I Hate U

## Audio

"**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.

Upon release, "I Hate U" entered at number seven on the US *Billboard* Hot 100, becoming SZA's fifth top-10 entry, while also peaking at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was also a top-40 entry in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The song was certified platnium by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), and double platinum by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)

## 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" 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". 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!  She also deemed the SoundCloud release an "experiment".

## Theme

On "I Hate U", it finds SZA detailing what went wrong in a past relationship, expressing resentment towards an ex-partner but acknowledging that she still misses them.

## Composition and reception

"I Hate U" has a lo-fi production. *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".

## Commercial performance

Following its single release, "I Hate U" debuted at number one on the US 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 opened and peaked 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.

In late–March 2022, "I Hate U" reached number one on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, marking SZA's first chart topper. It also made her the first lead female act 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. On other *Billboard* airplay charts, the song peaked at number 33 on Mainstream Top 40 and number 15 on the all-genre Radio Songs. On February 6, 2023, it was certified double platnium by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Elsewhere, "I Hate U" debuted on the charts of several countries, peaking within the top 40 of New Zealand (8), South Africa (8), Canada (14), Ireland (27), and further reaching Portugal (49) and Lithuania (63). It entered and peaked at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart and received a silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). In Australia, the song reached number 16 on the ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart and was certified platnium by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). "I Hate U" debuted and peaked at number 11 on the *Billboard* Global 200.

## 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

## Personnel

* 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