SZA Rides Horses & Shares The Inspiration Behind 'Ctrl' | IRL

Maplewood, N.J. native SZA took three years to record and release her debut album 'Ctrl,' but now that the project is out, it feels like she never left. The first singer to sign with TDE, SZA rose to fame off the strength of her mixtapes 'See.SZA.Run,' 'S,' and 'Z.' She linked up with Genius' own Rob Markman at GallopNYC in Brooklyn to chat about working with Rihanna, loving animals, and coming up with her stage name.
Read more on Genius: genius.com/a/irl-sza-rides-ho...
Read all the lyrics to 'Ctrl' on Genius: genius.com/albums/Sza/Ctrl
Host: Rob Markman
Producer: Felicia Kelley
Director: Justin Hogan
Additional Camera: Jeffrey Soffer, Taylor Jones
Editor: Justin Hogan
Subscribe to Genius: bit.ly/2cNV6nz
Genius on Twitter: / genius
Genius on Instagram: / genius
Genius on Facebook: / geniusdotcom
genius.com

[@MRGIVENODAMN]

*SZA*"Do you wanna ride a little" *Horse* "Shiiii ain't gotta ask me twice"

[@akittynamedcat]

lmao

[@Fuziontony123]

Marc I could hear it that

[@julianelam3930]

😭

[@vgueafrica]

he was cheesing the whole time bc SZA must be even more beautiful in person

[@RobMarkman]

and talented. Physically and spiritually she brings a great vibe to the room

[@rockodashpr]

Who Doesn't Love Bae SZA shes the whole package and not to forget how drop dead gorgeous she is 😭😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@TeeakaGigglez]

swanktheindigo she really is. And such a cute bubbly personality.

[@Mojojojo9828]

Man I’d be cheesing too. Shit I’d start blushing!

[@Mojojojo9828]

I’d start giggling too

[@alexxroyce3322]

Dawg this shit feel like a date on a mtv show

[@MrGNugget]

Alexx Dynasty lmaooo, forreal i blame the music

[@cabrera14651]

Alexx Dynasty accurate ass fawk

[@Cee42007]

😩😂

[@Nassit-Gnuoy]

Her voice is soothing even when she's not singing.

[@rockodashpr]

Tissan Young Agreed 😍 shes so wifey

[@ShunJulio]

She has the most beautiful soul ever. So down to earth and loving! 😍😍😍

[@rockodashpr]

LaShunsLounge agree shes more then BAE she wifey 😍😍😍😍😍

[@trippleguns4062]

So true

[@siristarburst9]

She's a Scorpio .. Remember that There's a whole other thing happening underside

[@Toastmyheart]

For real so true 😅😂😅❤😅❤😅❤😅❤😊❤😅❤😊❤😅😂😊❤😂❤😅❤😊❤😅❤😊❤😊❤😊❤😊❤😊❤😊❤😊❤😊

[@luv4revenge]

Her smile 😍😁 it's contagious

[@elijahashman9716]

I need I need

[@nineteenct]

Elijah Ashman I need I need

[@rockodashpr]

True her smile is so Beautiful 😍😍😍

[@myla2394]

SZA is adorable

[@bridoublett]

Her saying " Idk what I want & Idk who I am " made me cry girl I feel the same way ..

[@temporary6715]

Britt Humphrey Don’t even worry about it... it just means you basic too.

[@avrilllllaaaviiigne6053]

@@temporary6715 poo

[@TyMcKinnie]

I swear every dude who interviews her low-key falls in love. Like they all go mack mode or something.

[@xandydolore7340]

Seeing that she barely hesitated and her answers were full-hearted you can tell that she is an artist who gives meaningful, amazing, beautiful, and genuine music

[@jerzeyrebel4797]

Been rocking with sza since the S ep , Her and Jhene is like therapy music . Even though I'm a straight guy I relate and connect to her music alot ...

[@Ty-tc9zi]

Yungking 47 way to protect your masculinity with that "even though I'm a straight guy" note. music is music, anyone can relate to it, no matter your sexuality man. Come on

[@ohdangmybad]

i thought about this as well. it's her story and the way she puts it out there is so honest and true. you don't have to have the same experiences to feel that honesty.

