SZA recently shared that “Consideration”, her collaboration with Rihanna, was originally intended to be a centerpiece on her debut album, Ctrl. Speaking with Variety, the TDE artist revealed how the decision to give the track to Rihanna left her feeling frustrated and doubtful about her future creativity.
A Song Close to SZA’s Heart
“I cared so much,” SZA admitted, describing how deeply connected she was to the track.
“I was so frustrated. I felt like, ‘I’ll never have anything this cool again.’ It was the centerpiece to my album at the time.”
Before the label’s decision, SZA had already prepared a video for “Consideration” and was gearing up to release it as part of her project. However, the song ultimately became the opening track on Rihanna’s critically acclaimed album, Anti, released in January 2016.
Looking Back With Gratitude
Despite the initial disappointment, SZA has since embraced the positive outcome of the collaboration.
“I’m so glad that happened, and that it didn’t cost me anything. If anything, I gained a lot from it,” she said. Reflecting on her past fears, SZA added: “I thought my creativity would stop after that. I really thought, ‘If she has it, then I’ll never be anything.’”
The Impact of “Consideration”
Produced by Scum and Kuk Harrell, the song has become a fan favorite and a defining piece of Rihanna’s “Anti” era. SZA previously compared the track’s sound to movies like Dangerous Minds and Insidious, citing its haunting and cinematic quality. In a 2016 interview with HuffPost, SZA described the experience of working with Rihanna as a “blessing.” “She connected to the song, and it just happened. She was super humble about everything, which made it a warm moment.”
While “Consideration” may have taken a different path than SZA originally envisioned, it cemented her place in music alongside one of the industry’s most celebrated artists. Today, SZA continues to evolve creatively, proving that her talents extend far beyond any single project.
