SZN4 INTERVIEW: Meet SZN4—the dynamic group currently redefining the music landscape with a seamless, soulful blend of R&B, Soul, and Pop. Comprising Donzell, Aaliyah, Cameron, and Katie, this quartet immediately stands out due to their effortless sound, authentic artistry, and undeniable chemistry, which legendary icon Kelly Rowland famously described as “silk.” Since their debut on the hit Netflix series Building The Band, SZN4 has evolved from a manufactured group into future icons, earning praise for their emotional storytelling and compelling performances. Get familiar…
What five words define your sound?
Tone. Authenticity. Journey. Story. Unique. Magical.
Tell me something unique about your creative process.
We always start by sitting down with our thoughts and feelings about the song. From there, we bounce ideas off one another, passing melodies back and forth until something just clicks. There’s always this electric moment where we all lock in at the same time, and it feels effortless. One cool thing about us is that we never argue over who sings which part, we each get to be ourselves and still create something unified.
Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?
‘Back to Me’.
What inspired you to make that song?
After finishing the show, we wanted to create a song that spoke to people who’ve ever felt overlooked, a reminder that it’s okay to come back to yourself. ‘Back to Me’ is really an ode to rediscovering who you are and thriving in that version of yourself.
What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing or making music?
Recently, we got in the booth and just told our stories, how music has shaped us and led us to where we are now. There were a lot of emotions and tears, but it turned into something magical. It’s scary being that honest in music. Aaliyah shared that she was nervous to open up about her connection to music, but afterwards said it felt like a weight lifted off her shoulders.
What’s the best and worst experience you’ve had on stage?
Our best experience was our first sold-out show in Los Angeles at The Troubadour. The energy was unreal, the whole crowd was there for us.
Our toughest moment was when we planned to perform ‘A Glimpse of Us’ on the show, rehearsed it, then decided at the last minute to switch to ‘Bust Your Windows’. That pivot turned out to be the right call, the performance ended up being exactly what we needed to give in that moment.
What’s your favourite song to perform?
‘Back to Me’.
Which artist, song, or album made you want to make music?
It ranges for all of us; Adele, Amy Winehouse, and honestly, just music in general. For Cameron, ‘Pocketful of Sunshine’ was one of the first songs that made him feel something deeply, all those melodies just clicked.
What’s success to you?
Success to us is simply being happy. Aaliyah says it’s being able to share that happiness and success with family, making an impact on people’s lives. Donzell defines success as having the freedom to do what you want, when you want.
What moment in your life or career forced you to change direction?
- Cameron: American Idol in 2019, that experience changed everything.
- Donzell: A mission trip to Haiti with my church, it gave me perspective and purpose.
- Katie: Getting laid off from my talent agency job during the 2023 writers’ strike, right before the show came along. It was perfect timing.
- Aaliyah: I’ve been doing music my whole life, but family trials made me take a break. The last few years reminded me why I started and now, I’m back.
Where can people keep in touch with you?
Apple Music: SZN4 on Apple Music
Website: szn4.com
Instagram / TikTok / Linktree: linktr.ee/szn4music — centralised links
YouTube: YouTube channel “SZN4”
