SZA Expresses Concern Over Drake's Use of Her Unpolished Vocals on 'Slime You Out'
SZA initially feared sabotage when Drake used her first-draft vocals on their chart-topping collab 'Slime You Out' But despite her worries, the track went on to reach No 1, showcasing their undeniable musical chemistry
SZA had doubts about Drake regarding the track "Slime You Out."
Although the collaboration between SZA, aged 33, and 37-year-old Drake reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, the "Kill Bill" singer was initially hesitant about the song. SZA expressed her concerns, particularly over Drake's choice to keep her first take of the vocals. In an interview with WSJ. Magazine published on Monday, October 30, SZA shared, "If you accept my initial version, I won't have trust in you." However, despite her reservations, Drake proceeded to incorporate her first take in "Slime You Out."
"I just submitted the initial draft to Drake and he's including it on his album," she revealed to the publication, voicing her concerns. "I'm anxious because I had submitted additional vocals and he didn't utilize them. Now I can't help but wonder, 'Are you intentionally trying to undermine me?' I know deep down that's not the case, but that's how low I feel about my first draft. When things come effortlessly, I struggle to fully enjoy them."
However, Drake's judgement proved to be spot-on. "Slime You Out" made its debut at the top of the Hot 100 chart, marking SZA's second number one hit (following "Kill Bill," which reached the top spot on the Billboard chart in April). The song also marked Drake's 12th number one single. His 13th number one was achieved when the album "For All the Dogs," which features "Slime You Out," was released on October 6. Another song from the album, "First Person Shooter," featuring J. Cole, also reached number one.
Drake and SZA collaborated on the song "Slime You Out," marking their first musical project together since Drake publicly revealed in October 2020 that they had previously dated. In the song "Mr. Right Now" from 21 Savage's album Savage Mode 2, Drake rapped about their past relationship, stating, "Yeah, said she wanna f–k to some SZA, wait / 'Cause I used to date SZA back in '08." Despite this, SZA clarified in a tweet that they actually dated in 2009 and explained that Drake had innocently rhymed "08" with "wait." She reassured her followers that anyone who knew her during that time could confirm their relationship and emphasized that their brief fling when she was 18 and he was 21 was completely innocent and in the past.
"We were quite young," she mentioned in a recent Rolling Stone interview, reflecting on her brief involvement with Drake. "It wasn't intense or anything. Just youthful vibes. It felt rather childish."
SZA is currently concluding her tour in support of her latest album, SOS, released in 2022. Her remaining shows for the year will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 8, and at TD Garden in Boston on December 10. Meanwhile, Drake completed his It's All a Blur Tour in early October and hinted at the possibility of taking a hiatus from music to address health concerns, shortly after releasing For All the Dogs.
