music influence explorer
Music discovery · Influence explorer

Artists like SZA — and the music that made them

Alternative R&B · 2012-present
Neo-soul's vulnerable queen crafting intimate R&B confessions
SZA is a Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter who revolutionized contemporary soul with her deeply personal, unfiltered approach to love, self-doubt, and growth. Her breakthrough album 'Ctrl' established her as a defining voice of millennial R&B, blending alternative production with raw emotional honesty.
Essential tracks
►Good Days
►I Hate U
►Broken Clocks
Did you know
Her stage name SZA comes from the Supreme Alphabet, meaning 'Savior' or 'Zig-Zag-Zig'
She was a competitive gymnast in high school and almost quit music multiple times
She's Muslim and incorporates elements of her faith into her artistic philosophy
“Vulnerable confessional songwriting meets dreamy, atmospheric alternative R&B production.”
2
generations
of influence
Influence tree
Trace SZA's roots back through history
Every sound has a source. Click any node to hear the connection.
SZA
2012-present
Frank Ocean
2011-present
cited
Lauryn Hill
1993-present
cited
Erykah Badu
1997-present
cited
Aaliyah
1994-2001
sonic
D'Angelo
1995-present
sonic
Sade
1984-2010
sonic
Billie Holiday
1933-1959
movement
Stevie Wonder
1961-present
movement
↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.
What makes the sound
Sonic elements
Breathy, conversational vocals
Lo-fi, atmospheric production
Guitar-driven arrangements
Confessional, stream-of-consciousness lyrics
Start with these tracks
Good Days
Love Galore
The Weekend
Broken Clocks
If you like SZA, try these
Kali Uchis
Shares dreamy vocals and genre-blending alternative R&B approach.
2010s · Alternative R&B
Summer Walker
Similar intimate vocal style and confessional songwriting about relationships.
2010s · Alternative R&B
Jhené Aiko
Comparable ethereal vocals and introspective, healing-focused lyrics.
2010s · Alternative R&B
H.E.R.
Shares guitar-driven R&B production and vulnerable storytelling approach.
2010s · Alternative R&B
Solange
Similar experimental R&B sound and artistic independence.
2010s · Alternative R&B
FKA twigs
Comparable ethereal production and experimental approach to R&B.
2010s · Alternative R&B
About this page

Music like SZA — SZA is a Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter who revolutionized contemporary soul with her deeply personal, unfiltered approach to love, self-doubt, and growth. Her breakthrough album 'Ctrl' established her as a defining voice of millennial R&B, blending alternative production with raw emotional honesty.

Artists like SZA today include Kali Uchis, Summer Walker, Jhené Aiko, H.E.R.. If you enjoy SZA, these artists share similar sonic qualities, influences, and emotional range.

Bands like SZA and songs like SZA are among the most searched music discovery queries — rootz.guru goes deeper by tracing the roots of the sound itself, not just surface-level similarity.

music influence explorer · ai-powered