Solange Knowles | |
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.jpg) Knowles in 2019 | |
| Born | Solange Piaget Knowles (1986-06-24)June 24, 1986 (age 39) |
| Other names | Solange Knowles-Smith |
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| Years active | 2001–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 1 |
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| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
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Musical artist | |
| Website | solangemusic |
Solange Piaget Knowles (/soʊˈlɑːnʒ/; born June 24, 1986) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She expressed an interest in music from an early age and had temporary stints as a backup dancer forDestiny's Child, which featured her older sisterBeyoncé among its members, before signing with their fatherMathew Knowles's label,Music World Entertainment. At 16, Knowles released her first studio albumSolo Star (2002). She also appeared in the filmsJohnson Family Vacation (2004), andBring It On: All or Nothing (2006).
In 2007, Knowles began to record music again. Heavily influenced byMotowngirl groups, her second studio albumSol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams (2008) deviated from the pop-oriented music of her debut to Motown-inspired sounds from the 1960s and 1970s. It peaked at number nine on theUSBillboard 200 and received positive reviews from critics. She followed this up with the1980s pop andR&B-inspired extended playTrue (2012) onTerrible Records and her imprintSaint Records. Her third studio album,A Seat at the Table (2016) was released to widespread critical acclaim and became her first number-one album in the United States. The album's lead single, "Cranes in the Sky" won the Grammy forBest R&B Performance. Her fourth studio album,When I Get Home, was released in March 2019 to further critical acclaim.
Knowles says that her first passion is songwriting. Frequently compared by the media to her sister Beyoncé, Knowles has claimed that they have different aspirations and are musically different. She has been ranked byBillboard as the 100th most successful dance artist of all time.[1] In 2017, she was honored with the "Impact Award" at theBillboard Women in Music event.[2] Her other ventures include an endorsement deal withRimmel London and a line of hip-hop-oriented merchandise for young children. Knowles has also ventured into performance art, working in several international museums and exhibitions, such as theElbphilharmonie, theVenice Art Biennale and theSolomon R. Guggenheim Museum. In 2022, she became the third woman and first African American to compose a score for theNew York City Ballet.
Solange Piaget Knowles was born on June 24, 1986, inHouston,Texas toTina andMathew Knowles.[3][4] Her older sister is singerBeyoncé Knowles. Her father, originally fromAlabama, isAfrican American, and her mother, originally from Texas, is a mixed-race Black American ofLouisiana Creole heritage.[5][6][7][8][9][10] Her maternal grandparents are Lumis Beyincé andAgnéz Deréon, aseamstress. She is also a descendant ofAcadian leaderJoseph Broussard.[11] Knowles was raisedCatholic until the age of four, when her family became members of aMethodist church.[12][13][14] As a child, she studied dance and theater. At age five, she made her singing debut atSix Flags AstroWorld, a theme park in Houston. She began writing songs at the age of nine.[15] At 13, she decided to pursue recording, but her parents initially advised her to wait. DuringDestiny's Child's opening stint forChristina Aguilera's 2000 tour, Knowles temporarily replaced memberKelly Rowland after she broke her toes backstage during a costume change.[16] At 15, Knowles replaced a departed dancer and performed with the group on tour.[17]
Managed by her father Mathew, Knowles first ventured into the music business in 2001 as the lead singer, backed by Destiny's Child, on the title theme song for the animated television seriesThe Proud Family.[18][19] She also was a featured performer on "Hey Goldmember" for the soundtrack to the 2002 filmAustin Powers in Goldmember,[18] as well as a backup singer on the track "Little Drummer Boy" on Destiny's Child's 2001 holiday album8 Days of Christmas.[20] In 2002, she was featured onLil' Romeo's second studio albumGame Time, singing portions ofLuther Vandross-penned "So Amazing" on the single "True Love", and on Kelly Rowland's debut solo albumSimply Deep, for which she also wrote the tracks "Simply Deep", "Beyond Imagination" and "Obsession". In 2001 she appeared asLil' Bow Wow's date in the music video for his single "Puppy Love".[21] She also made an appearance onThe Master of Disguise soundtrack and made cameos inPlay's video for "M.A.S.T.E.R. (Part II)" featuringLil' Fizz.
