SZA Shares How Songwriters Hall Of Fame Award Validates Her Entire Career
In a night filled with star-studded performances and heartfelt speeches, SZA stood out as she received the Hal David Starlight Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards gala. The event, held at the New York Marriott Marquis, saw the celebrated artist express how this honor validates her entire career.
SZA, who has been riding high on the success of her album “SOS,” performed an acoustic rendition of her hit song “Snooze” alongside frequent collaborator Carter Lang. The performance was a testament to her songwriting prowess, which has earned her a place among the industry’s most respected young songwriters.
During her acceptance speech, SZA shared the personal significance of the award. “As an artist, I’ve been a lot of different people. I’ve been 200 pounds; I’ve been 130 pounds. I’ve been someone who doesn’t dance at all on stage to someone who is dancing and trying their best,” she said. “Writing was where I felt like a person, and I had value and showed that I was smart. It was beyond ‘Am I pretty? Am I liked?’ and that meant everything to me. It made me feel like a person that was doing something worth something. Basically, receiving this award validates my entire career.”
The Hal David Starlight Award is given to young songwriters who have made a significant impact on the music industry. Previous recipients include John Legend, Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, Drake, Benny Blanco, Lil Nas X, and Post Malone. SZA’s inclusion in this prestigious list underscores her influence and talent as a songwriter.
Nile Rodgers, the chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, introduced SZA and praised her contributions to music. “This is such an exciting time for songwriters and music. Phenomenal artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are pushing the envelope of what success looks like, but who could argue that the last two years belong to SZA,” Rodgers said. “Incredible songwriting, incredible performances, incredible artistry. She so deserves to be the 2024 recipient of the Hal David Starlight Award!”
SZA’s album “SOS,” released in December 2022, has been a massive success, earning three-time platinum status. The 23-track album features collaborations with artists like Don Toliver and Travis Scott and includes hits such as “Snooze” and “Kill Bill.” SZA has often spoken about the importance of being respected for her songwriting abilities. In a December 2023 interview with Apple Music, she said, “I never did it for the bar, I did it for respect. The accolades are cool, but I was really just doing it for respect to show that I’m smart… letting people know I’m an intelligent person… or that I can write my own lyrics, or that I can make a certain style of song because that’s the goal I wanted to achieve to show I can work my brain that way.”
The Songwriters Hall of Fame gala also honored other notable figures in the music industry. Timbaland was inducted as part of the 2024 class, with Missy Elliott, his longtime collaborator, presenting the award. Timbaland expressed his gratitude, saying, “I owe my career to Missy Elliott. She uplifted me and gave me courage when I didn’t have courage.”
The event also saw performances and tributes to other inductees, including R.E.M., Steely Dan, Hillary Lindsey, and Dean Pitchford. Jason Isbell honored R.E.M. with a performance of “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine),” while Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Bill Berry, and Mike Mills reunited to perform “Losing My Religion.”
Dean Pitchford, known for his work on “Footloose,” was honored with performances by Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael, as well as Deniece Williams. Missy Elliott paid tribute to Timbaland, and Trey Anastasio honored Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen and the late Walter Becker.
The night concluded with a special tribute to Diane Warren, a 15-time Oscar nominee and previous inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Andra Day performed in her honor, and El DeBarge surprised the audience with a rendition of “Rhythm of the Night,” a song written by Warren.
For SZA, the Hal David Starlight Award is more than just an accolade; it is a validation of her journey and her talent as a songwriter. “I’m just beyond all of my wildest dreams,” she said. “Thank you for seeing me. To win this … it just means the world.”
The recognition from the Songwriters Hall of Fame is a testament to SZA’s impact on the music industry and her ability to connect with audiences through her heartfelt and intelligent songwriting. As she continues to evolve as an artist, this award serves as a milestone in her already impressive career.
