SZA Is A Testament To Feeling Fear & Doing It Anyway

Somehow, we all seem to effortlessly gravitate toward our divine purpose and SZA found hers writing ballads for twenty-something-year-old black girls, yearning for sexual liberation and emotional freedom. Almost a year after her releasing her debut album, CTRL, SZA is still killing it. She recently teamed up with Jordan Brand and artist Hattie Stewart to create their 2018 Spring/Summer campaign. In an interview with Air Jordan, the alternative R&B queen spoke of the intent behind her purpose:

"I want people to feel. And feel okay about feeling. Feel okay about trying. Feel okay about being. I wanna make it less criminal to be human."

The 27-year-old breakout artist had a helluva year, but her success hasn't been granted without her own share of disappointments. It's hard to believe that a woman with five Grammy nominations and an album that just went platinum was job-hopping and sleeping on other people's couches just a few years ago.

SZA, born Solana Rowe, was raised in a devout Muslim household in New Jersey where she attended prep school and later went on to study Marine Biology. Ultimately, she realized her passion to pursue music, and dedicated her life to becoming a recording artist and songwriter, even if that dream meant facing some harsh truths: growth is pain. In a 2014 episode of JAY-Z's Life + Times, SZA said:

"My parents wanted me to go to school. They spent so much money on me getting an education, and I totally f*cked them. Like it's crazy how much money I owe the government. So much money, it's crazy. And I did it in a very classless way, like I failed out of my last semester because I didn't go to class."

Failure is just as much a part of the process as winning on the pathway to success, arguably even more important than attaining the gold itself.

"Failure is a gift. It teaches you how to reformat yourself for the better. The key is to refine your response."

Despite your shortcomings, what's for you will be yours. One woman's opposition could be another woman's opportunity. SZA is a testament to that truth. Dropping out of college with no place to live and no money may mean failure to some, but to her, it was the makings of her success.

Regarding one's journey and trusting the process, SZA told The New York Times:

"It's like God is slapping you in the face. There's something happening and you need to be grateful and you need to be present. I'm sorry that you're scared, but this is your job."

How many of your fears are stopping you from becoming the woman of your dreams?

Self-doubt is natural, especially in a world where life is analyzed and criticized by social media; but if you don't believe in your dream, no one will.

"Every facet of my life, I'm facing fear," she explains. "Each moment feels like the first time, especially now. Red carpets, singing in front of tons of people you don't know and believing in yourself."

"Walking through the fear brings freedom and weightlessness… no matter the outcome."

Even one of SZA's earliest critics, her father can't deny the magic his daughter brings to the world now. I bet he's glad she's not a marine biologist.

Note to self: Just do you, girl. The rest will come.

Featured image by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images