All About SZA’s Parents, Audrey and Abdul

Meet SZA’s parents.

Born on November 8, 1989, the singer of the group “Snooze”, born Solán Imani Rowe, is the daughter of Audrey and Abdul Mubarak-Rowe.

Although born in Missouri, SZA spent most of her childhood growing up in Maplewood, New Jersey — a town she describes as “completely different from the rest of New Jersey.” She told Complex in September 2013, “It’s very small. It’s quietly rich, but more modest.”

SZA has a half-sister named Panya Rowe, who is 11 years older than her. “She’s my half-sister so we have the same dad, different moms,” she told Complex. The singer also has a brother Daniel who is a rapper and his name is Manhattan.

In the interview for April 2018 Magazine V, SZA credited her mom for teaching her how to love others. “I’m super sensitive, and my mother made me especially sensitive because she’s just so loving,” said Jadi Pinkett Smith, who interviewed her for the publication.

The singer — who tops the list of nominees at this year’s Grammys with nine nominations — previously spoke about her musical influences, noting that her father introduced her to some of her favorites at a young age.

“Growing up, I couldn’t do anything but what my dad did,” she told Complex. “So I basically listened to Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong. That was my only option. My only interaction outside of those things had to be incidental.”

Read on to learn more about SZA’s parents.

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Her parents are very involved in their community

SZA and her mom, Audrey.

Abel Fermin/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

SZA was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey. Both her parents are very involved in their community, even though they previously held different positions.

Her father is a former CNN editor and producer who now serves on the advisory board of the New Jersey Council on American-Islamic Relations, according to his LinkedIn. Her mother is a former AT&T executive and is now the program director of the South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race, according to the organization’s website.

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Her parents prioritize their religion

SZA’s dad, Abdul.

SZA/Instagram

In 2018, SZA described her family to a local news outlet as “involved, supportive, overbooked, open, spiritually aware, talkative and loyal,” he reported The New York Timeswho also noted the emphasis they place on religion.

Her parents have an interfaith relationship as SZA’s mom is Christian and her dad is Muslim. “The Koran and the Bible were probably my debuts,” said the singer, who attended Sunday school and a Muslim school, of her first literature.

For SZA, different religious practices were normal in her household. “My mom wanted her, my dad wanted him,” she said. “They made space for each other. My dad will come to my mom’s church for big events. My mom will dress up for Jum’ah… and come with dad to the mosque. Mom would put up the Christmas tree, and Dad would roll his eyes and pretend he didn’t see it.”

Audrey gave SZA a nickname when she was young

In a 2013 interview with Complex, the “Snooze” singer explained the meaning behind SZA’s name, saying it comes from the Supreme Alphabet. But before she created a nickname for herself, her mother gave her a nickname when she was little.

SZA said NYT that her mother called her “Chickabee” because they loved the 1994 movie Nell. In the film, Jodie Foster plays a “wild” child who speaks her own language – and according to Audrey, SZA was a “very energetic” girl.

They pushed SZA to find motivation

SZA’s mom, Audrey.

SZA/Instagram

Before pursuing her dreams as a musician, SZA followed a traditional path after high school. She attended Delaware State University and planned to major in marine biology. However, she realized that college was not for her.

“I drank Malibu and smoked weed every day. And slept,” SZA told NYT. She eventually dropped out of school, returned to New Jersey, and then, according to the media, “lied about her age to be allowed to bartend and sometimes dance at a number of strip clubs in Jersey and New York.”

Audrey eventually found out about SZA’s lifestyle through her older sister. “When I didn’t want to do what they wanted me to do in college, my mom kind of insinuated that I had to leave,” the “Kill Bill” singer said.

She explained: “I started staying on people’s couches and aimlessly vibrating. It threw me into a crazy depression, but it also lit a fire under my a–.”

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Audrey is proud of SZA for following her dreams

Looking back, Audrey said NYT she wishes she knew what she knows now “about listening to what your child is passionate about and supporting whatever that is” — especially since “it’s so hard to follow your own dreams.”

“Many of us leave it very young, especially if people we respect, love and trust think we could or should be doing something different. I’m really glad that she didn’t listen to me – admitted the proud mom.

Abdul cried over SZA’s music

IN viral videoSZA’s dad was seen singing his daughter’s song “Broken Clocks” in his car.

“Every time I hear this song baby it brings tears to my eyes,” the proud dad, who was wearing a CTRL The Tour hat, said in the clip. “I love this song of yours – I love your whole album, but this is one of my favorite songs.”

As the tweet circulated on social media, SZA reacted to the video and thanked her father. “I really love you dad. Thank you for loving me! Forever my favorite warrior.”

They attended big events with SZA, such as the Grammy Awards

SZA with her mom and grandma at the 2018 Grammy Awards.

Matt Baron/Shutterstock

SZA’s parents have been supportive of her music career, including praising her in interviews and appearing alongside her at high-profile events.

In January 2018, the singer’s mother and grandmother walked the red carpet with her at the 60th Grammy Awards in New York. In December 2022, both Audrey and Abdul were in the audience when she performed “Shirt” and “Blind” during the taping Saturday night live.

SZA saluted her parents during her acceptance speech at the Grammys

VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getto

SZA had her loved ones by her side as she won a big Grammy award on February 4th. As the singer took home the best R&B song, she greeted her parents on stage. “I’d like to thank my parents, mom and dad, God, Top Dawg, Punch, all of TDE and my brothers and sisters in TDE, my godfathers, my niece,” she began as her parents proudly clapped from the audience.

“I’m just… I’m sorry, I’m really devastated,” the singer said as she choked up. “You really don’t understand. I’ve come very, very far and I can’t believe this is happening and it seems very fake.”

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Source: HIS Education