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The Definitive Timeline: Did Drake And SZA Really Date? Unpacking The 2008 'Childish Fling' And 2023 Collaboration

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The question of whether Drake and SZA dated has been one of the music industry's most persistent and intriguing rumors for years, finally receiving a definitive answer and a surprising modern-day twist. As of late 2023 and into 2024, the history between the two R&B and Hip-Hop titans is not only confirmed but has become a significant footnote in their respective career narratives, particularly after a key collaboration and a series of candid interviews. This article breaks down the complete, confirmed timeline of their "youth vibes" romance and how it directly led to one of the biggest songs of 2023. The relationship was a brief, casual fling that occurred over a decade ago, but it was a single lyric from Drake in 2020 that thrust their private history into the public spotlight. The most recent and reliable confirmation of the relationship's nature and timeline came directly from SZA herself in late 2023, providing a fresh perspective on the "childish" romance that predated both of their massive, global fame.

The Full Biography and Profile of Drake and SZA

To fully understand the context of their brief romance, it is essential to look at the profile of these two genre-defining artists.

Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham)

  • Born: October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Occupation: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actor, and Businessman.
  • Early Career: Gained initial fame as an actor playing Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation from 2001 to 2008.
  • Music Career Highlights: Credited with popularizing R&B sensibilities in hip-hop. Known for hit albums like Take Care, Views, and Scorpion. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
  • Record Label: Co-founder of OVO Sound.

SZA (Solána Imani Rowe)

  • Born: November 8, 1989, in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
  • Occupation: Singer-Songwriter.
  • Musical Style: Known for her genre-blending sound, which incorporates elements of R&B, soul, hip-hop, and lo-fi. Her music is often praised for its diaristic, honest lyrics.
  • Career Highlights: Rose to prominence with her debut album Ctrl (2017). Achieved global superstardom with her second album, SOS (2022), featuring the massive hit "Kill Bill" and "Good Days."
  • Record Label: Signed to Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).

The Timeline: From Casual Fling to a Controversial Lyric

The relationship between Drake and SZA was not a public affair. It was a private connection that took place long before either artist was a household name.

2008/2009: The Casual, ‘Childish’ Fling

The romance reportedly took place in the late 2000s, specifically around 2008 or 2009. At the time, Drake was still transitioning from his acting career on Degrassi to his music career, having just released his breakout mixtape So Far Gone in 2009. SZA, whose real name is Solána Imani Rowe, was still a teenager and had not yet begun her professional music career.

The relationship, according to SZA, was a casual, short-lived affair that occurred when they were both in New York City. It was considered by the singer to be "youth vibes" and "completely innocent," not a "hot and heavy" romance.

2020: Drake’s Revelation in "Mr. Right Now"

The decade-old fling was brought to the forefront of pop culture gossip in October 2020 with the release of the 21 Savage and Metro Boomin track "Mr. Right Now," which featured Drake.

In his verse, Drake rapped the line: "Yeah, said she wanna f**k to some SZA, wait / 'Cause I used to date SZA back in '08."

This single lyric sent the internet into a frenzy. The 2008 timeline, in particular, raised eyebrows, as SZA would have been 17 or 18 at the time, which is why the singer later felt the need to clarify the exact timing.

2023: SZA Confirms and Clarifies the History

In a 2023 cover story interview with Rolling Stone, SZA finally addressed Drake's lyric and confirmed the relationship, while also setting the record straight on the timeline.

SZA stated that while they did date, it was a "childish" and casual connection. Crucially, she clarified that the relationship actually took place in 2009, not 2008, which would have meant she was 19 years old at the time.

The singer emphasized that there was no bad blood between them, despite the public speculation. She mentioned that they have "always been cool" and that the whole thing was simply a part of their younger lives.

From Exes to Collaborators: The Modern-Day Connection

Despite the awkwardness of Drake revealing their private history in a song, the two artists proved that their professional relationship was stronger than any past drama by collaborating on a major track. This collaboration is the most recent and significant update to their timeline.

The "Slime You Out" Collaboration (2023)

In September 2023, Drake released the first single from his highly anticipated album, For All the Dogs, a track titled "Slime You Out." The song featured SZA, marking their first official collaboration. The track is a slow-burn, introspective R&B song that immediately went viral.

The timing of the collaboration—just three years after Drake's "Mr. Right Now" lyric—was a massive cultural moment, effectively turning their past relationship into a promotional tool and a testament to their mutual respect. The song's release cemented the fact that any lingering tension was long gone, highlighting their maturity and ability to work together as industry peers. "Slime You Out" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, proving the public's intense interest in their combined star power and shared history.

The Subliminal References and Topical Authority

Beyond the confirmed dating and the official collaboration, the history between the two artists has become a recurring theme, often referred to through subtle lyrical nods, creating significant topical authority.
  • "Child's Play": Both artists have a song titled "Child's Play"—SZA's from 2014 (a collaboration with Chance the Rapper) and Drake's from 2016. This shared title is often seen as a subliminal nod to their "childish" fling.
  • Mutual Respect: Despite the public nature of Drake's reveal, SZA has consistently maintained that she respects Drake and his work, calling him a "genius." This mutual respect is key to understanding their ability to collaborate so successfully.
  • The Kendrick Lamar Feud Context: In 2024, the history between Drake and SZA resurfaced in the context of the highly publicized feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. SZA is signed to TDE, the label closely associated with Lamar, making her successful collaboration with Drake a fascinating dynamic in the broader Hip-Hop landscape.

In conclusion, the answer to "Did Drake date SZA?" is a confirmed yes. It was a brief, casual, and "childish" fling that occurred in 2009. This private moment from their past has become a significant part of their public narrative, culminating in a chart-topping collaboration that proved their ability to turn old history into fresh, new music.

did drake date sza
did drake date sza

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