ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Grammy Award-winning musician SZA is representing her hometown well these days.
Solána Imani Rowe – a Maplewood native known by her stage name of SZA – recently became one of the New Jersey Hall of Fame's newest inductees during a star-studded ceremony on Sept. 24 at the Dream Live Performing Arts Center at American Dream.
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The famed musician earned a place in the hall's Performing Arts & Entertainment category. Organizers praised the Columbia High School alum for "consistently shattering records" and amassing a massive 70 billion streams across all platforms.
According to the hall of fame, SZA's career accolades include Grammy Awards for Record of the Year ("luther" with Kendrick Lamar), Best R&B Song ("Snooze" and "Saturn"), and Best Progressive R&B Album (SOS). She has also received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for "All The Stars."
With her 2023–2024 "SOS Tour," SZA became the fourth Black female artist to achieve one of the highest-grossing solo concert tours in history, joining Beyoncé, Rihanna and Tina Turner.
Her influence extends beyond music into film and business. In 2025, she starred in the No. 1 comedy One of Them Days, launched her cruelty-free, gluten-free and vegan makeup line, NOT Beauty, and was appointed Vans' Artistic Director to co-create exclusive product collections.
SZA has consistently credited her upbringing in Essex County as a big influence in her life and career.
"I just love community, and I promise to take that energy of community around the world wherever I go," she said during her acceptance speech.
"When it's time to start a charity or just help other people, I think about how I come from a small town where everybody knows each other's first and last name," she added. "We've all participated in each other's lives and in raising each other, and I'm honored. So thank you so much."
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