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It's not often that the sole sibling of a superstar can evolve into a unique individual whose identity and image is distinctively her own.
But, everyone can't be Solange Knowles.
The sassy singer recently sat down with BlackVoices.com for a candid discussion about everything from leaving music for her son, why Prince will always be her favorite and how the media world has things twisted.
Earlier this year, Solange (as she is mostly known) released her sophomore album 'Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams' to little fan-fare but she isn't stressing the Nielsen Soundscan numbers one bit.
Snoop Dogg laid down a verse on her single 'I Decided,' and the tune can currently be heard in the new L'Oréal hair care commercial, in which she stars alongside her sister Beyoncé.
Of the album's first week sales, she says she "was really excited about it. I sold 45,000 [copies], which I felt was an accomplishment. Katy Perry had a number one song for six or seven weeks and we sold the same thing the first week."
Solange Pictures
Solange Knowles and Monica Cruz attends the MANGO flagship store celebration dinner at Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel on November 20, 2008 in New York City..Celebrities Help MANGO Celebrate The Relaunch of Its Soho Flagship - Dinner.Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel.New York, NY United States.November 20, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (56231768), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Solange Knowles and Monica Cruz attend the MANGO flagship store celebration dinner at Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel on November 20, 2008 in New York City..Celebrities Help MANGO Celebrate The Relaunch of Its Soho Flagship - Dinner.Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel.New York, NY United States.November 20, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (56231743), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Singer Solange Knowles attends the MANGO flagship store celebration dinner at Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel on November 20, 2008 in New York City..Celebrities Help MANGO Celebrate The Relaunch of Its Soho Flagship - Dinner.Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel.New York, NY United States.November 20, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (56231642), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Singer Solange Knowles performs attends the MANGO flagship store celebration dinner at Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel on November 20, 2008 in New York City..Celebrities Help MANGO Celebrate The Relaunch of Its Soho Flagship - Dinner.Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel.New York, NY United States.November 20, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (56231637), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Singer Solange Knowles performs attends the MANGO flagship store celebration dinner at Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel on November 20, 2008 in New York City..Celebrities Help MANGO Celebrate The Relaunch of Its Soho Flagship - Dinner.Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel.New York, NY United States.November 20, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (56231627), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Solange Knowles performs as designer Marc Jacobs dances at the MANGO flagship store celebration dinner at Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel on November 20, 2008 in New York City..Celebrities Help MANGO Celebrate The Relaunch of Its Soho Flagship - Dinner.Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel.New York, NY United States.November 20, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (56231621), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Solange Knowles and Monica Cruz attend the MANGO flagship store celebration dinner at Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel on November 20, 2008 in New York City..Celebrities Help MANGO Celebrate The Relaunch of Its Soho Flagship - Dinner.Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel.New York, NY United States.November 20, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (56231603), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Solange Knowles attends the MANGO flagship store celebration dinner at Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel on November 20, 2008 in New York City..Celebrities Help MANGO Celebrate The Relaunch of Its Soho Flagship - Dinner.Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel.New York, NY United States.November 20, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (56231296), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Solange Knowles performs as designer Marc Jacobs dances at the MANGO flagship store celebration dinner at Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel on November 20, 2008 in New York City..Celebrities Help MANGO Celebrate The Relaunch of Its Soho Flagship - Dinner.Shang Restaurant - Thompson LES Hotel.New York, NY United States.November 20, 2008.Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com..To license this image (56231127), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Solange Knowles attends the 4th Annual PAPER Magazine Nightlife Awards at Mansion on November 16, 2008 in New York City..4th Annual PAPER Magazine Nightlife Awards.Mansion.New York, NY United States.November 16, 2008.Photo by Eugene Gologursky/WireImage.com..To license this image (56206857), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Knowles refers to her second offering as "an album's album," and notes how it is not "single driven." She hopes to continue recording music in the future, even if she says it's on a mix-tape level and for the streets. Laughing, she clarifies the mix-tape content would definitely remain consistent with her soul-influenced R&B sound, adding, "If I ever were to come on a hip-hop tip you would probably never hear me rapping because I turn so suburban white girl and I'm not afraid to say that."
She made headlines for her outspokenness during an interview with a FOX local affiliate television morning show. When she overheard a producer prompting the reporter to inquire about her rapper/mogul/brother-in-law, Jay-Z's nightclub closing down, she took the defense. But, hear her tell it, she didn't even let the television station have it like she could have.
