SZA has announced that she has parted ways with longtime manager and Top Dawg Entertainment executive, Punch.
The two have had a professional relationship dating back to 2012 but the singer revealed they have now gone their separate ways after the chaotic rollout of her SOS deluxe, Lana.
In comments on Instagram, SZA wrote: “Nothing to celebrate. The end of an era. I wish him the best whatever his choices may be.”
She added: “And to be clear I love punch deeply ! NO ONE should be attacking him or being cruel on my behalf . Sometimes ppl grow apart and that’s okay.”
SZA parts ways with her manager Punch. pic.twitter.com/emG4d6oUEv
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) December 26, 2024
SZA also suggested there was discord behind the scenes regarding the release of extra songs that were left off Lana: “Those were tracks punch and I spoke about releasing together prior. Obviously he stepped away abruptly so sorting the drop out was a bit tricky. Pls Give me a second .. they’ll be loaded.”
SZA responds to questions about the release of the tracks ‘PSA’ and ‘Take You Down’ via Instagram:
“those were tracks punch and I spoke about releasing together prior.
Obviously he stepped away abruptly so sorting the drop out was a bit tricky. Pls Give me a second .. they’ll be… pic.twitter.com/LTF5N1gyjs— Pop Base (@PopBase) December 26, 2024
Punch also appeared to address the situation on social media, commenting: “SMH. Change your bio and everything goes haywire. Sheesh. I’m beginning to suspect some of you guys don’t fancy me very much.”
He then added: “It kind of bothers me how the true meaning of ‘crash out’ got diluted and reduced to someone just saying mean things. Random thought. Madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is a little push.”
SMH. Change your bio and everything goes haywire. Sheesh. I’m beginning to suspect some of you guys don’t fancy me very much.
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) December 26, 2024
Madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is a little push. pic.twitter.com/oHredtiKoU
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) December 26, 2024
SZA later appeared to comment on his remarks, saying: “Now now now … let’s keep it cute. It’s Christmas.”
Now now now … let’s keep it cute . 🙂↕️ it’s Christmas .
— SZA (@sza) December 26, 2024
Lana has been beset by numerous delays since it was first spoken about in 2023 with SZA missing its release date by several hours due to issues with the mixing.
SZA has also said that she will be further editing the project with songs being updated over the holiday season. She said: “This means nothing to you but had to say it for me lol . Who knows u might notice.”
It is not known if these issues are related to the end of her relationship with Punch.
It remains to be seen how this affects SZA’s relationship with longtime home, Top Dawg Entertainment where Punch serves as co-president.
They dug their own grave the day they decided that each of their artists would release an album every 4/5 years. I’m even surprised that SZA didn’t decide to leave earlier and that the other artists haven’t yet tried to break their contracts and get the hell out of this crematorium that has ruined the careers they should have had…
The moment she agreed to all that collagen and her bbl she sold her soul permanently. Everything you said was totally agreeable but let’s not front like she wasn’t the weakest link in the label chain besides Jay Rock.
All of her albums went 3x platinum. So what are you even talking about her being the weakest link of the label??
Numbers don’t mean shit never have never will. And sex sells so cretins like you can afford it lolol.
He is the brains behind SZA and hasn’t missed yet. I wish her the best.