[@jonvenanzi5951]

i think he jus meant that its refreshing to connect deeply with music that very distinctly talks from a "female dealing with men" perspective. dont take sides and try to understand he's giving mad respect to these women for reaching such a diverse audience, essentially agreeing with your statements as well.

[@Ty-tc9zi]

Jon Venanzi right. So if he wasn't taking sides and is understanding them, why add the fact that he's a straight male?? That wasnt needed. At the end of the day, dude is still human and every emotion and possible situation she's talking about, we've all be thru, maybe not the same degree, but it's happened. Come on now.

[@jonvenanzi5951]

i was more so speaking to your comment. no need to take side and worry about the way he stated it. jus support the guy. i agree with his angle. a lot of straight dudes feel they cant like or understand this perspective of music BECAUSE of masculinity, its dumb but true. it feels like his mention of being a straight guy was to other straight guys, that they should take the time to understand SZA. not jus brush off for being a side they dont personally deal with. jus my take tho.

[@ayomikunajulo5483]

I could listen to SZA say Go Gina forever. 🕊

[@watercolorlies]

Ayomikun Ajulo Yesssss one of my fave songs on the album!!!

[@blueberrycandycorn]

Sza holding me down till lana drops her album, if it even drops.

[@rockodashpr]

Same 😂😂

[@lindsay644]

Her voice is so beautiful.

[@jaydamay6815]

"I love Go Ginaaaa !!" 🥰

[@dreadlocks.the.destroyer]

SZA be having dudes crushin HAAARRRDD! She is a gift no doubt

[@northwestsingin345]

I'm in love with her

[@JupiterThe_genie]

alex mtsier legitimately same

[@yyg4632]

everyone is

[@datnuk305]

Bruh I'd marry SZA n a minute.

[@rockodashpr]

ChefKeif_NC no u won't thats my wife 😠😂 makes zero sense for her to be side chick like she talks about in her music i think she lieing haha she knows she Aint side chick material and not even BAE material Bruhhhhhh She is wifey material 😍😍😍

[@oliviab8425]

hehe freal

[@yamite6864]

I gonna be straight for her...

[@ISTHATELISABETH]

Same ong 😂

[@majestymxnt7384]

SZA kinda seems like the kind of girl who you dont wanna say anything mean to because it would make her cry.

[@rockodashpr]

K!NG MXNT you say anything mean to my wife ima kick yo ass you know what im Saiyan 😂😝

[@majestymxnt7384]

good Vibes Dead ass 😂😂

[@Reallifedigitalgirl]

Nah man she's a Scorpio​

[@majestymxnt7384]

Lorelle Moore She still looks that way.

[@zerafmaxx1010]

She's a Scorpio...you would end up being the one crying.

[@amadeusic6181]

i love how she releases music in terms of her spiritually, she's not money hungry. that's why i love her so much.

[@TaylorJonae]

I love her vibe she's just relaxing and calm

[@HarryVerolme]

Everyone speaking on SZA, but let's not forget the GOAT interviewer Rob Markman.

[@ETRNLIZE]

Harry Verolme facts

[@vincesims2404]

Idk why she would know about being a side chick when she wifey? 🤔🤔🤔

[@jojodunn835]

Vince Sims that's what I love about her music. she speaks a woman's truth. I think of Drew Barrymore as a reference. girls are willing to behave like side chicks in hopes of being wifed up, even when we know it's just false hope. it's a painful honesty but what's inspiring about sea's music is she flips it to that realization and why she's worth being in a stable relationship.

[@kelleysylvester5158]

haha right! shes a queen!!

[@Royal.tttttt]

💕Her soul just lights the room.💕

[@madees1765]

She is such an ethereal queen wow

[@Ty-tc9zi]

Yoooo she wrote the whole song of consideration. AND I noticed how they genius cut that part off quick when she said t lmao

[@Trillablanco]

She's a goddess...

[@planbsponserme]

I love her personality. I didn't like her recent Everyday Struggle or Breakfast club interviews, but after following her IG, listening to her album, and seeing this interview I consider myself a fan of hers now.

