5 Shocking Facts About Drake And SZA's Secret 2009 Fling: The Full Relationship Timeline Revealed

The question of "Did Drake date SZA?" has been a persistent piece of music industry lore, but as of December 18, 2025, the answer is a resounding "Yes"—though the details are far less dramatic than many fans initially believed. The long-rumored romance between the Canadian rap titan and the R&B superstar was a brief, secret fling that took place over a decade ago, only coming to light through an unexpected lyric drop in 2020.

The relationship, which SZA herself confirmed and clarified, was a short-lived romance that occurred when both artists were just starting their careers, and the latest updates confirm that despite the public revelation, the two remain "cool" and professional, even collaborating musically years later. The initial confusion over the timeline, which sparked speculation about SZA being underage, required the "Kill Bill" singer to step in and set the record straight, establishing the true date of their connection.

The Complete Biography and Profile: Aubrey Drake Graham & Solána Imani Rowe

The artists at the center of this story are two of the biggest names in modern music, each with a profound impact on their respective genres. Understanding their profiles helps contextualize the nature and timing of their brief relationship.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

Aubrey "Drake" Graham

• Full Name: Aubrey Drake Graham
• Born: October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• Career Start: Gained initial fame as an actor playing Jimmy Brooks on the acclaimed TV drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation.
• Music Career: Credited with popularizing R&B sensibilities in hip-hop music. His discography includes chart-topping albums like Take Care, Views, and Scorpion.
• Accolades: Multiple Grammy Award winner and one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
• Record Label: Co-founder of OVO Sound.

Solána "SZA" Imani Rowe

• Full Name: Solána Imani Rowe
• Born: November 8, 1989, in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
• Career Start: Began releasing music in the early 2010s and signed with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).
• Music Career: Known for her genre-bending style that blends R&B, soul, and hip-hop, characterized by her diaristic and deeply honest lyrics. Her breakthrough came with the 2017 album Ctrl, and she achieved global superstardom with the 2022 album SOS, featuring hits like "Kill Bill," "Good Days," and "Snooze."
• Accolades: Grammy Award winner, critically acclaimed for her songwriting and vocal delivery.

The Infamous Lyric That Revealed the Secret Fling

For over a decade, the alleged relationship between Drake and SZA remained entirely private, existing only as industry whispers. That changed dramatically in October 2020 with the release of the song "Mr. Right Now" by Metro Boomin and 21 Savage, which featured a verse from Drake.

The line that sent the music world into a frenzy was: "Yeah, said she wanna f*ck to some SZA, wait / ‘Cause I used to date SZA back in ’08."

This single, casual lyric instantly confirmed the long-standing rumors and became a major talking point across all social media platforms. The revelation was typical of Drake, who has a history of using his music to drop "mini-gossip bombs" about his past relationships.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

However, the year mentioned—2008—immediately raised eyebrows and led to a wave of speculation.

SZA’s Crucial Clarification: Setting the Timeline Straight

The mention of 2008 in Drake's lyric quickly caused a stir, as it suggested a potentially inappropriate age gap. At the time of the song's release, Drake was 33, and SZA was 30. More importantly, in 2008, Drake would have been 21, while SZA, born in November 1989, would have been 18 for only a short period of that year, turning 19 later.

To quell the "underage or creepy" speculation, SZA took to social media to address the timeline directly. She confirmed that the relationship did happen but clarified the year, stating, "So, it was actually 2009 lol. I just didn’t want anybody thinking anything underage or creepy was happening. Totally innocent. Anybody who really knows me and was around during this time can confirm.. it's all love and peace."

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

This clarification was vital, shifting the timeline to 2009, when SZA was definitively 19 years old, making the relationship between the two adults "totally innocent." SZA's response demonstrated her maturity in handling the sudden public exposure of a very old, private chapter of her life.

The Current Status of Their Relationship and Collaborations

Despite the initial shockwave caused by Drake’s 2020 lyric, both artists have repeatedly stressed that their relationship is friendly and professional. SZA has stated that their connection "has never been weird" and that they "have always been cool." She also mentioned that Drake gave her a heads-up before the song was released, indicating a level of mutual respect.

This positive dynamic was confirmed when the two collaborated on the track "Slime You Out" in 2023. The song, which was part of Drake's album For All The Dogs, saw SZA lend her vocals, proving that their brief 2009 fling had not created any lasting animosity or awkwardness. The collaboration itself became a major talking point, further cementing their status as amicable exes and professional partners.

The resurfacing of their dating history often occurs when either artist is in the news, such as SZA's critically acclaimed album SOS or her high-profile appearances, like the Super Bowl Halftime Show alongside Kendrick Lamar.

The Impact on Topical Authority: Drake and SZA’s Dating History

The revelation of the Drake and SZA fling adds a significant entity to the complex web of both artists' dating histories, which is a key area of fan curiosity and topical authority. Drake is famously known for his high-profile rumored relationships with figures like Rihanna, Serena Williams, and Jennifer Lopez. The inclusion of SZA, a fellow R&B powerhouse, further establishes a pattern in his romantic life.

For SZA, the relationship with Drake is one of the few confirmed public romances in her history. She has been intensely private about her personal life, only revealing that she was engaged for five years to a former fiancé after her brief fling with Drake.

The 2009 connection is a fascinating footnote in the careers of two megastars: a secret relationship from their pre-fame days that was unexpectedly unearthed by a single rap lyric over a decade later. It serves as a powerful reminder that even the most private moments of a celebrity's past can become a major news story, confirming that yes, Drake and SZA did date, and they've kept it all love and peace ever since.

The ongoing discussion around the timeline, the "Mr. Right Now" lyric, and their current collaborations on tracks like "Slime You Out" ensures that this brief chapter from 2009 remains a key entity in the broader narrative of modern Hip-Hop and R&B history.