SZA has added “Nobody Gets Me” to the expanding collection of breathtaking visuals in support of SOS with the release of her second music video off her sophomore album.
The St. Louis native is shown in the clip standing on a rooftop with the New York City skyline as her backdrop, dressed casually in large slacks and a New York Jets letterman’s jacket.
The sorrowful, guitar-driven ballad, on which SZA tries to save her relationship, is reflected in the startling simplicity of the black-and-white visual.
The newly released video, which was directed by Bradley Calder, is a sharp contrast to the previous materials SZA released in the weeks before the release of SOS.
She began her promotional campaign with the extravagant video for “Shirt,” which stars Lakeith Stanfield in a criminal drama-themed clip reminiscent of films like Belly and Queen & Slim, after months of building anticipation for the release.
Following the October release, SZA released a seductive, enigmatic teaser trailer for the song named “PSA.” In it, the singer posed in what looked to be an alleyway, with the only other visual in the brief clip being a chemical fire.
When she revealed SOS will be released on December 9, just hours after appearing on Saturday Night Live, she gave fans a similar clip on December 3. Live-action clips from the photo shoot that produced the album cover were used in the second trailer.
Just before the album’s release, SZA backed up a developing fan idea that Princess Diana, who posed for a similar photo in 1997 while visiting Portofino, Italy, served as inspiration for the artwork.
SZA stated to Hot 97, “Originally I was meant to be on top of a shipping barge, but I pulled the Diana reference for that.” Because it is what I most wanted to communicate, I adored how alone she felt.
The widely awaited sophomore album from SZA has uncredited vocals from Lizzo and guest appearances from Travis Scott, Don Toliver, the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and Phoebe Bridgers. It has 23 tracks in total.
However, the Top Dawg Entertainment vocalist claimed during the same Hot 97 interview with radio personality Nessa that she approached other musicians about joining the project, but they never provided their vocals.
She explained, “People are begged for collaborations and it happens in the DMs. People occasionally submit their verses, and occasionally they don’t. Many folks just did not submit their verses, but I am appreciative of those who did.
SZA said that she has been guilty of passing up feature requests from many of the same artists she has contacted in the past, but it doesn’t mean she isn’t still dissatisfied.
I can’t be too furious because many of these people didn’t turn in their verse, she said. But on the other hand, it’s also like, ‘Damn, this stinks. Seriously, I needed you. I wish you had come to see me. However, I’m certain they felt the same for me.
