"I Hate U"
An iPhone screenshot of a text conversation with SZA, whose avatar is a greyscale portrait of her taking a selfie by the mirror. Sent at 8:06 a.m., the sole message, which comes from SZA, reads "I hate u."
Single by SZA
from the album SOS
ReleasedDecember 3, 2021
GenreElectro-R&B
Length2:54
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
SZA singles chronology
"Kiss Me More"
(2021) 		"I Hate U"
(2021) 		"No Love"
(2022)
Lyric video
"I Hate U" on YouTube

"I Hate U" is a song by American singer SZA. It was released through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records on December 3, 2021, as the second single from SZA's second studio album, SOS (2022). It was originally released on SoundCloud on August 22, 2021. "I Hate U" is an electro-R&B song with a "crunching", light instrumental, containing a relaxed, "ethereal" chorus, and hip hop-influenced verses.[1] A break-up song, it finds SZA detailing what went wrong in a past relationship, expressing resentment towards an ex-partner but acknowledging that she still misses them.

"I Hate U" entered at number seven on the United States's Billboard Hot 100, where it became SZA's fifth top-10 entry. It also peaked within the top 40 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The song received certifications from Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US.

Background

The song was originally released exclusively on SZA's (anonymous) SoundCloud on August 22, 2021, along with two other tracks, "Joni" and "Nightbird".[2] She revealed that her astrologist encouraged her to release the songs.[3] After "I Hate U" received a warm response from fans and garnered viral popularity on video-sharing app TikTok, SZA decided to give it an official release, stating: "Honestly, this started out as an exercise. I just wanted somewhere to dump my thoughts without pressure. Y'all made it a thing and I'm not mad LMAO. Ask and you shall receive".[4] However, after the song reached number one on US Apple Music, SZA revealed that the song is an official single, posting on social media: "One thing about y'all: y'all gon' make it a single even if it ain't! I love you! Thank you! [5][6] She also deemed the SoundCloud release an "experiment".[4]

Composition and reception

"I Hate U" has a lo-fi production.[7] Vulture's Justin Curto labeled "I Hate U" a "groovy breakup song, anchored by SZA's lyrical directness",[8] while Hayden Davies of Pilerats found it a "subtle and seemingly 90s-indebted take on SZA's sound, with a crunching production swaying amongst SZA's vocal".[9] HotNewHipHop's Alexander Cole gave the song a "Very Hottttt" rating, complimenting the "dark production that complements the singer's voice perfectly", and noted, "throughout the track, she sings about a recent breakup and how she wishes things had played out differently".[10] Ciaran Brennan of Hot Press said the song, along with "Joni" and "Nightbird", "showcases SZA's musical diversity", with the singer "switching up between passionate, emotional vocals and relaxed verses".[11] Okayplayer's Robyn Mowat noted how the song "is filled with reflections on love, heartache and her headspace regarding a love gone wrong".[12] NorthJersey.com's Jack McLoone deemed the track signature SZA, despite finding "her vocals on the chorus are more ethereal, while in the verses she skews closer to traditional R&B delivery with some clear hip hop influences.[13] Naledi Ushe of PopSugar called it "a banger for all the heartbroken (past and present) people of the world".[14] Comparing the song to Prince's "Eye Hate U" (1995), Jezebel writers said "a relaxed tempo and veritable yacht-rock keyboard underscore lovelorn 'fuck yous' and the overarching idea of hating someone because you love them so much". They noted however, that "despite the song's title, it is not a kiss-off but a call back, praising the "nimble" hook.[15] Billboard's Jason Lipshutz commended the song for showcasing "the vocal power that's made her such a captivating figure in mainstream pop and R&B".[16] Similarly, HipHopDX's David Aaron Blake said, over the "wailing" synth and "lush" instrumental, is SZA's "uncontainable and booming voice".[17]

Commercial performance

Following its official release, "I Hate U" debuted at number one on the United States's Spotify and Apple Music charts;[18] it broke the record for the most streamed R&B song by a female artist on Apple Music in its first week.[19] The song opened and peaked[20] at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100; its first-week figures included 26.7 million streams, 4,600 downloads, and 485,000 airplay audiences. The song marked SZA's fifth top-10 entry on the chart and her second to debut in the top 10 after "Kiss Me More", with Doja Cat. On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, "I Hate U" was her first number-one song. Meanwhile on Hot R&B Songs, it became SZA's second chart topper following "The Weekend" in 2018.[21]

In late–March 2022, "I Hate U" reached number one on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay; it marked SZA's first chart topper and the first female artist to top the chart since Megan Thee Stallion with "Savage" in 2020. A few weeks earlier, "I Hate U" became SZA's first solo song and her second overall to top the Rhythmic chart after "Kiss Me More" in 2021.[22][23] On other Billboard airplay charts, the song peaked at number 33 on Mainstream Top 40[24] and number 15 on the all-genre Radio Songs.[25] On February 6, 2023, it was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[26]

Elsewhere, "I Hate U" debuted and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Global 200.[27] On national charts, "I Hate U" peaked within the top 40 of New Zealand (8),[28] South Africa (8),[29] Canada (14),[30] Australia (16),[31] Ireland (27),[32] the United Kingdom (38),[33] and further reached Portugal (49)[34] and Lithuania (63).[35] It has received certfications from Australia (platinum),[36] Canada (double platinum),[37] and the UK (silver).[38]

