When people search for “Scott Sasso SZA,” they’re usually looking for answers about one of music’s most intriguing relationships. The connection between streetwear pioneer Scott Sasso and Grammy-nominated artist SZA spans over a decade of love, business, and creative inspiration.
But who exactly is Scott Sasso? And how did his relationship with SZA shape both their careers?
Who is Scott Sasso? The Man Behind 10.Deep
Scott Sasso isn’t just known as “SZA’s ex-fiancé.” Long before his name became linked with the R&B star, he was already making waves in the streetwear world.
Back in 1995, while most college students were worried about exams, Sasso was sketching brand ideas in his Vassar College dorm room. That’s where 10.Deep was born – literally from a doodle on notebook paper that he stuck on his wall.
The timing couldn’t have been better. New York’s hip-hop scene was exploding, skateboard culture was going mainstream, and young people wanted clothes that reflected their lifestyle. Sasso saw this gap and filled it perfectly.
What started as a college side project quickly became something much bigger. Sasso wasn’t trying to create just another clothing brand. He wanted 10.Deep to represent authentic youth culture – the real deal, not some corporate interpretation.
Building a Streetwear Empire: Scott Sasso’s Business Journey
The growth of 10.Deep under Scott Sasso’s leadership was nothing short of remarkable. By the early 2000s, you could find 10.Deep gear in over 300 retail stores worldwide.
But Sasso’s genius wasn’t just in design – it was in understanding culture. He knew that streetwear and music went hand in hand. So he did something revolutionary: he started releasing mixtapes featuring up-and-coming artists.
Names like Kid Cudi and Wale got early exposure through 10.Deep’s music platform. This wasn’t just smart marketing; it was cultural curation. Sasso was essentially predicting who would be the next big thing in hip-hop and R&B.
The strategy worked brilliantly. 10.Deep became more than a clothing brand – it became a lifestyle. When you wore 10.Deep, you were part of a community that understood real street culture.
The Scott Sasso SZA Connection: A Love Story in the Spotlight
Here’s where the Scott Sasso SZA story gets personal. Around 2008, when SZA (born Solána Rowe) was fresh out of high school, she met the already-successful fashion entrepreneur.
Their relationship wasn’t your typical celebrity romance. It was private, serious, and lasted 11 years – with five of those years spent engaged. That’s longer than many Hollywood marriages.
The age difference was significant. Sasso was eight years older than SZA, already established in his career while she was just figuring out her path. This dynamic would later become a major theme in SZA’s music.
During their relationship, Sasso provided financial support for SZA. He covered her living expenses, food, and clothing while she was finding her artistic voice. Some might see this as romantic; others might view it as creating dependency.
How Scott Sasso Influenced SZA’s Musical Career
Here’s something most people don’t know: SZA initially started making music to prove something to Scott Sasso. In her own words, she felt “codependent” and wanted to establish her own identity.
This motivation – proving her independence to her fiancé – became the driving force behind her early musical efforts. It’s a classic story of using personal challenges as creative fuel.
The emotional complexity of their relationship gave SZA endless material for her songwriting. Songs like “Nobody Gets Me” are believed to be directly inspired by her time with Sasso. The track explores themes of deep connection, understanding, and the fear of never finding that bond again.
Their relationship wasn’t just romantic – it was creatively symbiotic. While Sasso was building his fashion empire, SZA was developing her artistic voice, often using their relationship dynamics as inspiration.
The End of an Era: Scott Sasso SZA Breakup and Its Aftermath
All good things must come to an end, and the Scott Sasso SZA relationship concluded around 2017-2018. The exact reasons remain private, but SZA has dropped hints during live performances.
During a 2023 concert in London, SZA made some pointed comments about an ex who cheated on her in that city. Fans immediately connected the dots, assuming she was referring to Sasso.
The breakup timing coincided with SZA’s rising fame. Her debut album “Ctrl” became a critical and commercial success, exploring themes of love, loss, and self-discovery that many believe were influenced by her relationship with Sasso.
The end of their engagement marked a turning point for both. SZA channeled her emotions into music that resonated with millions. Meanwhile, Sasso was dealing with his own professional challenges.
Scott Sasso’s Business Challenges and 10.Deep’s Decline
While his personal life was changing, Scott Sasso’s business world was also shifting dramatically. The streetwear industry was evolving, and 10.Deep was struggling to keep up.
In December 2023, Sasso made a shocking announcement on social media. He revealed that he had “severed all ties” with 10.Deep, the brand he had built from nothing.
The reason? He’d lost control to investors. In a series of tweets, Sasso explained how “big bank takes little bank,” hinting at a larger pattern in the streetwear industry.
He wasn’t alone in this struggle. Sasso mentioned other brands like MeccaUSA, AlphaNumeric, and PNB Nation that had similar fates. All had partnerships with the same investment company, and all ended up losing their founders.
The brand’s Instagram went silent. The website stopped functioning. Just like that, nearly three decades of Scott Sasso’s work was essentially erased.
Life After SZA: Scott Sasso’s Current Endeavors
These days, Scott Sasso keeps a much lower profile. His Instagram bio reads “Former @10Deep president/founder” and mentions being “off the social media wave going on 5+ years.”
This digital detox is intentional. After years in the spotlight – both for his business success and his relationship with SZA – Sasso seems to prefer privacy.
There have been rumors about his personal life, including speculation about a marriage to someone named Christine Turner. However, these reports remain unconfirmed, and Sasso hasn’t publicly addressed them.
What’s clear is that he’s moved on from both his high-profile relationship and his streetwear empire. Whether he’s planning a comeback or enjoying retirement from the fashion world remains to be seen.
The Legacy of Scott Sasso and SZA’s Relationship
The Scott Sasso SZA story represents more than just celebrity gossip. It’s a case study in how personal relationships can influence creative output and business decisions.
For SZA, her relationship with Sasso provided both emotional support and artistic inspiration. The complexity of their dynamic – the age gap, financial dependency, and eventual breakup – gave her rich material for songwriting.
For Sasso, the relationship coincided with both the peak and decline of his business empire. Whether these events are connected is unclear, but the timing is notable.
Their story continues to fascinate fans and industry observers. It shows how the worlds of fashion and music intersect, how personal relationships can drive professional success, and how even the most private celebrities can’t completely escape public scrutiny.
Today, both Scott Sasso and SZA have moved on to new chapters. But their decade-long relationship remains a significant part of both their stories – and a reminder that behind every great artist, there’s often a complex personal history that shapes their work.