[@lolOloveOlol21]

Why didn't you like those interviews?

[@Strawberryfearsforever]

DNG3 those other interviews were amazing though. Especially The BC interview.

[@cookiemonstah2244]

SZA is so amazing ❤️ 😍

[@isaiahh1079]

SZA is so beautiful 😍 Her personality is dope af!

[@tjmmatthews2930]

no she better not leave us hanging , i hope she stays in music for as long as she can

[@jewelhall2747]

Sza 😍😍😍

[@reglauren6960]

Black is beautiful and sza is a great example of it😍

[@wallansoliveira9413]

"Just give us a song every once in a while. That's all we ask" PLEASE

[@shaystuh]

ive watched pretty much all of her interviews and this is the best one. it's beautiful

[@seauxsouthern504]

shay c. I said the exact same thing! It's very personal and intimate much like her. Rob was nothing like those other vultures that interviewed her before.

[@shamaya3300]

Consideration is my favorite song on the anti album the fact she wrote it I just love her even more 😍😍

[@vanusaneto]

Who doesn't like Rob's energie tho? He's dope as hell.

[@daisyb139]

SZA is the cutest lil bean to ever be seen

[@ashlynh.0428]

SZA pleaseeeee keep making music, the world needs you and your energy !

[@gardenoflaina]

Sza is getting hella press. I'm happy for her flourishing as a creative. Go girl.

[@milimans18]

I'm so happy for her newfound success she deserves it! Not too many artists like her.

[@cabucinho6421]

She's so fucking beautiful 😍😍😍😍😍

[@ohdangmybad]

SZA something else

[@bluemoonlightgem8627]

she inspires me to become a better singer and songwriter

[@AjaDarling]

She is she is such a ray of light. Love her so much.

[@ShaniahHolloway]

she's such a sweetheart I love her

[@bingbongbang45]

She is such a beautiful soul and I'm just so enamored by her beauty and eloquence

[@steadystrivin2904]

this interview is beautiful.

[@FEMINAOMI]

SHE IS PERFECT!

[@agapelove8862]

He hi-key took her in a date lol

[@Bombshellbiggy]

Why is she such a superior soul?!?! I love his girl !!!

[@Lopezontherun1]

She's tooooo much like me, wanting to constantly evolve never wanting to be in the same place.

[@flytjsosweet]

I live for the editing of this video as much as I do for sza.

[@ciscoisaboss]

This is so amazing, you can really see this feelings and emotions that she talks about in here portrayed on the album

[@theresaz5130]

I really like SZA personality, she seems so cool and sweet♥♥♥

[@jazminer0616]

she's one of my favorite artists I love how real she is, she doesn't try to paint herself as perfect💜❤💛💚💙

[@CCG-rg5ku]

Rob is so sweet , loved this interview

[@formula1facebookfan]

aside from the quality questions, this was great. Please give the video editor who colour graded this video a raise. STUNNING PALETTE

[@AlpacaFart]

What a respectful interviewer. I was receiving positive vibes the whole time I was watching this. Couldn't stop watching because Solana is just so interesting to express and explain her art form. I feel like we can all relate to having no control, trying to gain control, and pretending like we have it all under control.

[@ig3ntl3man3]

the sight of her calms me down...

[@wirenoose6955]

Rob tryna finesse, i see ya playboi

[@thoyo]

Wire Noose idk, I feel like he's just a genuine dude who was vibing with a genuine woman, talking about music and life

[@taliaatauatolo2559]

Wire Noose cheesing mad hard.

[@tdiman46]

he married tho lmao

[@lastsaiyanleft]

he not slick

[@shooshooshooshooshooter]

it's rare for me to find anyone infectious. Like, I admire people and their art but never more than that. But damn, I caught myself smiling and not even knowing I was doing it like a dozen times while watching this.

[@jaybrooks3762]

This interview was so beautiful. Beautiful energy. Beautiful visuals. Beautiful soul. Beautiful animals. Just beautiful.

