That was his second album in one year and universally seen was weak…like first week numbers ain’t all there is to stardom (plus SZA had three old ass songs adding to the tally). Alicia Keys puts up bricks and is still a super star, SZA did close to or more than Bey’s album (20 yrs in the game) and SZA is not on the same plane as Beyoncé who is an actual superstar
Beyonce is “above” and beyond superstar. She’s an icon. Beyonce can’t be compared to anybody who came after her. That would be like comparing Michael Jackson to Confessions era Usher.
The point is that a superstar in today’s climate puts up big numbers and goes on big tours. SZA is doing both. As previously stated she accomplished (with an R&B album no less) what the two BIGGEST names in popular music couldn’t do (and lowkey her much bigger and more acclaimed label-mate couldn’t either) with a FIVE WEEK stretch in the top spot on billboard, and she’s about to embark on an Arena tour across the country.
You gotta give credit where its due. I’m not even a big SZA fan, I just like her music videos. But the girl is a superstar, currently THE biggest in R&B.