5 Shocking Facts About Drake And SZA's Secret Dating Timeline

The question of whether Drake and SZA dated is one of modern music's most persistent and intriguing rumors, and the answer is a resounding yes. However, the story is far more complex than a simple fling, involving a controversial timeline revealed in a song lyric, a public clarification to avoid a "creepy" narrative, and a professional partnership that has since produced massive hits. As of December 10, 2025, the two artists maintain a friendly relationship, proving that not all celebrity romances end in drama, even if they started with a lyrical bombshell. The full, confirmed details of their brief but impactful romance have only come to light in recent years, solidifying their connection in pop culture history.

The entire saga was thrust into the spotlight not by an interview or a paparazzi photo, but by a single, casual line in a 2020 rap song. This revelation sparked a social media frenzy and forced SZA to step forward and set the record straight on the exact year their relationship took place, a detail that was crucial to her public image and the narrative surrounding their past.

Complete Biography Profiles: Drake and SZA

To fully appreciate the context of their brief romance, it is essential to look at the foundational biographies of both global superstars.

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• Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham)
  • Born: October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Career: Grammy Award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. Credited with popularizing R&B sensibilities in hip-hop.
  • Early Career: First gained fame as an actor, Jimmy Brooks, on the acclaimed TV teenage drama series *Degrassi: The Next Generation*.
  • Notable Albums: *Take Care*, *Views*, *Scorpion*.
• SZA (Solána Imani Rowe)
  • Born: November 8, 1989, in St. Louis, Missouri, US.
  • Career: American singer-songwriter whose musical style blends R&B, hip-hop, soul, and lo-fi beats.
  • Record Label: Signed to Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).
  • Breakthrough: Gained massive critical and commercial success with her debut album *Ctrl* and her subsequent Grammy-winning album *SOS*.

The "Mr. Right Now" Lyric That Launched a Thousand Headlines

The long-dormant rumor of a Drake and SZA romance was definitively confirmed by Drake himself on the 2020 track "Mr. Right Now," a collaboration with 21 Savage and Metro Boomin from the album *Savage Mode 2*.

Drake’s Controversial Line

In his guest verse, Drake dropped the bombshell lyric: "Yeah, said she wanna f*** to some SZA, wait, 'cause I used to date SZA back in '08." This single line immediately sent shockwaves across the internet and the music industry, as the relationship had been kept entirely private until that moment.

SZA’s Crucial Clarification

While Drake's lyric confirmed the relationship, the year he cited—2008—sparked concern among fans. SZA was quick to address the timeline on social media, clarifying that the brief romance actually took place in 2009.

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• Drake's Claim: "back in '08"
• SZA's Correction: "It was 2009 lol"

SZA explained that she made the correction because she "just didn't want anybody thinking anything underage or creepy was happening." Since SZA was born in November 1989, she would have been 18 for most of 2008, but she was 19 in 2009, which is the age she confirmed for the relationship. This minor detail was a major factor in controlling the narrative and ensuring the public understood the fling happened when both were adults.

The True Nature of Their Past and Present Relationship

The relationship between Drake and SZA was a brief, short-lived romance that occurred in New York City when both were at the beginning of their careers. At the time, SZA was not yet the global superstar she is today, and Drake was still establishing himself in the music world, having recently transitioned from acting.

The "Childish" Fling

SZA described the relationship as a "childish" fling, emphasizing its brevity and casual nature. The romance was so low-profile that it remained completely unknown to the public for over a decade until Drake’s 2020 song lyric. The fact that SZA was happy to confirm the relationship and correct the timeline speaks volumes about their current dynamic.

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Collaborations and Current Status

Despite the initial media frenzy over the dating confirmation, SZA has repeatedly confirmed that she and Drake are "cool" and "friendly" to this day, stating, "It's never been weird." Their professional relationship has even flourished in recent years, leading to two major, chart-topping collaborations that showcase their undeniable chemistry in the studio:

• "Slime You Out" (2023): A single from Drake's album *For All the Dogs* that immediately became a smash hit, proving their ability to work together seamlessly.
• "Rich Baby Daddy" (2023): Another collaboration from the same album, further cementing their status as a successful musical duo.

These collaborations are the strongest evidence that any past romantic entanglement has not created any lasting tension or awkwardness. They are two of the biggest artists in R&B and hip-hop, and their mutual respect for each other's craft clearly outweighs any old history, allowing them to produce some of the freshest and most unique music of the decade.

The Impact of the Revelation on Pop Culture

The revelation that Drake and SZA dated, even briefly, has had a significant impact on pop culture and the way fans view both artists. It connected two seemingly disparate musical worlds—the mainstream dominance of Drake and the alternative, deeply personal R&B of SZA—in a surprising way.

Topical Authority and LSI Entities

The ongoing interest in their relationship is a testament to the power of celebrity pairings and the enduring fascination with Drake's dating history, which includes other high-profile figures like Rihanna and Serena Williams. The connection between SZA and Drake has become a key entity in the broader narrative of modern R&B and hip-hop, linking their respective success stories and providing context for their recent collaborations. The fact that the rumor was confirmed via a lyric in a collaboration with 21 Savage and Metro Boomin on the *Savage Mode 2* album further intertwines their careers within the larger musical landscape.

A Lesson in Celebrity Privacy

Ultimately, the story of Drake and SZA dating is a powerful example of how private celebrity life can remain hidden for years. Their brief, pre-fame romance was a secret kept for over a decade, only to be made public by a casual name-drop. SZA's mature and straightforward response to the revelation—focusing on clarifying the timeline to protect her image and confirming their ongoing friendship—allowed the story to be one of amicable history rather than scandalous drama. They continue to be a force in the industry, both individually with albums like *SOS* and professionally through their successful joint tracks.