SZA has experienced some hardships lately, including worries she has "permanently injured" her vocal cords.
However, this week was one of celebration for the artist as she accepted induction into the hall of fame at her alma mater, Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey, Billboard reports.
Columbia High School students cheered as SZA — known in the school halls as Solána Rowe — walked onto the stage and gave an impassioned speech.
"When I went to this school things were very different, we had free ninth periods and a lot of room to make bad decisions that low-key turned us into great people,” SZA recalled.
SZA got especially vulnerable, noting she was "incredibly unpopular" while in high school but pursuing her dreams led her to be "nominated for five Grammys."
“You have to pay attention to how God is working in your life in tiny, tiny ways. It starts with compassion. It starts with trusting yourself,” she said.
In her speech, SZA told the young minds in attendance to spend time "daydreaming."
“You find the details and the inner workings of yourself and what you actually want to do … daydreaming is actually where this whole thing starts," mused the Ctrl singer.
Before leaving, SZA showed those worried about her vocal cords that she's still able to sing beautifully by regaling the crowd with her popular hit, "The Weekend."
