SZA's sophomore album, SOS, achieved unexpected monumental success in 2022, challenging established chart dominance and surprising even her own label. The R&B/pop sensation recalled in a March 2024 i-D interview that her label had cautioned her against expecting to surpass Taylor Swift on the Billboard 200, given Swift's consistent chart performance. Despite these initial reservations, SOS not only debuted at No. 1 in December 2022, pushing Swift's Midnights to No. 2, but also maintained the top spot for an impressive 10 consecutive weeks. The album later made a triumphant return to No. 1 in 2024 for an additional three weeks, further solidifying its cultural and commercial impact.

Reflecting on this pivotal career moment, SZA expressed her astonishment, stating, "I never even imagined I could be on the radio." Her breakthrough with SOS catapulted her to new heights of stardom, fundamentally altering perceptions of her chart potential. Throughout this period of intense success, SZA consistently demonstrated her respect for Taylor Swift. She publicly clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that she harbored no animosity, emphasizing her genuine admiration for Swift's album and songwriting. This sentiment was reiterated in a 2025 interview with Jennifer Hudson, where SZA shared her desire to collaborate with Swift, praising her storytelling abilities.

SZA has firmly established herself as a formidable force in the music industry. Her collaborative single "Luther" with Kendrick Lamar, released in December 2024, soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for 13 weeks. This achievement underscores her sustained success and evolving artistic trajectory. Embracing her current chapter, SZA conveyed a sense of empowerment to i-D, articulating, "I feel like anything is possible. I feel like I'm adulting kind of hard right now, and I might be eating. I feel like I might be alright when it's all said and done."