SZA is currently dominating everyone's year-end lists with her full-length, SOS, and its mega-hit "Kill Bill," which helped her rack up the most Grammy nominations of any artist.
Variety has recognized the R&B star as its "Hitmaker of the Year," and in the cover story she discusses having so many Grammy noms as well as a forthcoming deluxe version of SOS.
In addition to the feature, the mag also published a sidebar where SZA talks about what she's been listening to of late. On her playlists are not-so-surprising picks like Ella Fitzgerald, Chaka Khan, Thundercat, even Good Charlotte (check out "F2F").
But then she surprises the interviewer when she says, "The other day you know what I pulled up? Creed, Nickelback, Train 'Drops of Jupiter,' just a whole bunch of that..."
Seeing the confused look on the interviewer's face, SZA replies, "Wait, you know what’s crazy? Do white people hate Creed and Nickelback? Why? Black people love them! They rock! That s**t is bomb! Why do you all hate it so much? That voice…"
And so there it is: SZA loves Creed and Nickelback, two widely divisive, post-grunge rock bands.
"Okay, I don’t know if that’s where I was headed in the realm of 'Yay, I was listening to Creed and Nickelback the other day in childhood nostalgia!'" she continues, laughing. "But I like Creed so much — 'Higher'? Why are you hating on it? Have you ever felt more inspired and uplifted in your life? I’m in the car and I’m blasting 'Higher,' I feel like it’s a gospel song, the vocals are going crazy and it’s also somehow slightly romantic, it just feels so fun. Because even if it’s cliche, he’s so f**king dead ass! I will be a Creed fan forever. Like, it started just on a whim in the shower, 'Oh, let’s play this,' and then it became a week of Creed and Nickelback."
Seeing as Creed have reunited and have announced a North American tour for 2024, she may just get a chance to see they play "Higher" live, or - can you imagine? - even sing it with them live. Make it happen Scott Stapp!