SZA hasn’t released an album since 2017’s CTRL and according to some recent tweets, it looks like it may be awhile before a follow-up arrives. On Wednesday (August 19), the Top Dawg Entertainment singer hopped on Twitter to answer some fan questions about the impending project.
She replied, “At this point y’all gotta ask punch. I’ve done all I can do.” When asked if she thought her relationship with the label was “adverse” or “hostile,” SZA wrote, “BEEN hostile.”
This prompted the TDE president to fire back with, “I am a person and you guys are hurting my feelings. I’m gonna remember you n*ggas once the meet and greets pop off again.”
The exchange almost mirrors the one Punch and SZA had prior to CTRL‘s release. In 2016, the New Jersey-raised vocalist “quit” the label amid frustrations with Punch.
“I actually quit,” she tweeted at the time. “@iamstillpunch can release my album if he ever feels like it. Y’all be blessed.” She quickly deleted her sentiments.
Punch, on the other hand, didn’t directly respond to her threat. Instead, he posted a GIF of the Joker and simply wrote, “LOL” at the top.
CTRL was initially expected to arrive on February 3, 2017 but didn’t surface until June of that year. It debuted at No. 3 on the US Billboard 200, moving roughly 60,000 equivalent-album units in its first week. “Drew Barrymore,” “Love Galore,” “The Weekend” and “Broken Clocks.” In March 2018, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
It was also nominated for four Grammy Awards along with a nod for SZA in the Best New Artist category and named HipHopDX’s 2017 R&B Album of the Year.
SZA's "CTRL" Album Isn't Coming Out February 3
Shortly after the project dropped, SZA thanked her fans for the 2.3 billion streams CTRL collected upon its release.
“Today I found out we 2.3 billion streams deep and a buncha other cool stuff,” she wrote. “I love my family. I love you all for pressing play at any time. Thank you for this journey @dangerookipawaa @iamstillpunch @rcarecords Thank you God for this existence.”
Always fucked wit baby…
I seriously hope this label situation is not going starve us of another offering from SZA. It honestly feels like its been long enough. Let’s hope TDE can get their act together.
Of course TDE has fucked up with all these artists joining their roster but can’t release their albums with a decent frequency. Each artist is almost dropping an album every 3 or 4 years wtf ??! Of course it creates frustration and anger when your label is holding your music back and make you hostage of the situation. FOH ! Last album from Ab-Soul and Isaiah were released in 2016. Kendrick and SZA dropped in 2017. Top Dawg and Punch gotta wake the fuck up
Q and Jay Rock dropped in 2018 but I bet they won’t release a new album until 2021 or 2022
If SZA got an album ready TDE needs to drop it. That label is pretty dead right now to be honest.
TDEs next album round better be dope…
TDE thrives off tour money and merch, they aint dropping shit til tours and show money to go with a project is available, that looks blantantly obvious.
business DNA Vist this site….GoCash9 please add a “.com” and open a web page
The quicker they drop albums the faster they meet their contract obligation and none of them want that shit..Free agency scares the fuck outta TDE cause imagine them.paying their artists what they are REALLY worth..
As a TDE fan, I agree with the other comments. Top Dawg and Punch need to get their acts together and figure out a new game plan to satisfy their fans during this COVID era.
Time for TDE to drop something. What the fuck is the hold up?
Free SZA
Didn’t these Kats learn anything from strange music!? Tech school’d em..Hate them or not, Strange stay relevant.