5 Shocking Facts About SZA And Drake's Secret Romance And The Timeline That Sparked A Feud

The enduring mystery of whether two of music's biggest stars, SZA and Drake, ever dated is a question that continues to captivate fans and dominate music news feeds, even as of December 18, 2025. For years, the relationship between the R&B sensation and the Canadian rap titan remained a subject of intense speculation, fueled by subtle hints and cryptic social media interactions. However, the private history was abruptly thrust into the public eye, not by a tell-all interview, but by a single, controversial lyric in a 2020 song that forced SZA to finally address the rumors and correct the record on their brief, "childish" connection. This revelation, though years old, frequently resurfaces, reminding the world of the secret chapter in their intertwined careers.

The definitive answer, confirmed by SZA herself, is that yes, they did briefly date, but the timeline presented by Drake was slightly—and controversially—off. This small discrepancy in the year of their alleged romance sparked a minor social media frenzy, forcing both artists to clarify the nature and chronology of their youthful connection. What was intended as a casual name-drop became a major talking point, highlighting the intense scrutiny placed on Drake's dating history and SZA's private life, ultimately revealing a short-lived fling that predates both of their global superstardom.

SZA: Full Biography and Profile

Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA (pronounced SIZ-uh), is an American singer-songwriter whose music blends elements of R&B, soul, hip-hop, and alternative rock, defining the sound of a generation.

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• Full Name: Solána Imani Rowe
• Stage Name: SZA (Self-Sovereignty, Zig-Zag, Allah—a nod to the supreme alphabet in the Nation of Gods and Earths)
• Date of Birth: November 8, 1990
• Place of Birth: St. Louis, Missouri
• Upbringing: Maplewood, New Jersey
• Genre: R&B, Neo-Soul, Alternative R&B, Hip-Hop
• Debut EP: See.SZA.Run (2012)
• Breakthrough Album: Ctrl (2017), which became a critical and commercial success and was nominated for four Grammy Awards.
• Second Studio Album: SOS (2022), which broke multiple streaming records and spawned global hits like "Kill Bill" and "Snooze."
• Key Career Highlights: Multiple Grammy Awards (including Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Kiss Me More" with Doja Cat and Best Progressive R&B Album for SOS), Billboard Music Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards.
• Musical Style: Known for her deeply honest, vulnerable lyrics, and a genre-bending soundscape that is often described as moody and ethereal.

The Infamous Lyric: How Drake Revealed The Secret Romance

The world learned about SZA and Drake's past relationship in October 2020, not through a direct statement, but via a featured verse on a song. The song in question was "Mr. Right Now" by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin. Drake's verse contained a casual but explosive name-drop that immediately sent shockwaves across social media and the music industry.

The "Mr. Right Now" Line

The lyric that ignited the controversy was: "Yeah, said she wanna f**k to some SZA, wait / 'Cause I used to date SZA back in '08." This single line was the first public acknowledgment from either artist that they had a romantic history. Prior to this, their connection was limited to professional admiration and a few rumors, but nothing concrete had ever been confirmed. The casual nature of the reveal, tucked into a boastful rap verse, is what truly amplified the reaction from fans.

The Immediate Reaction and The Timeline Correction

The public reaction was swift and overwhelming, forcing SZA to address the claim almost immediately. Two days after the song's release, SZA took to Twitter to confirm the relationship but offered a crucial correction to Drake’s timeline. She tweeted: "I just didn’t want anybody thinking anything underage or creepy was happening. Completely innocent. He was 22, I was 19." She clarified that they did date, but the actual year was 2009, not 2008 as Drake had claimed. The difference in years was significant because in 2008, SZA would have been 17 or 18, which raised immediate concerns about the age difference and the legality of the relationship at that time. By correcting the date to 2009, when she was 19, SZA effectively neutralized any negative speculation regarding the ethics of the brief fling.

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SZA's Perspective: "Youth Vibes" and Remaining "Cool"

Despite the initial stir caused by the "Mr. Right Now" lyric, SZA has consistently downplayed the seriousness and longevity of her time with Drake. Her comments in the years following the 2020 revelation have painted a picture of a brief, inconsequential youthful romance, rather than a significant chapter in her life. This perspective is vital for understanding the current status of their relationship and the true nature of their past.

Downplaying the Seriousness

In a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, SZA offered her most candid reflection on the relationship. She described it as "youth vibes" and "childish stuff," emphasizing that it "wasn't hot and heavy." This statement suggests that the relationship, while real, was a fleeting moment in time that held little weight compared to the public storm it later created. She has also mentioned that she believes Drake changed the year in the song simply for the sake of the rhyme, suggesting the error was artistic license rather than a malicious attempt to misrepresent the facts.

Current Status: "We're Cool"

Importantly, SZA has repeatedly confirmed that there is no bad blood between her and Drake. She has stated that they remain "cool" and there is mutual respect. The fact that they have maintained a cordial, professional relationship speaks volumes. In a complex industry where past relationships can often lead to lasting feuds, their ability to move past the brief romance—and the public controversy surrounding its revelation—demonstrates a level of maturity. This is further evidenced by their continued presence in the same music circles and the occasional professional acknowledgment of each other's work.

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The Cultural Impact and Enduring Fascination

The story of SZA and Drake's brief romance has become a cultural touchstone, often resurfacing in news cycles, such as during SZA's major award show appearances or when she is seen with other artists. The persistent public fascination with this particular celebrity pairing stems from several key factors.

The Power of the Secret History

For years, both artists were on the cusp of their major breakthroughs around 2009. Drake was gaining traction with his mixtape So Far Gone, and SZA was years away from her debut EP. The idea that two future music titans had a secret, formative relationship before they became global superstars adds a compelling layer of "what-if" to their respective trajectories. This hidden history makes the revelation feel like a peek behind the curtain of their early lives, a detail that fans crave.

The "Drake Effect" on Dating History

Drake has a long, well-documented history of name-dropping or referencing past romantic interests in his music, which often brings intense public scrutiny to the women he mentions. The SZA situation is a prime example of the "Drake Effect," where a casual lyric can resurrect an old flame and force a public response. This pattern keeps fans perpetually interested in his dating life, turning every new song into a potential source of celebrity gossip and relationship analysis. The SZA controversy, however, was unique in that she immediately and firmly corrected his narrative, taking control of her own story.

In conclusion, the answer to "did SZA date Drake" is an unequivocal yes, but the story is far more nuanced than a simple lyric suggests. It was a short, youthful fling in 2009 that was only revealed a decade later, creating a media firestorm that SZA quickly and calmly diffused. The two artists have moved on, remaining professional and respectful, but the tale of their brief, secret past continues to be a compelling footnote in the annals of modern R&B and hip-hop history.