In 2002, she lent her voice to the character Chanel, the cousin of the protagonistPenny Proud, in an episode of the animated television seriesThe Proud Family.[22] In June 2003, Mathew Knowles excitedly announced that he was considering adding Knowles to Destiny's Child when the group reunited in 2004, thus turning them into a quartet for the first time since short-lived memberFarrah Franklin left in 2000. Mathew Knowles said he was testing the reactions, and, judging by what he had heard, "it seems like a good idea".[23] Later in August, however, Beyoncé said it was only a rumor and Destiny's Child would remain a trio. Rowland added, "She's a solo star",name-dropping Knowles's debut album.[24]
At age 14, Knowles started working on her debut albumSolo Star,[25] which involved American producers such asJermaine Dupri,the Neptunes,Linda Perry andTimbaland among others. She then recorded the album under her father'sMusic World Entertainment label withColumbia Records.[26] The album is primarily uptempoR&B, although Knowles said there arepop,rock,reggae andhip hop influences.[18][20] Knowles co-wrote and co-produced some of the 15 tracks in the album,[27] including its lead single, "Feelin' You (Part II)". The song failed to enter theBillboard Hot 100, but reached number three on both theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales andHot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.[28][29]Solo Star was released on January 21, 2003, in the United States, where it debuted at number 49 on theBillboard 200 and reached number 23 on theTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[30][31]Solo Star had a mixed critical reception: William Ruhlmann ofAllMusic called it a "state-of-the-art contemporary R&B album", but deemed Knowles "lost somewhere in the mix".[32] By mid-2008, the album had sold 112,000 copies domestically according toNielsen SoundScan.[31]
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After the release of her debut album, Knowles began acting in films, followed by a career break to start a family.[33] In 2004, she guest-starred in an episode titled "The Catch" on the sitcomOne on One. Knowles appeared as a teenager in the 2004comedy filmJohnson Family Vacation, starring alongside American actorsCedric the Entertainer,Vanessa Williams and Bow Wow.[24] She provided a song, "Freedom", a collaboration with the Houston-basedfunk-jazz bandDrop Trio, for its soundtrack. Although the reviews were generally negative, Knowles earned praise fromVariety, which opined that she "is nearly as dazzling as big sister Beyoncé and does little more than smile winningly in her first bigscreen outing".[34]In 2006, she starred as a cheerleading captain in the filmBring It On: All or Nothing, the third installment of theBring It On series, alongside American actress and singerHayden Panettiere. What little critical reaction the low-budget,direct-to-DVD movie got was negative,[35] and Knowles was described as an "affordable young starlet".[36] Knowles uses her full name for acting, rather than just the first name she uses when singing; forBring It On: All or Nothing, she was billed as Solange Knowles-Smith,[37] reflecting her married state at the time.
