Punch Defends SZA’s Writing Skills And Explains How Producers Get Credit

Amber Corrine
·3 min read
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Terrence “Punch” Henderson, President of Top Dawg Entertainment, felt compelled to defend SZA over songwriting claims. Punch not only backed the SOS record-breaker for writing “Snooze,” but also explained how producers get composition credits.

“Lol. Y’all gotta chill,” Punch tweeted out to critics saying that SZA had assistance on the smash hit. “SZA wrote every word. Leon made the beat with Babyface and a couple others.

The debate sparked after a video surfaced with songwriter/producer Leon Thomas III performing an acoustic version of the tune. Social media began buzzing with the idea that Thomas possibly wrote the song. However, Punch declared that he wouldn’t let people “try to rewrite history.”

As someone called out a solution to figuring out who wrote “Snooze,” Punch revealed that he is the one who approves who gets listed as a credit. He also spoke on how a producer’s name gets listed on a song.

Punch responded to a user that tweeted, “Man just look at the credits on the song and end this sh*t already let them both shine from this, it really shouldn’t be that deep. Cause if you think about it, Lucky Daye been on A LOT of people’s projects without anyone’s knowledge!”

The label exec replied, “What? I approved the credits lol. A producer is listed as a writer because they write the MUSIC. SZA wrote the words to the song. It’s important that that is known.”

In another X post, Punch continued, “Just so we’re clear. A producer gets writing credits on a song if they compose the music(it’s variation but we’ll keep it basic). Sometimes a producer helps write the words and/or melody etc… in the case of snooze SZA wrote the words and melody. Leon made the beat.”

SZA thanked Punch for having her back, when he didn’t have to. “u didn’t have to do that . Thank u,” she said, to which he replied, “Certain things ppl can’t play with. You’re one of the most important writers in music. They’ll try to rewrite(pun intended lol) history. I’m not having it.”

Leon Thomas III also chimed in with, “I’ve been saying this in interviews for literally months. I’m glad this tweet is getting the love it deserves. @sza has the best pen in the game.”

Comparing SZA’s discredit to writer Phyllis Wheatley’s during slavery, he ended his sentiments with, “It’s starting to feel like y’all are locked in on discrediting black women and the phenomenal things they do… nah y’all wouldn’t do that, right?” He added, “Could this be A Phyllis Wheatley Moment (Look it up if you’re not familiar)?”

For context purposes, Wheatley was a slave who ultimately became famous for her poetry, published in the 17th century. However, many doubted that a slave could produce such intellectual work, due to the belief that Africans and African-Americans were not capable of reading or writing.

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