Music video

A music video to accompany "I Hate U" was released on January 7, 2022. The visualizer, directed by Jack Begert, centers around a man (played by actor Lakeith Stanfield) in a heated argument on the phone. After the fiery phone call, he finds himself alone walking along the beach trying to light a cigarette and failing to do so. He then receives a text from SZA that reads "i hate u", prompting him to hurl his phone in the ocean. The video concludes with the words "Not The End", hinting at a possible follow-up.[39]

Credits

Adapted from the liner notes of SOS[40]

Recording and management

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "I Hate U"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[36] Platinum 70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[52] Platinum 40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[37] 2× Platinum 160,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[38] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[26] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various December 3, 2021
[53]
United States January 11, 2022 Urban contemporary radio RCA [54]
March 15, 2022 Urban adult contemporary radio [55]

References

  1. ^ Kaplan, Ilana (December 3, 2021). "SZA Officially Drops 'I Hate You' as New Single". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  2. ^ Hussey, Allison (December 3, 2021). "SZA Officially Releases New Single "I Hate U"". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  3. ^ D'Souza, Shaad (August 22, 2021). "SZA drops new songs "Nightbird", "I Hate You" and "Joni"". The Fader. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Cowen, Trace William (December 3, 2021). "SZA's "I Hate U" Gets an Official Release After Going Viral on TikTok". Complex. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  5. ^ "One thing ab challll yall gon make it a single even if it aint !' I love you ! Thank you !" ..." December 3, 2021. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021 – via Instagram.
  6. ^ @SZA (December 3, 2021). "One thing ab y'all .y'all gon take a song that wasn't a single and make it a single !! THANK YOU !!!!" (Tweet). Retrieved December 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ Caramanica, Jon (March 5, 2023). "On Her Biggest Tour Yet, SZA Makes Small Feelings Huge". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  8. ^ Curto, Justin (December 3, 2021). "If You Wondered If SZA Was Going to Release 'I Hate U,' She Did". Vulture. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  9. ^ Davies, Hayden. "Listen to three surprise new songs from SZA: Nightbird, I Hate You and Joni". Pilerats. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  10. ^ Cole, Alexander (August 22, 2021). "SZA Unleashes Yet Another Song On SoundCloud In "I Hate You"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  11. ^ Brennan, Ciaran (August 23, 2021). "SZA releases 3 new songs from anonymous Soundcloud account". Hot Press. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  12. ^ Mowat, Robyn (December 3, 2021). "SZA Commences Sad Girl Season With New Single "I Hate U"". Okayplayer. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  13. ^ McLoone, Jack (December 3, 2021). "New SZA single 'I Hate U' released after TikTok success". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  14. ^ Ushe, Naledi (December 3, 2021). "SZA, I Love You For Officially Releasing "I Hate U"". PopSugar. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  15. ^ Juzwiak, Rich; Reese, Ashley (December 3, 2021). "SZA's Love Pours Out in "I Hate U"". Jezebel. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  16. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (December 3, 2021). "First Stream: New Music From Ariana Grande & Kid Cudi, Juice Wrld & Justin Bieber and More". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  17. ^ Blake, David Aaron (December 3, 2021). "New Music Friday - New Singles From Brent Faiyaz, SZA, Blxst, Mary J. Blige + More". HipHopDX. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  18. ^ "SZA's "I Hate U" Tops Apple Music & Spotify Daily Charts". Rap Basement. December 6, 2021. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  19. ^ Singleton, Micah (December 15, 2021). "SZA's 'I Hate U' Breaks Apple Music R&B Streaming Record". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  20. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  21. ^ Trust, Gary (December 13, 2021). "Adele's 'Easy on Me' Adds 7th Week Atop Hot 100, SZA's 'I Hate U' Debuts at No. 7". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  22. ^ Anderson, Trevor (March 31, 2022). "SZA Achieves First No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay With 'I Hate U'". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  23. ^ Anderson, Trevor (March 17, 2022). "SZA Leads RCA Records to Historic Top Four Takeover on Rhythmic Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  24. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  25. ^ "SZA Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  26. ^ a b "American single certifications – SZA – I Hate U". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  28. ^ a b "SZA – I Hate U.". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  29. ^ a b "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100: Week 49". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  30. ^ a b "SZA Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  31. ^ a b "SZA – I Hate U.". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  33. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  34. ^ a b "SZA – I Hate U.". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  35. ^ a b "2021 50-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  36. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  37. ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – SZA – I Hate U". Music Canada. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  38. ^ a b "British single certifications – SZA – I Hate U". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  39. ^ Watch the video for SZA's 'I Hate U', starring Lakeith Stanfield - NME (accessed January 23, 2022)
  40. ^ SZA (2023). SOS (vinyl liner notes). Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records. 19658-77921-1.
  41. ^ "IFPI Charts". ifpi.gr. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  42. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 2, 2022" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  43. ^ "Single Tip". Dutch Charts. December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  44. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 49". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  45. ^ "SZA Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  46. ^ "SZA Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  47. ^ "SZA Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  48. ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  49. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  50. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  51. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  52. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – SZA – I Hate You" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  53. ^ "I Hate U - Single by SZA on Apple Music". December 3, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  54. ^ "Urban/R&B Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  55. ^ "Urban/R&B Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
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