Jenna Fain

Professor Gonzalez
ENC 1102
2 February 2024
Research Proposal
I. Project Title: SZA v. Drake : The Influence of Artists Throwing Shade at Each other on
Fans
II. Research Question(s):
What ways can the constant shade between the Artists influence fans opinions.
What different ways have the artists thrown shade at each other.
How can this drama between artists resonate with fans personal lives.

III. Statement of Significance (1-2 Paragraphs):

The constant beef between music artists, SZA and Drake, is important as it influences the
public, more specifically music listeners. Both are extremely well-known artists and have a large
number of fans. The interactions between the two are very investigated. Many other artists also
have beef that fans look deeply into. This drama however, is extremely publicized which is
bound to have a greater influence.
Other researchers should care about this because with how widespread these artists are,
their messages reach a great amount of the public. The music one listens to can influence how
they act greatly. Those who truly listen to songs and take in the message will change. By looking
into this, I believe that I can help to uncover the way that artists can influence the public through
their interactions with each other.
IV. Research design/description of study:
I will conduct research through interviewing my roommates and friends that listen to both
of these artists. If they only listen to one or the other, I will still interview. I will ask if they know
about the drama as well as how it makes them feel. I can also look into secondary sources for
information like other people online in comment sections that pertain specifically to SZA and
Drake. I can also look at statistics and more. I can organize this in my research as well. I will
look at various different examples which might be songs, comments, posts, or even in person
interactions between SZA and Drake as well as comments, posts, and more from their fans. I will
also look at Scholarly Academic Articles that talk about the influence of artists on fans.
V. Include a minimum of 4 sources in your proposal. (I am not asking for a summary or
annotated bibliography right now.)
A. Citations must be in MLA format
 Various songs from sza and drake
 Normal Girl – SZA Controlla – Drake
  Seek and Destroy – SZA Search and Rescue – Drake
 2AM – SZA Come and See Me – Drake
 Slime you Out – Drake ft. SZA
 SZA and Drake Dated in 2009
 Speeches and Interviews

 Brown, K. (2018, April 6). How does music connect the artist and fans? -
scholarworks.bgsu.edu. Ray Browne Conference on Cultural and Critical Studies.
https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1187&context=rbc

B. Include Powerpoint Link

Research Proposal ENC 1102.pptx

Notes: Publicly arguing

Diss tracks
Use connected research not specific
How does this effect the audience w rhetoric
Response and reaction

May possibly make this more general and use Nicki Minaj and Megan the Stallion as an

example of a more aggressive approach. DISS TRACKS BETWEEN MEGAN AND NICKI

Crazy nicki fans

Justification of actions

Nicki coming for megans personal stuff

Megans silence

Dead mom and fans coming for her grave

Morals and connection

Reaction to the diss tracks

Indirect and direct shots

Barbz

Switching sides

Nickis crazy 72 hour rampage

Ex friendship

Cardi b

Use statistics

Comments

Livestream on both sides