SZA Announces ‘Lana’ Deluxe Album Release Date With Ben Stiller’s Help

SZA has officially unveiled the release date for Lana, the highly anticipated deluxe edition of her groundbreaking album SOS, and she’s doing it with a surprising collaborator—Ben Stiller.

On Monday, December 16, the “Kill Bill” singer dropped two teaser videos across her social media channels, starring the legendary actor. In the clips, Stiller is seen lip-syncing to a brand new track titled “Drive” while cruising late at night in a car. Things take a humorous yet slightly dramatic turn when SZA’s heartfelt lyrics hit too close to home, prompting Stiller to close his eyes and briefly swerve into another lane—risking it all, so to speak.

The short teasers are believed to hint at an upcoming full music video for “Drive,” with Stiller playing a key role.

In her caption, SZA confirmed that Lana will officially drop this Friday, December 20, writing: “DELUXE (Lana) 12.20.24. THANK YOU @benstiller [🥹💗]”

A Nostalgic Callback and SZA’s Bond With Stiller

The collaboration between SZA and Ben Stiller feels unexpected but not without precedent. Stiller’s involvement serves as a clever throwback to his appearance in Jack Johnson’s 2003 music video for “Taylor”, where the actor similarly lip-synced to the track.

Their unique friendship first blossomed earlier this year when SZA revealed her love for Severance, the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series co-directed by Stiller. In a playful social media post, SZA demanded a second season of the dystopian show, writing:

“Was tryna be polite but I really need a new season of Severance right the fuck now.”

Stiller humorously responded: “Ok ok got it.”

True to form, earlier this month when the Severance Season 2 trailer dropped, Stiller made sure to tag SZA with a personal note:

“Attn: @sza. For you. 💙”

Clearly, this mutual appreciation has blossomed into creative synergy, now culminating in their Lana collaboration.

What Fans Can Expect From Lana

SZA has been teasing Lana for quite some time, with fans eagerly awaiting the deluxe edition of her Grammy-winning sophomore album SOS (released in December 2022). Initially, SZA had described Lana as a separate project rather than a traditional deluxe album.

During a conversation with Kai Cenat on his livestream last month, SZA confirmed:

“There’s a whole new project that you will hear… It will be out before the year is over.”

However, the path to Lana has not been smooth. Earlier this year, several tracks were leaked, prompting SZA to take a bold stance. She wrote:

“Y’all leaked three songs from the deluxe. At this point, y’all can keep the throwaways and leaks. I’ll be starting Lana from scratch. Do not ask me about it again. Thank you.”

Despite the setbacks, Lana is now officially on its way, promising fresh, never-before-heard material from one of R&B’s most celebrated voices.

A Busy 2024 for SZA

The release of Lana comes ahead of SZA’s highly anticipated Grand National Tour, where she will co-headline with fellow TDE superstar Kendrick Lamar. The tour is set to kick off in April 2024, adding another milestone to an already monumental year for the singer.

With Lana dropping this Friday, fans can finally immerse themselves in the next chapter of SZA’s musical journey—and enjoy a little Ben Stiller magic along the way. Get ready for December 20, because Lana is coming. SZA season continues! 🚀🎶