While she was married, her family moved toIdaho, and while staying there, she resumed writing songs including the singles "Get Me Bodied" and "Upgrade U" from her sister's second solo album,B'Day.[33][38] Knowles earned the R&B and Hip-Hop Song accolade for "Get Me Bodied" at the 2008ASCAP Awards.[39] During this time, she had also written songs for Destiny's Child, and members Kelly Rowland andMichelle Williams.[40] In 2004, while pregnant with her son, she made acameo appearance in Destiny's Child's music video for "Soldier".[41]
After her divorce, Knowles returned to Houston to begin working on her second album. In 2007, Knowles renewed her management, signing a record deal withGeffen and a publishing deal withEMI.[42][43] Knowles finished working on her second studio album in 2008 and titled the projectSol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams. It includes production byCeeLo Green,Soulshock & Karlin andMark Ronson as well as an appearance byBilal. A collection of1960s and1970s influenced songs,[44] it is seen as a departure from her pop-oriented debut,[45][46] with whatBillboard called "more of a modern twist on hip-hop and R&B flecked with tinges ofblues andjazz".[31] The album was released on August 26, 2008, in the United States. By December 2008, the album had sold over 114,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan.[47] The album was positively received by critics,[48] with Ian Griffin ofThe Guardian considering it far better than her debut.[49] The album's lead single, "I Decided", was released in April 2008, and reached the top of theBillboardHot Dance Club Play chart;[47]Rolling Stone labelled it her breakthrough single.[50] In support of the album, Knowles began the Solange Presents Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams Tour in Britain in November 2008.[51]
Knowles announced via her blog that she would be releasing a series ofmixtapes to coincide with the album. The first mixtape,I Can't Get Clearance..., includes the leaked track "Fuck the Industry (Signed Sincerely)". On this record, Knowles expressed her views on the current state of the music industry. The lyrics to the song name check some major artists such asMary J. Blige,Ashanti,Keyshia Cole, and Beyoncé, although she made a point of stating that it does not have "a negative light to any of [them]".[52] The mixtape was never released, but Knowles released "Fuck the Industry (Signed Sincerely)" as a single in 2010.
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In an interview withMTV in 2009, Knowles revealed that she was determining the type of sound for the follow-up toSol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams.[53] During this time, Knowles also parted ways with theInterscope-Geffen-A&M record label group. She would now release her third studio album independently.[54] Early in 2010, Knowles traveled to Australia to work with Australian rock bandMidnight Juggernauts on her third studio album.[55] Knowles had planned to release the album in summer as revealed on her officialTwitter account in 2009.[56] She also confirmed on Twitter that she rented a house inSanta Barbara, California to get into a certain state of mind while writing and making music.[57] On May 7, 2010, Knowles made a guest appearance on the popular children's show,Yo Gabba Gabba! for a "Mothers Day Special" where she performed an original song called "Momma Loves Baby".[58][59][60]
In an interview withVibe on July 7, 2010, Knowles said she suffered "a little bit of abreakdown" while recording her new album: "I literally gave up my sanity for a while to do this record. [...] We literally were waking up in the morning and just making music all day and all night. [...] It just started to wear on me in so many different ways. I started having these crazypanic attacks." Knowles explained how she made sacrifices "mentally, emotionally and financially", and continued, "It's more than an album to me. It's a transitional time in my life." Regarding the musical direction of the album, she said the inspiration came fromnew wave and stated, "This is adance record, but the lyrics can get pretty dark at times."[61]
In September 2012, Knowles released a teaser video for "Losing You", which was announced as the lead single from the EPTrue. This release marked Knowles's first release as a signee of the independent labelTerrible Records.[62] The video was shot inCape Town, South Africa in early September 2012. Knowles revealed in an interview that her mother Tina had paid for Knowles and her friends to fly out and record the video as her birthday gift. On October 24, 2012, Knowles held a listening party in New York City for her EPTrue, released for digital download oniTunes on November 27, 2012.[63] The CD and vinyl was made available on January 8, 2013. Following the EP's release, Knowles appeared on the cover ofThe Fader magazine's 84th issue.[64]
On May 14, 2013, Knowles announced that she had launched her own record label named Saint Records, which she would be using to release her third full-length album and future music projects distributed throughSony.[65] Saint Records was established to focus on not-yet mainstream hip-hop and R&B artists. She also collaborated withthe Lonely Island on the song "Semicolon", which was showcased as part ofYouTube's Comedy Week and is featured on the group's album,The Wack Album.[66] On November 11, 2013, Knowles's record label released its firstcompilation album,Saint Heron.[67]