"Listen, I did not even show my a**. I said 'please,' number one, and you would think that I was like 'b**ch don't f**ckin' talk s**t about my sister. I'd slap the s**t out of you.' I was just like, 'I think that's very unprofessional.''
She gives her parents, Music World head Mathew Knowles and House of Dereon clothing designer Tina Knowles, all the credit for encouraging her to "always just speak up when [an] issue bothered [her]."
And, one very big-named iconic singer has her back, too.
"A week or two after that happened [on FOX] I got invited to Prince's house and that was such a big moment for me because I know all cool people get to go to Prince's house. He was standing there and I was with a bunch of people and they were like, 'You're being such a p**sy right now.' 'Cause I was like, 'I'm just gonna sit here.' And he walked up and was like, 'I saw the FOX News thing' and I was thinking to myself, 'S**t even Prince is on my ass.' And he was like, 'And I loved it,' and I was like, 'F**k yeah! Prince said that he likes me, so y'all can kiss my a**.'"
So what's next for her? Knowles is humbled that she is being grouped with the new movement of daring female artists, like Janelle Monae and Santagold, who she says "individually express themselves through their videos, artwork and fashion," but she won't be recording too much longer so that she can focus on being mother to her son Daniel.
"I am blessed that I can take him everywhere with me. I was just telling my dad, 'He is about to turn four in two weeks and you got another year to work this record because come August of next year, I am on lock down like full-on -- taking him to school every morning picking him up every day that's the type of life that I want for him,'' she confided.
On December 21 at 10 pm, you can catch Solange and her sister Beyonce Knowles on a FUSE special called 'Beyonce and Solange: Hope for the Holidays,' a one-hour concert benefiting the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund to aid Texas victims of Hurricane Ike through the sisters' 'Survivor Foundation.'
Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
In 2001, Destiny's Child won the Grammy Award for best R&B Song for their hit single 'Say My Name.' Beyonce was 20 years old, and Solange was 15. New to superstardom, these young girls from Texas would take their time developing their sense of style.
Kevin Mazur, WireImage.com
Looking just like her mom Tina here, Beyonce began her career with hair extensions based on braids, way before she would "upgrade" to lace front wigs.
Jim Spellman, WireImage.com
Working a strange mix of accessories, Beyonce used her ensemble to promote her self-penned hit 'Bootylicious.' We do what we must to reach the top! It was 2001, and still a few more years before Bey would cement her spot without resorting to desperate moves.
Kevin Mazur, WireImage.com
At the 2001 Teen Choice Awards Beyonce and Solange continue to evoke the "classless country" look with matching neon yellow outfits and braids in clashing shades of auburn. At this time, Solange had almost no identity of her own and was totally dependent on her sister's shine.
Gregg DeGuire, WireImage.com
NO TABLOIDS! Solange & Beyonce of Destiny's Child wearing Tina Knowles 2001 MTV Video Music Awards - Audience and Backstage The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center New York City, New York USA September 6, 2001 Photo by Theo Wargo, WireImage.com To license this image (231747), contact WireImage.com
Theo Wargo, WireImage.com
Solange was really just a teen growing up in the fast lane, as we can see here in this early pic. Her braids, scarf, tee and jewelry are clothing an average girl would wear.
Photo AOL
Solange and Beyonce Knowles Solange posed together in 2002 in an uncharacteristically dressed-down look for Bey. Do you think she still has that Michael Jackson's Thriller t-shirt?
L. Cohen, WireImage.com
Through this two-tone hair sculpture in the form of a lace-front wig, Beyonce shows the world that they do indeed do it big in Texas at the 'Austin Powers In Goldmember' in 2002. While Beyonce began to branch out into acting roles at this time, and slightly mature in her sense of style, Solange still seems like a non-entity totally dressed by Mom.
Gregg DeGuire, WireImage.com
These two sisters made an appearance on MTV's 'TRL' in 2002 wearing distinctly different casual looks. While Beyonce took even her relaxed dressing to a costume-like extreme, Solange was still dressing like normal young person.