[@ChrisVllen]

SZA sounds like she is really easy to talk to. mad positive and super mellow.

[@MALXCX]

SZA is so deep.. I have mad respect for her 💙

[@5d.estiny]

This video represents every reason why I love her 😩😍 beautiful all around

[@DymeJackson]

Her voice 😍😭

[@katpizo]

sza is an artist through and through

[@liljdub08]

They had me at "SZA Rides Horses", i clicked before i even saw the rest. I'm not even into horses

[@nukiebutt]

This is probably my favorite sza interview so far I loved his energy and the chemistry of them together just felt so organic

[@a.m.4513]

this is the quality content I signed up for,,

[@jackieo.8719]

I see my baby I click as simple as that

[@deandreb2380]

I love SZA so much I stay singing her songs from "Z"

[@daughterchild1254]

yo genius got the best interviews hands down i fucks with genius heavy. and sza needs to be the mother of my future child

[@CharismasJourney]

THIS WAS AMAZING. So inspirational!!! Love you SZA and I loved how fluid this interview was.

[@rowan983]

When Travis $cott touch a song. He can never do no wrong 🔥🔥🔥

[@alicehildwein6104]

Jthabasedgawd Travis added nothing to that song...! Travis Scott sucks!

[@rowan983]

Alice Hildwein you scheelp. I'll wait till you're woke

[@GRIMM2197]

Jthabasedgawd that's a damn lie

[@ariagonzalez5848]

la flame keep makin 🔥

[@usamaarshad8269]

Facts

[@iTecumseh]

0:48, how I feel lookin at SZA's gorgeous self

[@paolo5845]

12:09-12:45 i love this part so badly.

[@yyg4632]

I really gotta admire what she said near the end, she makes all this beautiful music and is so succesful, but shes ready to stop at any time if she just feels like its what she needs to grow or feels like moving on..You just knowww shes not doing this for anything but the artistic expression. Thats the way to live right there

[@kazouathaoo]

I'm glad she got 'caught up' because this beautiful art wouldn't exsist

[@whatsgood6440]

Why y'all saying they'd be cute together??? You already know ain't nobody good enough for our SZA 🙄

[@ch3rryywav3s]

omg her voice is so soothing

[@ElexisTx]

I love this interviewer. He's so knowledgeable and adapts well to the energy the artists give off.

[@MsJustLovley]

This is like the best album I've heard this year. Everything was perfect. I can't wait for you to see you in sacramento this September!!

[@deanoor9391]

SZA is one definition of the word PERFECTION

[@MultiGogo45]

Digging this woman the more time progresses... can't wait to see her evolution

[@bRIOn909]

Her live performances are to die for!

[@karahdaniel7266]

She such a sweetheart

[@javiergomez4990]

Why do I feel so relaxed as am watching this interview

[@andrecab1125]

they really chose the perfect dude to interview SZA, the vibes and chemistry between them two really be immaculate and on point.

[@guccibandhana3661]

He's an amazing interviewer, totally gets her. aaaahhh i just love sza

[@braypotato]

love the guy who did the interview, really sweet & genuine. also SZA is a fucking goddess.

[@AleighaNicole]

I love this interview ❤ From the visuals to just hearing SZA speak. Rob did his thing too, of course.

[@demyasdiary]

her voice is so soothing like, girlll yes

[@C00kii0]

i wish her all the luck and love in her future.

[@ianhartdige]

Ugh I WISH I WAS THERE! great interview!!

[@moody4545]

I love you sza, please don't stop !

[@aliyahrants5092]

This was such an amazing interview. Thank you, Rap Genius lol. 🙌🏾

[@aarond9563]

I love SZA so much in so many different ways.

[@EboJ13]

I love her even more after this! She's already dope then to learn she loves animals. She's so my homegirl in my head 💛💖

[@vibewithlou7491]

I love her I love you yo! She's helping me thru so much right now

[@nijachild]

I remember seeing her years ago perform in NJ her vibe is out of this world!!!

[@bridgetaltez]

Crazy she got the same thoughts about the process of when she’s ready to release an album. I love her

[@AlohaAmie]

she is an angel.