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On May 15, 2015, Knowles performed "Rise" for the first time at anHBO-sponsored event, which was inspired bypolice killings of Michael Brown andFreddie Gray, and the subsequentprotests in Ferguson andBaltimore.[68] In July 2015, Knowles announced that her third studio album was nearly complete. On her thirtieth birthday, June 24, 2016, she stated that she had completedA Seat at the Table three days before her birthday, on June 21.[69] The album was released on September 30, 2016, to universal critical acclaim.[70][71] It became her first number-one album in the United States.[72] This made her and Beyoncé the first sisters to have both had US number-one albums in a calendar year.[73] On October 3, 2016, Knowles released music videos for the songs "Don't Touch My Hair" and "Cranes in the Sky", both co-directed by herself andAlan Ferguson.[74]
In June 2017, Knowles performed at theGlastonbury Festival; her performance earned a perfect five-star review from Patrick Smith ofThe Daily Telegraph, who deemed her "an artist to be cherished" and the performance itself "fantastic theatre".[75] In December 2017, Knowles directed the video for the song "The Weekend" bySZA.[76] In 2019, Knowles performed at theBonnaroo Music Festival, theParklife festival, theLovebox Festival, and theCamp Flog Gnaw Carnival.[77][78][79] On March 1, she released her fourth studio album,When I Get Home.[80] She previously teased the album by posting two video snippets on her Instagram and Twitter as well as a personal web page on the African-American social networking siteBlackPlanet.[81] Stereo Williams ofThe Daily Beast deemed the album a confirmation that Knowles "is one of the most talented singer-songwriters of her generation".[82]
On her debut album, Knowles had no control over which kinds of music to produce, stating that "when you're 14, everyone else is older and more seasoned and you trust their decisions".[25] She was more concerned with pleasing her record label by submitting to their desires.[43]
Her musical influences were better expressed onSol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, when she considered herself mature and was able to write and produce songs as she wished, without worrying about the expectations of others.[25] Knowles's lyrics tackle relationships, world issues, and deceased friends,[43][85] with her second album focusing on events in her life, such as marriage, divorce, and parenthood.[43] The album touched upon a variety of genres includingpop-soul,[86]psychedelic soul,[87]electronica,[88] and R&B.[89]
Knowles's debut extended playTrue is a new wave album with Knowles stating, "This is a dance record, but the lyrics can get pretty dark at times".[61] Knowles described the EP as "eclectic with1980s references andAfrican percussion influences". Sonically the extended play is influenced by the keyboard sounds and beats of early 1980s pop and R&B music.[90] The EP was recorded in five cities including Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Houston, New York, and on the GermanAutobahn.[91] Her 2016 album,A Seat at The Table, discusses themes such as "black womanhood", "Southern culture and glory", and "what it means to be free and not free all at once".[92]
Outside her work of being a singer-songwriter, Knowles has also ventured into performance art. In an interview withSurface magazine, she said "I'm not at all interested in entertainment. I'm really interested in energy exchange between the viewer and the performer. One way to do that is to make an inclusive experience through style, through energy, through space."[93] She has put on subsequent performance art pieces throughout the world, includingWitness! at theElbphilharmonie,Metatronia (Metatron's Cube) at theHammer Museum andBridge-s at theGetty Museum.[94][95][96] In November 2019, Knowles directed and composed the art and music performanceIn Past Pupils and Smiles at theVenice Art Biennale.[97][98] In August 2022, theNew York City Ballet announced that Knowles would compose a score for the Fall Fashion Gala the following September, becoming the third woman and first African American to serve in that role for the company.[99]
Knowles is often compared to her sister, Beyoncé, whom she considers one of her role models. She has expressed her opinion of the comparison in the lyrics to "God Given Name": "I'm not her and never will be"[25][100] – which was purposely set as the opening track ofSol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams to show their differences.[101] In his review for the album, Jody Rosen ofRolling Stone magazine referred to the lyrics as a declaration of independence.[102] Beyoncé was unwilling to bring her sister into the recording industry, reasoning that it "involves a lot of pressure". Knowles countered by saying, "It's good to have her advice, but we really have different goals".[25] In her self-titled album, Beyoncé credits Knowles with the lyric "my sister told me I should speak my mind", as she acknowledges the impact her family has made on her life.[103]
Knowles has been described as a fashion icon.[104][105] Her knack for bold colors, mixed prints, andretro styles, as well as her knack for glamorous, fashion-forward looks in her music videography and public appearances, has become integral to her current image. She has been photographed wearingAlexander Wang,Alexander McQueen, andChanel. The music video for her 2012 single "Losing You" featured a heavy demonstration of the contemporary sartorial movement throughout Africa,La Sape.
