I Hate U (SZA song)

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]

"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]

Following its single release, "I Hate U" debuted at number one on the US Spotify and Apple Music charts;[18] and 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 on the charts of several countries: it peaked within the top 40 of New Zealand (8),[27] South Africa (8),[28] Canada (14),[29] Ireland (27),[30] and further reached Portugal (49)[31] and Lithuania (63).[32] It entered and peaked at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart[33] and received a silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).[34] In Australia, the song reached number 16 on the ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart[35] and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[36] "I Hate U" debuted and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Global 200.[37]

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.[38]

Credits adapted via YouTube.[39]

• Solána Rowe – composer, lyricist
• Robert Bisel – producer, composer, programmer
• Carter Lang – producer, composer, programmer
• Cody Fayne (ThankGod4Cody) – producer, composer, programmer
• Dylan Patrice – producer, composer, programmer