The Definitive Timeline: Did Drake And SZA Really Date? Unpacking The 2008 Fling And The 2024 Feud Resurface

Contents

The question of whether Drake and SZA dated is one of modern R&B and Hip-Hop’s most persistent and intriguing mysteries, largely because the truth was hidden for over a decade. As of December 19, 2025, the definitive answer is yes, the two musical titans did have a brief, casual relationship—but it happened way back in the late 2000s, long before either artist achieved their current global superstardom. The story of their connection, however, continues to be a major talking point, resurfacing most recently amidst the intense 2024 rap beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, proving that in the world of celebrity, no past relationship is ever truly over.

The initial revelation came not from a tabloid or an interview, but from a surprising lyric dropped by Drake himself, forcing SZA to address the private history publicly. This deep dive explores the confirmed timeline, the shocking lyric that broke the news, and the current context that keeps this decade-old fling in the headlines.

Artist Profiles: Aubrey Drake Graham and Solána Imani Rowe

To fully appreciate the context of their brief romance, it is essential to understand where each artist stood at the time of their alleged 2008/2009 connection versus their current status as industry giants.

Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham)

  • Full Name: Aubrey Drake Graham
  • Date of Birth: October 24, 1986
  • Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, producer, and businessman.
  • Key Entities/Labels: OVO Sound, Cash Money Records, Republic Records.
  • Career Status (2008-2009): Drake was transitioning from his acting role as Jimmy Brooks on *Degrassi: The Next Generation* and was an emerging mixtape artist. His third mixtape, *So Far Gone*, which launched him into mainstream success, was released in 2009, meaning the relationship predates his true global fame.

SZA (Solána Imani Rowe)

  • Full Name: Solána Imani Rowe
  • Date of Birth: November 8, 1989 (Note: Some sources cite 1990)
  • Place of Birth: St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
  • Occupation: Singer-songwriter.
  • Key Entities/Labels: Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), RCA Records.
  • Career Status (2008-2009): SZA was a private citizen, a teenager, and had not yet begun her professional music career. She would not release her first EP, *See.SZA.Run*, until 2012, and would not sign with TDE until 2013, making her a completely unknown entity to the public at the time of the relationship.

The Shocking Lyric That Revealed the Secret Fling

For more than a decade, the relationship between Drake and SZA was a well-kept secret. This changed abruptly in October 2020 with the release of the song "Mr. Right Now" by Metro Boomin and 21 Savage, which featured a verse from Drake.

The "Mr. Right Now" Revelation

Drake, known for dropping bombshells about his past relationships in his music, included a line that immediately set the internet ablaze. The lyric in question was:

*“Yeah, said she wanna f*ck to some SZA, wait / ‘Cause I used to date SZA back in ’08 / If you cool with it, baby, she can still play.”*

The casual mention of dating SZA in 2008 was a massive shock to fans, as the two artists had never publicly been linked.

SZA’s Confirmation and Crucial Clarification

The lyric immediately sparked intense discussion, particularly regarding the timeline. SZA, who was born in 1989, would have been 17 years old for most of 2008, while Drake (born in 1986) would have been 21, raising concerns about the age difference.

SZA took to social media to address the rumors, confirming the relationship but clarifying the year to alleviate any controversy. In a 2020 tweet, she stated:

*“So it was actually 2009 lol. I just didn’t want anybody thinking anything underage or creepy was happening. Totally innocent. Lifetimes ago.”*

She later reiterated this in a *Rolling Stone* interview, calling the brief connection "young" and "casual." This confirmation from SZA is the definitive end to the speculation: they dated, but it was a short, low-stakes romance from their youth.

The Resurface: Why the 2009 Fling Became 2024 News

The story of Drake and SZA’s brief romance has had multiple resurfacing moments, but none were as high-profile as the events of 2024. The relationship history was dragged back into the spotlight due to two major, unrelated events.

The Kendrick Lamar Feud Connection

In the spring of 2024, the long-simmering feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar exploded into a series of highly publicized diss tracks. Because both SZA and Kendrick Lamar are affiliated with the influential label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), and SZA had a past with Drake, she became an unwitting pawn in the rap battle.

The history between Drake and SZA resurfaced as a talking point to frame Drake's alleged past behavior and connections to the TDE camp. SZA, who has also collaborated with Drake on his track "Slime You Out" and the 2015 hit "Rich Baby Daddy," found herself in an awkward position between two of the biggest names in music.

In a subsequent interview, SZA spoke about the difficulty of being pulled into the intense beef, stating that she was not involved and had navigated the situation to maintain respect for both artists. This high-stakes drama ensured that the decade-old dating history was once again fresh, relevant, and heavily discussed across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.

The Super Bowl and Continued Collaboration

Another moment that brought the past into the present was SZA’s appearance alongside Kendrick Lamar during the Super Bowl halftime show. This public display of solidarity with Lamar, especially during the height of the feud, reignited discussions about her history with Drake.

Despite the past dating drama and the current rap feud, the professional relationship between Drake and SZA remains intact. Their 2023 collaboration, "Slime You Out," which was released as a single from Drake's *For All the Dogs* album, shows that the two artists have moved past their brief fling and the public drama surrounding it. The song, which features SZA, even seems to subtly reference their toxic relationship history, transforming their personal past into powerful musical content.

Topical Authority: Why the Relationship Matters to Fans

The sustained interest in the Drake and SZA relationship is a case study in celebrity intrigue, driven by several key factors:

  • The Time Warp: The relationship occurred when both were essentially unknowns. This "before they were famous" narrative adds a layer of genuine, un-Hollywoodized romance that fans find compelling.
  • The Power Dynamic Shift: At the time, Drake was the slightly more established artist, but SZA has since ascended to a comparable level of fame with the success of her *SOS* album and multiple Grammy wins. Their current status as equals makes the past connection even more fascinating.
  • The Music: Drake is famous for using his real-life romantic history as fuel for his music, from the *Certified Lover Boy* era onward. The fact that SZA has collaborated with him, often on songs with themes of complex relationships, suggests a mature, professional bond that survived the initial awkwardness of his public revelation.

In conclusion, the answer to "Did Drake date SZA?" is unequivocally yes, for a short period in 2009. The fact that this simple, decade-old truth continues to be a major news story, particularly when dragged into the contemporary context of the Drake-Kendrick Lamar beef, highlights the enduring power of celebrity secrets and the unique way Hip-Hop artists use their personal lives to fuel their art.

did drake date sza
did drake date sza

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