After a long time coming, "Shirt" by SZA is finally here. The official long-awaited fourth single from her upcoming second studio album is finally here after snippets of the song leaked and gained viral notoriety from leading social video streaming platform "Tik Tok".
Was it worth the wait?
On a sonic level, "Shirt" seems to have most of the components of a certified bop. Granted the unreleased original version that was leaked/previewed a couple of years or so ago is clearly different from the version that was released now and I believe it was better than the version that was recrafted and released, much to my chagrin on a sonic basis solely. Lyrically, the song speaks on SZA's anxiousness and a sense of depression as she seems to be currently infatuated with a lover that has long moved on, which, is interesting as many artist are speaking on their anxiety. And in this case, could very well be linked to SZA's mental obsession over said man in song (just my perspective). From a personal basis, the lyrics "In the dark right now Feelin' lost, but I like it Comfort in my sins" make me a bit uneasy personally just because of my own convictions as a Christian and on the basis of what sin is = evil in the sight of God. Which kind of brings me to my next point.....
The music video disturbed me a bit on a few different levels.
There are so many moral issues I take with this music video. The first that struck me odd is SZA's notion that there is energy in everything, while scientifically and on a definitive basis the definition of energy is "the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity." Thus, everything does not carry energy in it including some of the things SZA listed as having energy. As well, in a sense it seems to glamorize murder as if its not a really as bad as what it is. SZA and Lakeith Stanfield seemlessly murder several people in the video,and in turn eventually turn on each other displaying a certain attitude of nonchalance that doesn't really have much to do with the actual song. It even playfully associates a weird sense of sexuality around death as SZA seductively and sensually straddles Lakeith as he awaits his death.
But the biggest thing that bothered me about this music video was it's straight up blasphemy. In one of the beginning scenes, there is a scene in which SZA and Lakeith dress up as a nun and a priest, coming into a sacred place with a man holding his bible and what would appear to be temple prostitutes.
Everything about this scene is disturbing. For one, it's complete blasphemy as they entered into a Holy/Sacred place that was completely separated for the purpose of God in which it has become perverted by Pregnant nuns (defeating the purpose of what nuns do and stand for) temple prostitutes', symbolizing a defilement of holy ground and then finally, SZA and Lakeith killing what appears to be a southern pastor (cowboy hat and attire) holding his "Holy Bible". I would like to put emphasis especially on the last sentiment of what I said for a few reasons: 1) Though it wouldn't be right to kill this man for money or revenge or any other thing, there's no indication of motive as to why they killed this man. As a a matter of fact, the scene is literally random as hell. 2) SZA is a self-professing mulism who was raised as such and they believe in Allah and the Quran and not the God of Holy Bible. So why exactly would SZA do this?
Add in the fact that this was not supposed to be the initial music video for "Shirt" and that, according to SZA, she delayed the release of the song to change certain things in the visual, it becomes even more disturbing.
There seems to be a very sinister and (dare I say it) Satanic agenda and propaganda behind many of the minds of people in Hollywood and more specifically, the music industry. I mean, afterall, multi-billion dollar ran companies and industry's fund these videos and get the same directors to depict such things. And, for all intents and purposes, SZA did not use any imagery to demoralize or disrespect the God or Spiritual practices of her own religion, a religion in which many have caused an uproar on numerous occasions against those who have used their practices and imagery to slander or blaspheme it.
With all of this said, thoughts? Sound off below.
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