SZA Says Punch Was ‘Right’ About Setting Boundaries Around Music
It seems that rumors of SZA and Punch parting ways might not be true.
On Thursday, Jan. 16, the SOS singer took to X to fire off some tweets about how TDE president Terrence “Punch” Henderson was “right” about setting boundaries around her artistry.
“I used to think sharing snippets, personal info + music tea would build connection but it actually just made ppl entitled ungrateful and disrespectful,” she wrote. “It’s time to restore the boundary. Be blessed.”
In a follow-up tweet, she added, “No more explanations / updates. No back n forth. All further questions hit punch. Thanks.” Then finally, she said, “Punch was right.”
Solána also responded to Punch’s quote-tweet, where he replied with a side-eye emoji. “U been told me stop sharing snippets and tea,” she said. “Thought I was on to something. I’m clear now.”
Either way, SZA still has to fulfill her contract obligations to the label, which requires her to release two more albums. Earlier this month, she tweeted, “To fulfill my last 2 album requirements I think I just wanna make peaceful children’s music n get outta here. Then go be a farmer n donate the produce to underserved communities.”
It’s unknown what the status of their current working relationship is, particularly following recent speculation that Punch was no longer managing SZA.
In late December, she took to X to reveal that they had split just days after the arrival of her SOS deluxe, Lana. The TDE president had been managing the singer since 2011.
Solána shared the news on Instagram after sharing a screenshot of her text conversation with Punch on X, where she requested to drop the new tracks, “Take You Down,” “PSA,” and “Open Arms.”
“King being kind n finna let me purge it all .. yes im secretly begging for more than this lmao everybody say thank you @iamstillpunch,” she wrote alongside the screenshot.
When a fan asked about the additional SOS deluxe songs on IG, SZA wrote, “Those were tracks punch and I spoke about releasing together prior. Obviously he stepped away abruptly so sorting the drop out was a bit tricky. Pls Give me a second .. they’ll be loaded.”
She added, “And to be clear I love punch deeply ! NO ONE should be attacking him or being cruel on my behalf . Sometimes ppl grow apart and that’s okay.”
“Nothing to celebrate . The end of an era,” she continued. “I wish him the best whatever his choices may be.”
Punch also addressed the change on X.
“Nothing real can be threatened. Relax ppl,” he tweeted around the time.
“SMH. Change your bio and everything goes haywire. Sheesh. I’m beginning to suspect some of you guys don’t fancy me very much,” he wrote in a follow-up tweet. Punch’s X bio still says he manages SZA.
The 35-year-old released Lana on Dec. 20, which seemingly exists as both a deluxe and a separate project. The 15-track extended edition features Kendrick Lamar on “30 for 30,’ and production from Michael Uzowuru, ThankGod4Cody, Carter Lang, Rob Bisel, Solomonophonic & Monsune, and Dylan Neustadter, among others.
Complex reached out to Punch for a statement to clarify SZA’s comments and will update this story.
