SZA’s SOS Makes Historical past: 100 Weeks in Billboard High 10
SZA has reached a historic music milestone. Her sophomore album, SOS, is now the primary album by a feminine artist to spend 100 weeks within the high 10 of the Billboard 200 chart. The accomplishment highlights extra than simply numbers—it represents longevity, consistency, and a deep emotional reference to listeners.
Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at why SOS issues, the way it bought right here, and what this implies for the way forward for music, streaming, and artist success.
Breaking Information: What Makes SZA’s Billboard Feat Particular?
When an album spends two years within the high 10, it’s not luck. It’s technique, expertise, and viewers loyalty. Launched in December 2022, SOS debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking a significant turning level in SZA’s profession. It was her first chart-topping album, and it instantly resonated with each followers and critics.
Now, in August 2025, SOS turns into the primary album by a feminine artist to spend 100 non-consecutive weeks within the Billboard 200 high 10. That places SZA within the firm of just a few legendary acts, male or feminine, to attain that degree of sustained success.
Why the Billboard 200 High 10 Nonetheless Issues
The Billboard 200 chart continues to be one of the essential indicators of an album’s total efficiency within the U.S. It measures consumption by means of conventional album gross sales, monitor equal albums (TEA), and streaming equal albums (SEA). So, when SOS ranks this excessive for this lengthy, it displays not simply streams, however replays, shares, playlist placements, and constant fan help.
A 100-week run within the high 10 is uncommon. It means listeners didn’t simply benefit from the album as soon as—they’ve saved coming again. That’s the facility of well-written, emotionally clever music.
The Songs That Constructed an Period: “Kill Invoice,” “Good Days,” and Extra
The success of SOS is tied intently to its standout tracks. The album initially launched with 22 songs, a sprawling but intimate journey that delivered emotional depth throughout genres.
Key tracks embrace:
- “Kill Invoice” – A breakout hit that gave SZA her first No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100. The tune’s darkly humorous revenge theme, paired with a catchy melody, made it a cultural second.
- “Good Days” – First teased earlier than the album’s launch, it turned a streaming favourite and helped lay the groundwork for the album’s rollout.
- “Shirt” – A moody, sultry monitor that turned a fan-favorite due to its viral teaser and haunting visible.
- “Snooze” – A love tune that showcases SZA’s vocal versatility and hit-making skill.
Every monitor performed a task in SOS‘s lengthy life. However what actually saved the album alive? A daring transfer by SZA almost two years after the unique launch.
The Lana Deluxe Version: A Refresh That Paid Off
In December 2024, SZA launched the deluxe version of SOS, titled Lana. Quite than simply including a couple of remixes or additional verses, she dropped 19 completely new songs, basically giving followers one other album throughout the identical period.
Among the many new tracks, probably the most notable was “30 For 30” that includes Kendrick Lamar. This marked a uncommon and highly effective collaboration, tying collectively two of probably the most critically revered artists in hip-hop and R&B right this moment.
In February 2025, she added 4 extra tracks to the deluxe version, timed completely along with her and Kendrick’s Tremendous Bowl halftime present efficiency.
This transfer reignited curiosity within the album and led to yet one more surge in streams, fan engagement, and new audiences discovering SOS for the primary time.
Dwell Impression: Grand Nationwide World Tour with Kendrick Lamar
One other key think about SOS‘s future? Touring.
In April 2025, SZA and Kendrick Lamar kicked off their Grand Nationwide World Tour, a large, co-headlining run that spanned main arenas throughout the U.S. and past. The tour concluded in August—simply days earlier than SOS hit its 100-week Billboard milestone.
Performing reside helped:
- Reconnect followers with the music in a real-world setting.
- Create viral moments from tour visuals and performances.
- Drive streams from setlist songs after every present.
Briefly, reside exhibits breathe new life into albums. The tour additionally benefited from Kendrick Lamar’s large success throughout this era—particularly together with his single “Luther”, which held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Scorching 100 for 13 weeks straight.
Their joint songs, visuals, and fan-driven hype saved SOS within the dialog lengthy after a typical album cycle would have ended.
The Cultural Significance of SOS
Past the numbers, SOS tapped into deeper emotional and generational themes:
- Psychological well being
- Heartbreak and therapeutic
- Self-worth and identification
- Freedom in vulnerability
SZA’s lyrics really feel private but common. Her genre-bending fashion—mixing R&B, hip-hop, pop, and different—defies conventional radio packing containers. She speaks on to individuals navigating advanced feelings in a messy, trendy world.
For a lot of followers, SOS turned greater than an album—it turned a secure area.
How SZA Redefined Album Longevity within the Streaming Period
In right this moment’s fast-paced digital panorama, album cycles are sometimes brief. Most tasks peak within the first month, then drop off. SZA flipped that norm. By constantly updating her work, staying seen with reside exhibits, and fascinating with actual moments (just like the Tremendous Bowl), she saved SOS related.
Evergreen classes for artists:
- Don’t rush content material. Let it develop together with your viewers.
- Re-releases can refresh curiosity when performed with care.
- Touring nonetheless drives engagement—don’t underestimate it.
- Collaborations lengthen attain and cross-pollinate fanbases.
Why This Second Will Be Studied for Years
SZA’s SOS will possible develop into a case examine in trendy music advertising, streaming technique, and fanbase improvement. It additionally indicators a bigger pattern: genuine, emotionally wealthy albums aren’t solely viable—they’re important.
In contrast to short-lived viral hits, SOS proved that timeless themes nonetheless matter. Whether or not somebody listened in 2022, 2023, or 2025, they might discover one thing to narrate to.
What’s Subsequent for SZA?
With SOS crossing the 100-week mark and the Grand Nationwide Tour full, followers are already asking: what’s subsequent?
Whereas SZA hasn’t confirmed her subsequent album, she has hinted that she’s nonetheless in artistic mode. Given the success of her collaborations with Kendrick and the artistic depth proven in Lana, expectations are excessive for no matter comes subsequent.
The Energy of Connection
On the coronary heart of this historic second is an easy reality: connection issues. SZA constructed a physique of labor that related—over time, throughout platforms, and between individuals.
She made an album individuals didn’t simply stream—they lived with it. And that’s the way you keep within the high 10 for 100 weeks.
