SZA Receives Award at Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction: ‘Beyond My Wildest Dreams’

At the Songwriters Hall of Fame 2024 Induction and Awards Gala, SZA was honoured with the prestigious Hal David Starlight Award, recognizing her significant impact on the music industry through her original songwriting. This award, which is a testament to her contributions and talent, left the singer feeling overjoyed and validated in her career.

In her heartfelt acceptance speech, SZA expressed her disbelief and gratitude, saying that the recognition was “beyond all of my wildest dreams” and that it “basically validates” every part of her career, particularly her songwriting. She emphasised her appreciation, stating, “I’m just so grateful. Thank you for seeing me.”

Also Read: SZA is Now The Second Black Woman to Receive Award From Songwriters Hall Of Fame

SZA also touched on the challenges she faced as a woman and a Black woman in the industry. She reflected on moments where her songwriting efforts were often overlooked or underestimated, making this award especially meaningful. “I swear, I’ll be like, ‘Oh, I wrote this and I wrote that,'” she said. “And [people would] be like, ‘OK,’ especially if you’re a woman, especially if you’re a Black woman. So to win this… It just means the world.”

Following her speech, SZA captivated the audience with an acoustic rendition of her song ‘Snooze.’ The award was presented to her by the renowned songwriter Nile Rodgers, adding to the significance of the evening.

The gala, held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City, also saw the induction of several notable artists into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Among them were Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, producer and rapper Timbaland, and R.E.M.’s Mike Mills and Michael Stipe. The event featured performances and presentations by a star-studded lineup, including Missy Elliott, Jason Isbell, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.

SZA’s achievements continue to be celebrated, as she is set to be a prominent figure at the upcoming 2024 BET Awards, where she has received five nominations, including one for her feature on ‘Rich Baby Daddy’ with Drake, a previous Hal David Starlight Award recipient. 

Fresh off her highly successful SOS Tour, which grossed $95.5 million and sold 674,000 tickets, SZA has been performing at various festivals throughout the summer. She recently headlined the 2024 Governors Ball and is scheduled to perform at Summerfest in Milwaukee, followed by the British Summer Time Hyde Park concert series in London.

-Sushmita Sarkar