5 Surprising Facts About SZA’s “SOS”

Every once in a while, an album redefines the music landscape, and in 2022, SZA’s SOS did just that. The record isn’t just a showcase of her incredible vocal ability and songwriting—it’s a cultural milestone that blends vulnerability, empowerment, and bold artistry. Fans worldwide were captivated by its themes of heartbreak, self-discovery, and resilience, but there’s much more beneath the surface. Here are five lesser-known facts about SOS that make it even more remarkable.

1. Princess Diana Inspired the Album Cover
The iconic SOS album cover, featuring SZA perched on a diving board over a vast ocean, is a direct homage to a 1997 paparazzi photo of Princess Diana aboard a yacht in the Mediterranean. SZA said she was drawn to how the image conveyed isolation and introspection, themes that resonate deeply throughout the album. While the original concept involved shooting on a shipping barge, last-minute adjustments led to the now-famous diving board image. The haunting serenity of the cover perfectly mirrors the album’s exploration of solitude, longing, and strength.

2. A 100-Song Writing Process
SZA wrote over 100 songs while creating SOS, an impressive feat that speaks to her intense creative process. Though only 23 tracks made the final cut, this overflow of material highlights her relentless dedication to capturing every emotion and story she wanted to share. The writing spanned years, with bursts of productivity often fueled by looming deadlines. SZA’s willingness to experiment and refine her work ultimately resulted in an album that feels expansive yet cohesive, balancing introspective ballads with bold, genre-defying tracks.

3. Groundbreaking Chart Success
SOS shattered records, becoming the first R&B album since Whitney Houston’s Whitney (1987) to spend its first seven weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200. It also broke the record for the largest streaming week for an R&B album in U.S. history, cementing SZA’s dominance in the digital era. Beyond the numbers, the album’s staying power is remarkable—it remained at the top for 12 non-consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running #1 female album of the decade at the time. This success solidifies SZA as one of the most influential artists of her generation.

4. The All-Star Guest List
SOS features collaborations with an eclectic mix of artists, including Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott, and even the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard. SZA personally reached out to many artists she admired, though only a few were able to contribute in time. Bridgers recorded her verse for “Ghost in the Machine” just a week before the album’s release. Each feature brings something unique to the table, blending seamlessly with SZA’s introspective and genre-defying approach, showcasing her ability to elevate collaborations into integral parts of her narrative.


5. “Kill Bill” Broke Records
“Kill Bill,” one of the standout tracks from SOS, became a chart-topping phenomenon. The song spent eight weeks at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 before reaching #1, thanks in part to a remix featuring Doja Cat. It also broke the record for the longest-running #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, staying at the top for 21 weeks. The song’s dark yet relatable lyrics about heartbreak and revenge struck a chord with fans, while its nostalgic boom-bap production showcased SZA’s ability to bring classic sounds into a modern context.

SZA’s SOS pushed boundaries and redefined what R&B can be. From its record-breaking achievements to its deeply personal themes and innovative collaborations, SOS is a testament to SZA’s unparalleled artistry. Whether it’s the introspective lyrics, genre-blending production, or unforgettable visuals, SOS continues to win new fans daily and show why her SZA’s place as one of the defining artists of her generation is set.