30 For 30
by SZA (featuring Kendrick Lamar)

Album: Lana (2024)
Charted: 33 10
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "30 for 30" is a brash collaboration between SZA and Kendrick Lamar included on Lana, the reissue of SZA's second studio album, SOS. One of SZA's more braggadocios cuts, the song finds the pair asserting their self-respect while calling out the fake energy that seems to permeate certain circles of fame. They make no bones about prioritizing their peace while tossing lyrical grenades at anyone not keeping it 100.
  • The song is the third collaboration between the pair in 2024, following "Luther" and "Gloria," both recorded for Lamar's GNX album. While those two tracks showed Lamar softening under SZA's influence, "30 for 30" flips the script. Here, K-Dot acts as SZA's hype man, nudging her toward new levels of cockiness.
  • Lamar pokes fun at a former friend of SZA's throughout his rhymes. Drake and SZA have been friends for a long time, and they were romantically involved in the late 2000s. If you've been paying attention to 2024's rap war between Lamar and Drake, the target isn't exactly hard to guess. None of his jabs are explicit, but they potentially include:

    You f---in' with niggas that's thinkin' they cuter than you

    Is Lamar mocking Drake's image and perceived focus on appearance?

    Say you on your cycle, but he on his period too

    He's seemingly questioning Drake's masculinity or emotional nature.

    The tenderness of 'em, mistakin' 'em for some wagyu

    Another possible dig at Drake's perceived softness or sensitivity.

    The tables been turnin' so much, I was thinkin' it's foosball

    Another line that feels tailor made to get under Drake's skin, especially as many believe Kendrick has now firmly outpaced him in both popularity and critical acclaim.

    The song title "30 for 30" might be a reference to Drake's 2015 song "30 for 30 Freestyle," potentially repurposing it as a challenge.
  • SZA, for her part, doesn't sit this one out. While Drake previously threw shade her way on his diss track "Push Ups," claiming she had Lamar "wiped down," SZA claps back with a slyly devastating line of her own:

    I'm wipin' 'em down in front of they ni---a

    It's clear she's chosen her side in this war, and her allegiance lies with her former TDE brother.
  • "30 For 30" begins with a sample of Bobby DeBarge's vocals from Switch's "I Call Your Name." The song was featured on their 1979 album, Switch II.
  • J. White Did It's production is laced with soaring strings and booming 808s. His previous work includes producing hit songs like "Bodak Yellow" and "I Like It" for Cardi B, as well as "Savage" for Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.