may sound strange, but Super Bowl halftime performers don't receive any payment for their performances! However, they benefit financially from the significant exposure that comes with the Super Bowl, given its massive viewership. With over 100 million viewers tuning in, many people became interested in the artist's music after the show.

For instance, after Rihanna's performance at the 2023 Super Bowl, her Spotify streams surged by 640%, according to The Mirror. One estimate suggests that the publicity and interest generated from her performance were worth around $88 million.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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