Similarly, her decision to grow hernatural hair initially generated strong reactions from the public. In a cover interview withToyin Ojih Odutola forCultured Magazine, Knowles addressed her shift to minimalist fashion and the response she received from the public, "This idea that black women could not be minimalist, we could not be subtle— we have to be big, we have to be loud, we have to be an explosive presence."[106]
At the 2017 Glamour Women of the Year awards, Knowles wore a yellowJean-Paul Gaultier couture gown, with a blonde afro, and was named a Woman of the Year.[107]
Knowles is an activist for theBlack Lives Matter movement.[108] After theCharleston church shooting in June 2015, Knowles released a statement posing the following questions: "Where can we be safe? Where can we be free? Where can we be black?"[109] In July 2016, she marched inBaton Rouge, Louisiana in protest of theshooting of Alton Sterling; she also criticized police presence during the march.[110]
In 2007, Knowles began promoting Baby Jamz, ahip hop-styled toy line for pre-schoolers.[38][111] It was inspired by her son, who is fond of hip hop music.[43] She is the executive producer of the CD, composed of updated hip hop inspired nursery rhymes, which is featured in all of the toys.[38]
In 2008, Knowles was named as ambassador forGiorgio Armani's younger diffusion line, Armani Jeans. Armani said Knowles epitomizes the style, which is a "vision of a young, independent, casual lifestyle with a strong and cool, fashion sensibility".[112]
In 2009, Knowles was featured inOcean Pacific's "Summer of Music" and "OPen Campus" ad campaigns.[113][114]
In 2010, Knowles worked on the award-winning children's television seriesYo Gabba Gabba!. She performed an original song "Momma Loves Baby" in the special episode titled "Baby".[115] She also sang "Momma Loves Baby" live when the show toured theDallas–Fort Worth area.
In 2011, Knowles, Alejandra Ramos Munoz andZooey Deschanel were announced as the new faces ofRimmel London.[116] At the time, Knowles was also the face ofCarol's Daughter. She stepped down from this position in 2012, amid criticism of her natural hair.[117]
In 2013, Knowles was named art director and creative consultant atPuma. In this role, she curated four women's shoe collections: "Girls of Blaze" (2014), "Wild Wonder" (2014), "Behind the Baazar" (2014) and "Word to the Woman" (2015).[118][119][120]
In 2017, Knowles became the face of aCalvin Klein campaign.[121]
In 2018, Knowles received the Artist of the Year award from the Harvard Foundation.[122] She became the face ofMercedes-Benz's campaign#WEWONDER[123] andHelmut Lang's fashion campaign.[124] She also began a collaboration for interior design withIKEA.[125]
In 2020, Knowles was the recipient of the inaugural Lena Horne Prize.[126]
In 2022, Knowles was the star of LOUIS XIII's "Believe in Time" campaign.[127] She was also honored with the 2022 NYU Global Trailblazer Award.[128]
In 2023, Knowles designed a glassware collection, in collaboration withglassblower Jason McDonald.[129]
In 2024, Knowles appeared alongside her mother in aGucci Gift campaign.[130]
In 2025, Knowles remixedMariah Carey's 2006 song "Say Somethin'" forThe Emancipation of Mimi's 20th anniversary reissue.[131]
Knowles and sister Beyoncé modeled for their family's clothing line,House of Deréon, named after their grandmother, Agnéz Deréon. She also helped launch Deréon, a junior apparel collection and sister line to House of Deréon.[132] Both sisters modeled for Deréon, and were featured in most of Deréon's marketing campaigns. Together they were featured in a "Got Milk?" campaign ad, wearing House of Deréon.
