I Hate U

## I Hate USong by SZA

"**I Hate U**" (originally titled "**I Hate You**") is the twenty-first track from SZA's sophomore album *SOS*. It was originally released along with two other songs on SZA's SoundCloud account in August 2021, before receiving a release on major platforms on December 3, 2021, after garnering popularity on the video-sharing app, TikTok. A break-up song, it finds SZA detailing what went wrong in a past relationship, expressing resentment towards her ex, but acknowledging that she still misses them. "I Hate U" is an electronic R&B song with a "crunching", dark instrumental, containing a relaxed, "ethereal" chorus, and hip hop-influenced verses.

Upon its release it simultaneously debuted at number one on the United States Spotify and Apple Music streaming songs chart; and broke the record for the most streamed R&B song by a female artist on Apple Music in its first week. The song debuted at number 7 on the US *Billboard* Hot 100 chart, becoming SZA's second song, and second as the lead artist, to debut in the top ten, while also debuting at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart;. It also reached the top 40 in Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

## Background

The song was originally released exclusively on SZA's (anonymous) SoundCloud on August 22, 2021, along with two other tracks, "Joni" and "Nightbird". She revealed that her astrologist encouraged her to release the songs. After "I Hate U" went viral on TikTok and received a warm response from fans, SZA decided to give it an official release, stating: "Honestly this started out as an exercise. I just wanted somewhere to dump my thoughts w out pressure..y'all made it a thing and I'm not mad lmao. ask and u shall receive". 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 ab challll yall gon make it a single even if it aint!' I love you! Thank you!"**
>
>

She also deemed the SoundCloud release an "experiment".

## Composition and reception

*Vulture*'s Justin Curto labeled "I Hate U" a "groovy breakup song, anchored by SZA's lyrical directness", while Hayden Daviss of *Pilerats* found it a "subtle and seemingly 90s-indebted take on SZA's sound, with a crunching production swaying amongst SZA's vocal". *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". 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". Okayplayer's Robyn Mowat noted how the song "is filled with reflections on love, heartache and her headspace regarding a love gone wrong". *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. Naledi Ushe of *PopSugar* called it "a banger for all the heartbroken (past and present) people of the world". 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. *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". Similarly, *HipHopDX*'s David Aaron Blake said, over the "wailing" synth and "lush" instrumental, is SZA's "uncontainable and booming voice".

## 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.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**

I be so sick of you n\*ggas, y'all contradicting

I be so bored with myself, can you come and fuck me?

I feel so ordinary, sad when you around me

Treat me like corduroy, wear me out

Arguments, you air me out

Tripping 'bout your whereabouts

I can't keep no conflict with you, boy, can we just rub it out?

I don't want no static with you, you know you my plug

And I can't shake this habit, no

**[Pre-Chorus]**

I've been up, baby

Heavy reminiscin'

Heavy on the missing you

Wish it was different than what it was (Oh, no)

I've been up, baby

Lost in the lie of us

Lost, ain't no findin' us

I've been up, baby

**[Chorus]**

And if you wonder if I hate you (I do)

Shitty of you to make me feel just like this

What I would do to make you feel just like this

And if you wondered if I hate you (Fuck you)

Shitty of you to make me feel just like this

What I would do to make you feel just like this

**[Verse 2]**

Used to be too solid 'til you scrambled me

Used to be your rider, you mishandle me

Used to be nonviolent 'til you ambushed me

Now I'm out here wildin' with you

Now I'm out here, silent treatment, that mean no permission (No)

Missionary gettin' boring, can you switch positions? (Yeah)

Hard to save your soul, you don't ever listen, no (No)

**[Pre-Chorus]**

I've been up, baby

Heavy reminiscin'

Heavy on the missing you

Wish it was different than what it was (Oh, no)

I've been up, baby

Lost in the lie of us

Lost, ain't no findin' us

I've been up, baby

**[Chorus]**

And if you wonder if I hate you (I do)

Shitty of you to make me feel just like this

What I would do to make you feel just like this

And if you wondered if I hate you (Fuck you)

Shitty of you to make me feel just like this

What I would do to make you feel just like this

## References

1. ↑ *Soundcloud - 09 I Hate You - RB MIX 082221*
2. ↑ *SZA - I Hate U (Visializer) @ 3:00*