The Untold Story Of SZA's Parents: 7 Surprising Facts About Audrey & Abdul Mubarak-Rowe

The phenomenal success of SZA’s music, particularly her Grammy-winning album SOS, has brought renewed attention to the intensely private life of the R&B superstar. As of December 2025, the focus has shifted to the foundational figures who shaped Solána Imani Rowe: her parents, Audrey and Abdul Mubarak-Rowe. The story of SZA’s upbringing in a mixed-faith, high-achieving household in Maplewood, New Jersey, is far more complex and fascinating than most fans realize, providing the essential context for her deeply introspective and genre-bending artistry. The latest updates reveal a family deeply committed to community and faith, with recent milestones for both her mother and father.

The "Snooze" singer has consistently credited her parents' diverse professional backgrounds and strong moral compass for instilling the resilience and unique perspective that defines her career. From their high-profile executive roles to their dedication to civic engagement, Audrey and Abdul Mubarak-Rowe are not just supportive figures; they are accomplished individuals whose influence is woven into the very fabric of SZA's creative journey and public persona.

SZA's Parents: A Comprehensive Biographical Profile

SZA, born Solána Imani Rowe, is the daughter of two highly educated and community-involved individuals whose professional and personal lives provided a rich and diverse environment for her to grow up in. Their influence is evident in her commitment to her faith and her expansive musical taste.

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• Mother: Audrey Rowe
• Father: Abdul-Alim Mubarak-Rowe (also known as Abdul Mubarak-Rowe or Ronald Rowe)
• Hometown: Maplewood, New Jersey (where SZA spent most of her childhood)
• Mother's Profession: Former executive at AT&T and a retired executive at a medical device company; a full-time educator and community leader.
• Father's Profession: Former Executive Producer for CNN; a businessman, communications expert, journalist, and Muslim scholar. He also serves as CAIR-NJ's liaison to the New Jersey Congressional delegation.
• Family Faith: SZA was raised in a mixed-faith household, with her father being Muslim and her mother also Muslim, with Ashkenazi Jewish and Irish ancestry. The family is described as prioritizing their Muslim faith.
• Siblings: She has an older half-sister, Panya, who is a social worker.

The Mixed-Faith Household: Islam, Judaism, and R&B Roots

One of the most defining and often discussed aspects of SZA’s upbringing is the unique cultural and religious blend of her childhood home. Her parents cultivated an environment that was both religiously devout and culturally expansive, which directly contributed to the depth of her music. The family adhered to the Muslim faith, with SZA's father being a devout Muslim and a scholar in the community.

A Spectrum of Faith and Culture

SZA, whose full name Solána Imani Rowe means "light" and "faith" in Arabic, was raised with a strong foundation in Islamic principles. She has spoken openly about wearing the hijab in the past and observing periods of fasting, demonstrating her commitment to the faith she grew up with.

Adding another layer of complexity, her mother, Audrey Rowe, is also Muslim but has a diverse heritage that includes Ashkenazi Jewish and Irish ancestry. This diverse background meant SZA was exposed to a wide range of cultural influences, which she has noted led to a feeling of being a "weirdo" but ultimately gave her a unique, broad perspective on the world. This experience of navigating multiple identities is a central theme in her songwriting.

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The parents’ decision to prioritize their faith and community involvement—Audrey Rowe was a long-time executive at the Coalition on Race—meant SZA was raised with a strong sense of social justice and civic duty.

How Audrey and Abdul Shaped SZA's Genre-Bending Sound

The musical landscape of SZA's childhood home was as diverse as its religious one, laying the groundwork for her signature R&B, soul, and hip-hop fusion. Her parents were instrumental in exposing her to a broad sonic palette, far beyond the confines of mainstream radio.

Abdul Mubarak-Rowe's Jazz and Funk Influence: SZA's father, a communications expert and former CNN executive producer, was a dedicated fan of jazz and funk music. He introduced her to the works of legendary artists like Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, and John Coltrane. This exposure to complex harmonies, improvisation, and deep emotional storytelling is clearly reflected in the intricate arrangements and raw lyrical honesty of tracks on albums like Ctrl and SOS.

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Audrey Rowe's R&B and Church Music: In contrast, her mother, Audrey, favored R&B and traditional church music. This influence provided the soulful, melodic core that anchors SZA's songs, ensuring that even her most experimental tracks maintain a strong emotional resonance with the R&B tradition. The blend of these two distinct musical worlds—the intellectual complexity of jazz and the emotional sincerity of soul—is the key to SZA's genre-bending appeal.

Recent Milestones and Post-SOS Support

SZA's parents have remained highly involved and supportive, with recent news highlighting their continued presence in her life and their own professional achievements. These recent details underscore their role as a stable foundation for the Grammy-winning artist.

Audrey Rowe's Retirement and Community Recognition

In a major life event, Audrey Rowe retired from her role at the Coalition on Race after 23 years of dedicated service to the community. Her work as an educator and community leader has earned her recognition, including the Carol Buchanan Award in 2023, showcasing her deep commitment to social justice and civic engagement in Maplewood, New Jersey. This retirement marks a significant chapter, allowing her to focus more on family and personal pursuits.

Abdul-Alim Mubarak-Rowe's Continued Activism

Contrary to some earlier, unfounded rumors, SZA's father, Abdul-Alim Mubarak-Rowe, remains active as a communications expert and a community leader. He continues his work as the CAIR-NJ liaison to the New Jersey Congressional delegation, advocating for the state's diverse Muslim population. His professional life as a journalist and educator, which he has maintained for decades, continues to be a source of inspiration for SZA.

The 'SOS' Album and Parental Pride

The monumental success of SZA’s 2022 album, SOS, brought her parents into the spotlight more than ever. The album itself contains snippets of conversation with her mother, adding a deeply personal and intimate layer to the record's narrative.

Following the album’s release, SZA shared a heartwarming, fresh detail: her father was visiting her during the peak of the album's success. She noted that her father's visit was a source of comfort amidst the "scary" feeling of her newfound, massive fame. This small but significant detail, confirmed in a recent interview, illustrates the enduring, supportive, and grounded relationship SZA maintains with her parents despite her global superstar status. They remain her most important anchor.