SZA recently opened up about why some fan-favorite tracks were excluded from her hit album SOS. In a viral interview clip, the Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) artist shared that songs like “PSA,” “Joni,” and “Boy from South Detroit” didn’t make the cut due to decisions made by her team, including TDE president Terrence “Punch” Henderson and her producer/engineer. Despite fans’ enthusiasm, her team wasn’t convinced of their place in the album.
“Boy from South Detroit was a song Twitter really wanted, but neither Rob nor Punch cared about it,” SZA explained. “They weren’t excited, but I believed in it!”
What Fans Can Expect from the Deluxe Edition
While these tracks were excluded from the original release, there’s good news for fans. SZA confirmed that “Boy from South Detroit” will feature in the deluxe edition of SOS. However, she didn’t disclose a release date.
SZA also highlighted the internal debate over other songs. For instance, “Joni” was dismissed by Punch as “too old,” and “PSA” was deemed too similar to “Blind”, potentially creating monotony on the album.
Past Frustrations with Punch
This isn’t the first time SZA has voiced frustrations with her label. Back in July, she revealed she wanted to release her sophomore album earlier, but Punch allegedly delayed the process. Punch later addressed these claims, suggesting SZA’s tweets were misunderstood. “You have to know the person and the context,” he said, clarifying his perspective in an interview.
SOS’s Remarkable Success
Despite the internal disagreements, SOS became a massive success, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 318,000 units in its first week. It also set a record for the biggest streaming week for an R&B album and placed 20 of its 23 tracks on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Kill Bill” (No. 3) and “Nobody Gets Me” (No. 10).
SZA’s Gratitude
Reacting to the overwhelming support, SZA shared her gratitude on Instagram, stating, “A number one album and two songs in the top ten is NOT what I expected.” She teased fans with the upcoming deluxe edition, promising another round of exciting content before taking a break. SOS continues to solidify SZA’s status as a powerhouse in the R&B industry, and the deluxe edition promises even more to celebrate.