Kevin Mazur, WireImage.com
At the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall, Bey gave a knockout performance and revealed what many would come to term the "Beyonce Look" in full force. The huge blonde mane and over-the-top sexy golden outfits were here to stay.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
Comments: (204)
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By: wendyista.blogspot.com on 12/06/2008 8:02PM
solange is certainly creating her own lane
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By: seymore on 12/06/2008 11:25PM
This girl is mooching off his sister. Who DOESN'T know that? Getting married and pregnant at 17 was her first mistake. Talk about proof of lack of judgment (even worse was everyone around her condoning it). Now this. She's just trying to find a way to get out of the shadow of Beyonce'. How long will it be before she has a sex tape out??
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By: SEEDOFABRAHAM on 12/07/2008 8:20AM
Just goes to show you, beauty truly is skin deep. I wouldn't buy anything she ever produces if she was the last "singer" on earth.
Whatever happened to that wonderful word called...........SHAME?
I'm glad I had a mother, who when did something agregious and God forbid in the public eye, she would say to me,"You ought to be ashamed of yourself"
I think the whole family is a disgrace, to pimp, I mean manage their daughters half nekked for profit, the apple never falls too far from the tree.
But anyway, guess its always about money over morals these days.
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By: LIA on 12/07/2008 12:43PM
Solange has a potty mouth and she thinks that acting like the complete opposite of her sister is gonna get her to the top. There are people who love her sister, and people who cannot stand her, but you'll never hear anyone say her sister is disrepectful or ill mannered. And Tina and Matthew, or whoever her manager is, needs to reign her in. What a role model for her son.
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By: ME!!!!!! on 12/07/2008 12:45PM
I DONT SEE THE POINT IN ALL OF U DISSING THE YOUNG WOMAN....IF U DONT LIKE HER MUSIC THEN DONT LISTEN TO IT!! ALSO REMEMBER SHE IS YOUNG, BUT SHE IS DOING HER THING AND I HAPPEN TO LIKE HER MUSIC. WHAT'S WRONG WITH PEOPLRE WHEN THEY SEEM TO FIND JOY IN TRASHING PEOPLE. I WOULD BET HALF OF U WOULD TRADE PLACES WITH HER IN A HEARTBEAT, AND BY MOST OF THESE COMMENTS(HATERS) I CAN TELL U JUST SKIMMED THRU THE ARTICLE BECAUSE UR COMMENTS SHOW IT. IM SURE SOLANGE DOESNT NEED ANYONE TO DEFEND HER...SHE CAN CLEARLY DO THAT FOR HERSELF. IT SEEMS ANY TIME U SEE A SISTER DOING GOOD U HAVE OTHER SISTERS HATING....WHAT HAS SHE DONE TO ANY OF U TO DESERVE SUCH HATE(AND NO THIS IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE KNOWLES FAMILY TAKING UP FOR SOLANGE) IM A FAN OF HERS AND HAPPY TO SEE MY SISTER DOING HER THING! SOMEONE SAID SHE HAS A FOUL MOUTH IF U READ THE ARTICLE ALL THE WAY THRU YOU WOULD KNOW SHE SAID THAT THE MEDIA ACTED AS THOUGH THAT IS WHAT SHE SAID(THE CURSING) WHEN ALL SHE DID SAY WAS(AND I WATCHED THE CLIP ALSO)THAT SHE THOUGHT IT WAS UNPROFESSIONAL WHAT THEY WERE SAYING AND SHE THOUGHT WHAT THEY WERE SAYING WAS GOING ON LIVE(ABOUT JAY-Z LOOSING HIS CLUB IN VEGAS), AND SHE DIDNT WANT THAT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH HER INTRVIEW....SO WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT? IM SURE MOST OF U DONT CURSE EVER, lol SHOOT MOST OF U PROBABLY LET UR CHILDREN WATCH SHOWS ON TV WITH MORE PROFANITY AND U WANT TO COMMENT ON AN ADULT CURSING, LOL YALL KILL ME. TO KEE,KEE 4U YOU ARE A PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHAT I WAS SAYING:IF U READ THE ARTICLE RIGHT, YOU WOULD OF SEEN IT WHERE SHE SAID SHE WAS TAKING OFF FROM PERFORMING BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO FOCUS ON HER SON AND BEING A GOOD MOTHER!! DAYUM DO U COMPRHEND????? SHE STATED THAT IN AUGUST SHE WAS NO LONGER GOING TO BE PERFORMING BECAUSE HER SON WAS STARTING SHCOOLA ND SHE KNOW THAT THESE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT TIMES THE SHE NEEDS TO BE THERE, SO MY POINT IS READ AN ARTICLE ALLL THE WAY THRU BEFORE U RUSH TO JUDGEMENT OF A PERSON. WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN LITTLE FAULTS BUT IT MUST SOME(THE HATERS) FEEL GOOD TO HIGHLIGHT OTHERS FAULTS SO THEY CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES! SOLANGE DO UR THING LITTLE MAMA, AND SCREW ALL THEM HATERS BECAUSE IF THEY DONT LIKE U THEN THEY ARE NOT FANS AND THEY WONT AFFECT UR SALES.
