I used to be offended when people would compare me to Erykah Badu. Because I'm black, thick, and have large lips? There's nothing similar about us whatsoever, and I felt very disrespected by the fact that people needed to pigeonhole me. I wasn't even raised on Erykah Badu!

SZA

I don't have any control over what actually happens except for that I have full control over my will for myself, my intention, and why I'm there. That's all that matters.

SZA

Control is not real, and I'm really understanding that every day. It's about the acceptance of relinquishing control that makes it powerful for you.

SZA

I'm a Scorpio with a Pisces moon. I am very critical of myself. I'm actually way less critical of others than I am of myself. I'm in my own head a lot. It's hard and really discouraging.

SZA

As long as you're being honest and there's intention in what you're doing, then I think that energy permeates your field and becomes like a homing signal for other people with like energies.

SZA

Wearing a hijab never made me feel any more conservative - it made me feel safe. Then, after 9/11, I became the butt of a joke on the playground, so I stopped wearing it. Kids can be really cruel when you're the only black girl in your Girl Scout troop.

SZA

I love food, so having a lot of food allergies now and just having a really sensitive body, it forces me to be very mindful and conscious and eat when I'm hungry, not just when I'm bored, and just really slow down. Everything in moderation.

SZA

I want to excel at something, to follow through, to not be afraid.

SZA

It starts with trusting yourself, even if people are telling you you're too young to trust yourself.

SZA

I've always loved playing with hair. I used to want dreads like Lauryn Hill, but my mom wouldn't let me.

SZA

I don't want to speak negativity into existence.

SZA

I was born in St. Louis, but I'm from Maplewood, New Jersey. Maplewood is completely different than the rest of New Jersey. It's very small. It's quietly affluent but more low-key. Lauryn Hill is from my town, though.

SZA

I wasn't popular in high school; I had no friends.

SZA

Especially when I'm nervous, my mind is running a mile a minute. My ADHD speaks for me before I can speak for me.

SZA

Every day I grapple between 'I'm going to get married' and 'I'm going to spend the rest of my life alone with a poodle.'

SZA

My mom didn't let me eat sugar or candy until I was older.

SZA

I don't feel ashamed to be loud, which is an argument I've had with lots of men, who thought I was too sassy and unladylike.

SZA

I feel like when you say 'activist,' you have to have so much clarity, and I don't always necessarily have so much clarity on how I want to help others, I just have this weird, deep urge to help other people. I'm trying to let God guide my body and use it as whatever kind of vehicle or vessel it needs to be.

SZA

I learned everything the hard way - like, literally, everything. I know that God does that to people that he has lessons for. I just wish that I had learned less extreme lessons.

SZA

I love the comparison with Aaliyah and Timbaland, because Aaliyah is a legend, and there is a large cinematic feel to Timbaland's sound, but what I do is different.

SZA

I definitely get inspiration from the 'gram. I mean, Instagram is Google, essentially. I love looking at pictures of beautiful women.

SZA