SZA's debut album for TDE, Ctrl, has been a smashing R&B success for most of 2017. Filled with raw emotional moments that stick in your mind long after the album ends, it was a virtuoso proper introduction to the scene for one of their new breakout female stars. Now, she's got another accolade coming her way, courtesy of one of print media's most respected and prestigious institutions.
Time magazine, perhaps best known for their always-polarizing "Person of the Year" award (which has both Donald Trump and Colin Kaepernick in the running as candidates this month), released their list of the year's 10 best albums. Hip-hop and R&B were well represented in the Top 5, with Khalid's American Teen and Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. coming in at No. 4 and No. 2 respectively. However, it was SZA who took the crown for the best long-form release of the year, commenting that the singer's work is comprised of "witty songs marked by gorgeously sparse R&B production and ironclad melodies."
There are some interesting omissions, including Jay-Z's 4:44, which has earned the veteran rapper five Grammy nods, including one for Album of the Year. Others, like Migos and Future, also weren't shown love by Time. However, it's a great accomplishment for SZA, not simply because this was her debut album, but also because she, along with Cardi B and Rapsody, have ushered in hip-hop's next wave of female superstars.
Also, make sure you check out the end-of-year albums list that has been curated by HNHH's writing staff. Peep it here and let us know what you think of our rankings in the comments.