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By: MRS B on 12/07/2008 12:55PM
I DON'T KNOW WHAT EVERYONE ELSE THINKS OF SOLANGE'S SINGING BUT I GOTTA SAY IT: SHE SUCKS! I HEARD HER ON THE RADIO ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING AND I WAS HORRIFIED THAT A DING-BAT OF AN EXECUTIVE SIGNED HER. I GUESS ITS TRUE TO ITS NOT WHAT YOU KNOW OR HOW YOU SOUND BUT WHO IS STUPID ENOUGH TO SIGN YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE RELATED TO SOMEONE. IF THAT'S THE CASE, DONALD DUCK AND TWEETY BIRD CAN SING, TOO! THEN SHE CURSES LIKE A TRUCK DRIVER, VERY IMMATURE, DEFINITELY NOT LADY-LIKE WHICH MAKES HER LOOK LIKE THE BLACK SHEEP OF THE KNOWLES FAMILY. SOLANGE, CONTINUE TO HANG ONTO SISTER B'S COAT TAIL AND STAY OUT OF THE STUDIO. YOU SUCK!
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By: Shon on 12/07/2008 1:37PM
Me,it is not that serious. Unlock your caps button. LOL.
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By: Juanita on 12/07/2008 2:10PM
THE GIRL CAN'T ACT OR SING LIKE HER SISTER
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By: Marvice on 12/07/2008 2:45PM
I agree with you #15. This country is full of jealous people. To read the venom about Solange you would think that she did something to each of you and you don't even know her. And many of you probably act and talk the same way when your with your friends or family. You only live once, and you all need to stop hating on people who approach the world with vigor and go after what they want in life. Just because you have no motivation to develop a talent or you allowed your fear of failure to stop you from pursuing any possibility of success, don't continue to bring down people who want something out of life. Hell if Brittney Spears, Little Wayne, and a host of others can be admired by millions of people I see no reason why Solange has to be talked about as if she has absolutely no talent. At least I can understand what she's saying and she can keep her clothes on to say it. Whether I like someone's song or not, I would never say or put in a blog the things you people say about people. Yes, everyone has their own opinion, but why can't your opinion stop at I don't like that song, or I don't like that genere of music? Why does it always have to be personal? "She's just making it because of her sister", "She this She that" So F****** What? To live in this country you better know somebody! If you can voice your stupid opinion, cant' she choose what she wants to do in her life, YES! I said HER LIFE! Get it! you have one too, so worry about that one! Your all hipcrites. Your waiting on the world to give you something to better you life but you want to demean those who are taking the talents they feel they have trying to get it on their own accord. You people are where the SHAME IS!
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By: KEE, KEE, 4U on 12/07/2008 2:54PM
Hey shon #17,
like you said to "Me" on here, "It's not that serious"! True Dat! Like her CAPS really made me scared? Why was this so-called person named "Me" singling me out? The majority on here agreed with me, or had their own opinion about Solange? And you want to know what's real funny, this person named "Me", said "No, I am not a relative of the Knowles family and called us on here, and especially me "HATERS"! Look, I really think that it's "Solange" trying to DEFEND herself.
I call it an OPINION not HATE, get that RIGHT! BV Entertainment Newswire put it out there and I and all the rest on here or gonna comment on here as much as we PLEASE! How about that! No, I don't wish to be like her or her sista, I like being myself. I am BLESSED, Thank you very much!
"Hey "Me", take a break I think these blogs are STRESSING YOU OUT!
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