In 2013, Knowles launched the digital platform Saint Heron as a music and cultural hub to amplify Black artistry.[133] In May 2021, Saint Heron expanded into an institution that includes a studio, creative agency, library, and art gallery.[134][135]
In October 2025, Knowles began a three-year position at theUniversity of Southern California as a scholar in residence for theThornton School of Music.[136] In the position, she will work on developing a program in music curation and teach the course "Records of Discovery: Methodologies for Music and Cultural Curatorial Practices".[133]
Knowles married Daniel Smith inthe Bahamas in February 2004, when she was 17 and he was 19.[137] On October 18, 2004, Knowles gave birth to a son.[138] After their son's birth, the family moved toMoscow, Idaho, where Knowles's husband continued studying in college.[46] The two divorced in 2007, after which Knowles split her time between her residences in Los Angeles and Houston, Texas.[139] She and her son relocated toBrooklyn in 2011,[140] and toNew Orleans, Louisiana in 2013.[141]
Knowles married music video directorAlan Ferguson at theMarigny Opera House in New Orleans on November 16, 2014.[142] The couple separated in 2019.[143]
That year, Knowles began datingexperimental jazz artist Gio Escobar from the bandStanding on the Corner,[144] with whom she had previously collaborated on her studio albumWhen I Get Home. Knowles publicly acknowledged the relationship onInstagram in November 2020.[145]
On May 12, 2014,TMZ released security video footage of Knowles appearing to physically attack her brother-in-lawJay-Z and being restrained by a security guard in an elevator atThe Standard, High Line inManhattan.[146][147] The video went viral, receiving media attention from news organizations and gossip columnists, with many wondering what led to the confrontation.[148][149] The moment was mentioned in monologues onLate-night talk shows such asThe Daily Show with Jon Stewart,Jimmy Kimmel Live! andThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[150] The matter was spoofed on television shows includingSaturday Night Live andFamily Guy.[151][152] Knowles, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé called the occurrence an "unfortunate incident" and stated that the family "has worked through it".[153] Knowles later clarified that she and her family were "all good".[154]
Headlining
Supporting
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Johnson Family Vacation | Nikki Johnson | |
| 2006 | Bring It On: All or Nothing | Camille | Credited as Solange Knowles-Smith |
| 2019 | Homecoming | Herself | Cameo |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Intimate Portrait | Herself | 1 episode |
| 2002 | The Proud Family | Chanel | |
| Taina | Rachel | ||
| Taff | Herself | 2 episodes | |
| 2003 | Soul Train | 1 episode | |
| The 30th Annual American Music Awards | Award show | ||
| The Today Show | 1 episode | ||
| The Brothers Garcia | |||
| 2004 | One on One | Charlotte | |
| 2005 | Listen Up | Erika | |
| 2008 | Ghost Whisperer | Singer | |
| Lincoln Heights | Herself | ||
| 2010 | Yo Gabba Gabba! | ||
| 2018 | Random Acts of Flyness |
At the59th Annual Grammy Awards (2017), Knowles won her firstGrammy Award, forBest R&B Performance for her song "Cranes in the Sky", the lead and only single from her third album,A Seat at the Table (2016), which was Knowles's first Grammy Award nomination. In 2017, she also won aGlamour Award for Woman of the Year, and became the first winner of theBillboard Women in Music Impact Award. Knowles has won several other awards including aBET Award, aSoul Train Music Award, and aWebby Award.
beyonce native american african french l'oreal.
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