It was late 2020 when a single line in a song basically broke the internet for twenty-four hours. Drake, ever the one for a calculated name-drop, hopped on the 21 Savage track "Mr. Right Now" and dropped a bombshell: he used to date SZA. Specifically, he rapped that it happened back in '08.
The reaction was instant. Total chaos.
Fans immediately started doing the math, and the math wasn't looking great. If they dated in 2008, SZA would have been 17, and Drake would have been 21 or 22. It didn't take long for the "creepy" allegations to start flying across Twitter. But SZA, being the transparent queen she is, didn't let the rumor mill spin for long. She stepped in to fix the timeline, and honestly, her explanation made way more sense than Drake’s lyrics.
The 2009 Correction
SZA cleared the air on social media almost immediately. She confirmed that, yeah, they did date, but Drake was off by a year. It was actually 2009.
She chalked it up to "poetic rap license," suggesting Drake probably just needed something to rhyme with the word "wait." One year makes a big difference when you're talking about legal ages. By 2009, SZA was 18 and living her life in New York City. She was adamant that there was nothing "underage or creepy" going on.
It was just a fling.
"Youth Vibes" and Childish Energy
In more recent conversations, like her 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, SZA has been pretty blunt about how serious—or rather, not serious—the whole thing was. She described it as "youth vibes."
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"It wasn't hot and heavy or anything," she told the magazine. "It was so childish."
They were both just kids in the industry trying to find their footing. Drake was fresh off Degrassi and finding his legs as a rapper with So Far Gone. SZA was years away from becoming the global powerhouse behind Ctrl. It’s wild to think about now, but at the time, they were just two young people hanging out in the city.
Why the Relationship Still Matters in 2026
You’d think a short-lived romance from nearly two decades ago would be ancient history. In the world of celebrity gossip, it usually is. But the SZA and Drake dating narrative has stayed relevant because of how it’s influenced their music and their public interactions ever since.
For years, nobody even knew they had a history. They moved in similar circles, but they weren't exactly seen out at dinner together. Then came the 2023 collaboration "Slime You Out."
That track was a huge moment. It was the first time they officially worked together, and the lyrics were... pointed. The song explores the messiness of modern relationships and the ways people "slime" each other out or settle for less than they deserve. Seeing them come together for a song about relationship toxicity, knowing they had their own "childish" past, added a layer of depth that fans obsessed over.
The Regina George Comparison
SZA has a funny way of describing Drake’s personality. She once compared him to Regina George from Mean Girls.
She told Audacy that he has that "cool kid" energy where he’s entertaining to watch, but you might end up being a victim of the drama if you’re too close to the blast zone. She said she "cackled" when she heard his lyrics about her. There’s clearly no bad blood, but she definitely sees him for who he is—a master of the public narrative.
The Kendrick Lamar Factor
Things got even more complicated recently. During the massive 2024 feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, SZA found herself caught in the crossfire.
In his track "Push Ups," Drake tried to use SZA to bait Kendrick. He suggested that SZA was more deserving of being in the "Big 3" of rap than Kendrick was. It was a classic Drake move: using a compliment to someone else as a weapon against his rival.
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SZA’s reaction? Pure confusion. She posted a meme of NeNe Leakes basically asking, "Now why am I in this?"
She didn't stay neutral for long, though. By the time Kendrick dropped his album GNX, SZA was featured on two tracks, "Gloria" and "Luther." She even joined Kendrick for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show. Seeing SZA and Serena Williams (another one of Drake's famous exes) on stage with Kendrick was a loud, clear message. It felt like a definitive "side" had been chosen in the rap wars of the decade.
The Reality of Their Bond Today
Despite the drama and the "Regina George" jabs, the two seem to have a weirdly stable friendship. Drake has publicly praised SZA’s music, calling her "the chef's kiss" on his Instagram stories. They’ve managed to turn a teenage fling into a professional respect that survives even the nastiest industry beefs.
Here is the reality of what we know:
- They dated briefly in 2009.
- It was casual, not a "deep" love affair.
- They remained "cool" for over a decade before ever mentioning it publicly.
- Their professional collaboration on For All The Dogs proved they can still work together.
- SZA isn't afraid to poke fun at him, but she also defends the "innocence" of their past.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the ever-shifting landscape of OVO and TDE, here’s what you should actually pay attention to:
- Listen to the Lyrics: Drake rarely mentions a name without a reason. If he brings up SZA again, look at who else he’s feuding with at that moment.
- Check the Credits: Their musical chemistry on "Slime You Out" was undeniable. Despite the Kendrick Lamar alliance, don't be surprised if they pop up on a track together again in the future.
- Trust SZA’s Timeline: When it comes to her personal life, SZA has proven to be the more reliable narrator. If Drake says 2008 and she says 2009, go with 2009.
The story of them dating isn't a tragic romance or a hidden scandal. It’s just a reminder that the music industry is a very small world. Sometimes, the person you had a "childish" fling with at 18 ends up being the person you're topping the Billboard charts with fifteen years later.