logo
SZA | Daniel Pierre | Source: Getty Images | Instagram/manhattan212
SZA | Daniel Pierre | Source: Getty Images | Instagram/manhattan212

SZA’s Siblings: Facts about the Singer’s Brother and Half-Sister

Akhona Zungu
Sep 19, 2023
09:15 A.M.

SZA opened up about her siblings earlier in her career and how they influenced and nurtured her musical inclinations. The first song the singer ever made was a collaboration with her brother, a former rapper turned visual artist.

Advertisement

SZA broke into the musical industry in the early 2010s, forever etching her name in this generation's rendition of R&B and Soul. Although pursuing music wasn't her "original plan," it was something that fell into place on its own.

The Muslim-raised singer grew up in a strict and conservative household, where her exposure to pop culture media was limited. Her father listened to Jazz by legendary musicians like Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and John Coltrane.

SZA attends the 27th Annual Webby Awards on May 15, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

SZA attends the 27th Annual Webby Awards on May 15, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Most genres outside of that were out of the question. However, occasionally, SZA had glimpses of hip-hop and R&B through friends and her siblings; she's one of three, born between an older sister, Panya Rowe, and a brother, Daniel "Manhattan" Pierre.

Advertisement

Sza's Siblings: Her Brother, Daniel Pierre, Is a Vector Impressionist

Pierre grew up on the Upper West Side of New York City. He attended the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts to hone his skills in vector illustration and interior realization but "departed from the institution early."

Advertisement

Still passionate about graphic design, he taught himself the necessary skills to make it his full-time profession and has since launched several successful clothing lines. He also owns Central Promises, an online shop where he sells his art.

Additionally, Pierre does commissions and promotes his work on his Instagram page. In his bio, he describes himself as a "Designer, Creative, interior realizer, vector impressionist. A Wave God. Also, I don't believe in the future."

Advertisement

Sza's Brother: Daniel Pierre's Musical Stint

Pierre's stage name as a rapper was Manhattan. It's unclear when his musical stint began and ended, but he once worked on a track titled "Where Do We Go From Here" and invited SZA to sing.

"I don't even know why he asked me to do that. 'What do I say?' Say whatever you feel," SZA recalled. After recording the song, she remembered listening to herself and thinking, "This doesn't sound so bad."

Advertisement

She admitted her only reference to singing at the time was Ella Fitzgerald, ODB, and a childhood neighbor. Listening to her and Pierre's song years later, she felt it was "horrendous." Still, it wasn't the only time Pierre asked her to sing.

The pair got creative, as Pierre would have SZA sing Notorious BIG lyrics over MF Doom beats. It seems they bonded over music, as they both struggled with their mental health. "I was depressed, and he was depressed, and I didn't have [expletive] else to do," SZA said.

Advertisement

SZA's Sister, Panya Rowe, Lived in a Different State

Rowe was born 11 years before SZA arrived. She's the artist's half-sister, born in SZA's father's previous relationship. She lived in California and would visit SZA in New Jersey. The "Good Days" songstress said she was obsessed with Rowe and longed to be close to her.

Rowe loved playing Tupac, Wu-Tang Clan, Lil Jon, and Cash Money music whenever she was around, which served as an emotional outlet for SZA. Unlike Daniel, however, Rowe seems to live a low-key life away from the spotlight.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts
Wiz Khalifa, Sebastian Taylor Thomaz, and Amber Rose | Source: Getty Images

'Boy Got His Dad Height': Wiz Khalifa's Son Sebastian Is Incredibly Tall at 13 — Photos Show the Teen Taking After His Dad

June 02, 2026

Taylor Swift | Source: Getty Images

Taylor Swift’s New Husband Travis Kelce Spotted at Chiefs Training Camp — And Netizens Can’t Agree on What They See — Photos

July 31, 2026

Angelina Jolie with her two children, Zahara and Maddox | Source: Getty Images

Angelina Jolie's Kids Zahara and Maddox Take a Major Step to Distance Themselves from Their Dad — Details

July 14, 2026

Jay-Z and Beyoncé | Source: Getty Images

Beyoncé and Jay-Z's Private Conversation at the World Cup Final Goes Viral — and a Lip Reader Caught Every Word

July 20, 2026

JD Vance | Source: Getty Images

JD Vance Welcomes Fourth Child with Usha — Inside the Personal Tragedy That Changed Her Mind About Growing Their Family — Photos

July 21, 2026

Wiz Khalifa and Aimee Aguilar | Source: Getty Images

Who Is Aimee Aguilar? 10 Facts About Wiz Khalifa's Beloved Partner That Might Surprise You

June 10, 2026

Rihanna | Source: Getty Images

Rihanna Spotted Solo Shopping in Beverly Hills While A$AP Rocky Tours — Photos

June 27, 2026

Jamie Foxx | Source: Getty Images

Jamie Foxx's Daughter Anelise Steals the Show at the 2026 BET Awards with Father-Daughter Performance and Her Striking Hair – Photos

June 29, 2026

Wiz Khalifa | Source: Getty Images

'I'm Not a Dancer': Wiz Khalifa Stopped His Performance After a Fan Did One Thing – Video

June 23, 2026

The cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond" | Source: Getty Images

'Everybody Loves Raymond's Madylin Sweeten Looks Completely Different Today — Photos

July 28, 2026

Vivienne Jolie-Pitt | Source: Getty Images

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's Daughter Vivienne Made a Bold Personal Decision the Day She Turned 18 – Details

July 22, 2026