SZA has officially added a New Jersey honor to her growing résumé, joining the New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2026 during a ceremony held Sept. 24 in East Rutherford.
The R&B star, born Solána Imani Rowe, was inducted in the Performing Arts & Entertainment category at the 18th annual ceremony, held at the Dream Live Performing Arts Center at American Dream. Actor Danny DeVito hosted the celebration.
While SZA was born in St. Louis, Missouri, New Jersey has been a major part of her story. She grew up in Maplewood and attended Columbia High School, making the Hall of Fame recognition a nod to the state where she spent much of her formative years.
SZA joins a 2026 class spanning entertainment, sports, public service, business and education. The Performing Arts & Entertainment category also includes David Brigati, Edward Brigati Jr. and the late Dino Danelli.
Other notable inductees include former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence “LT” Taylor and radio personality Big Joe Henry.
The honor adds another milestone to a career that has already produced seven Grammy Awards and more than 70 billion streams, according to the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
SZA first broke through with her 2017 debut album, Ctrl, which established her as a major voice in contemporary R&B. She followed it with SOS in 2022, expanding her reach with songs including “Snooze” and “Saturn.”
Her Grammy résumé includes Record of the Year for Kendrick Lamar’s “luther,” Best R&B Song for “Snooze” and “Saturn,” as well as Best Progressive R&B Album for SOS.
SZA and Lamar have also shared major moments beyond the Grammys. Their “All the Stars” collaboration from the Black Panther soundtrack earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations, while their 2025 Grand National Tour became another major chapter in their partnership.
SZA’s touring history has also grown alongside her music career, with the SOS Tour becoming one of the highest-grossing solo tours by a Black female artist, according to the supplied material.
Now, the artist’s New Jersey connection has an official place in the state’s cultural history. From Maplewood to international stages, SZA’s latest honor brings the story back to where much of it began.
