Solána Imani Rowe, known by her stage name SZA, recently sparked excitement among her fans by adopting a Nigerian Igbo name, Amarachi Chinonso, a choice that resonated deeply with many Nigerian fans.
In the Nigerian Igbo dialect, the name carries significant meanings. For instance, Amarachi can be interpreted as “God’s grace,” while Chinonso translates to “God is close.”
Nigerian fans, in particular, couldn’t contain their joy and eagerly expressed their enthusiasm, even going so far as to assume that she was of Nigerian descent.
However, I regret to inform you that she is indeed an American citizen, though she may have African roots, as is the case with many African Americans.
Born on November 8, 1989, in St. Louis, Missouri, this talented artist began her musical journey by self-releasing her debut project, See.SZA.Run, in October 2012.
It was a stepping stone that led to her signing with Top Dawg Entertainment in July 2013, propelling her career to new heights.
SZA’s rise to prominence reached a crescendo with her stellar performance at the Dreamville Festival, where she shared the stage with the renowned Nigerian Afrobeat sensation, Davido.
This electrifying collaboration left fans buzzing with excitement, almost blurring the lines between SZA’s identity and her connection to Nigeria.
The sheer energy and chemistry they displayed during their performance had fans speculating and nodding in agreement, as if SZA had secretly been hiding her Nigerian heritage all along.
Undoubtedly, SZA’s talent and distinctive sound captivated the hearts of fans across the globe.
Her debut studio album, Ctrl, released in June 2017 under Top Dawg Entertainment, featured remarkable collaborations with Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, and other notable artists.
The album earned critical acclaim, multiple Grammy nominations, and firmly established SZA as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
Following her previous success, SZA’s second album, SOS, arrived in December 2022 with high expectations.
It quickly shot up to the top of the Billboard 200 chart, solidifying her growth as an artist and showcasing her unique blend of neo-soul and contemporary R&B.
And that is how she rose to fame.
The Nigerian Igbo name is still evident on her bio, perhaps signifying that she may have African heritage. But for now, she is an American Citizen.
