The 16-Year-Old Who Could Take It All
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: Puddin on 12/09/2008 9:41AM
She can act better than her sister
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By: courtney on 12/09/2008 9:47AM
TO ALL ...YOU GET REAL PEOPLE... you daughters and sons probably already knows cuss words and plus if she went miltary thats all they would hear. get them desensitize now and for the rest of yall and yall cant sing then shut the fuck up. i dont see myself or anyone of yall out there trying. LEAVE SOLANGE alone and let her be.
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By: Puddin on 12/09/2008 9:48AM
She can act better than her sister
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By: jbrooks on 12/09/2008 11:50AM
Are you people insane or simply stupid? First of all, it is extremely logical that siblings vocals are similar. That's just natural! But there is still quite a difference in sound between Solange and Bey's voices! And, unless you live under a damn rock, Solange is not the first person to use profanity! She is an adult and can curse if she so chooses! If I could I would curse out all you haters on this site! JACKASSES! You HATERS are just mad because Solange is happy and living the HIGH life!
As for the idiot who said Solange "is mooching off her sister" is just that - an idiot. Excuse me, fool. But many people want success not only for themselves, but for their families also! Also, you are apparently unaware that Solange is a songwriter who has written quite a few songs for her sister and others. Grow up you jeanlous, hateful, losers!
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By: Collette on 12/09/2008 2:16PM
I really enjoy Solange's CD... one my absolute faves, Bilal Oliver, is on there. It shows a lot of originality, soulfulness and creativity. While I don't personally have a potty mouth, many young people I know do - behind closed doors. She is just comfortable (or immature, whatever u think) enough to be herself out in public, and I applaud her for that.
Keep making music, Solange - you have a lot of fans out there. And do you!
-Collette in SC
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By: Mahoney on 12/09/2008 3:01PM
WHAT!!! This chick is crazy... See what happens when your part of a family that everyone has talent but you... It's sad really... She's a horrible singer & an even worse actress... Don't give me that "She's young" line... Many of young talents out there and they don't act this way... She has the attitude that the world owes her something... She's Beyonce's sister that should be enough...
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By: megan on 12/09/2008 3:11PM
It's a shame that a person blessed with talent- if that's what you want to call it, and opportunity would be such a foul-mouthed disgrace. Class will get you places which explains why she isn't going anywhere. She's already accepted that by acknowledging that she'll never produce anything more than a mixed tape. And her comparison to Katy Perry? I'm not a fan of Katy but Solange has been around for some time now and Katy is new to the game so unless she is like the world's latest bloomer there is no hope for her.
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By: Walli on 12/09/2008 3:13PM
I like her because she is more down to earth than Beyonce. She has no trouble partying with ordinary people unlike her sister. For instance, when a man jumped on stage during one of her concerts, she didn't freak, she danced with him. She also told her security to leave him alone because he wasn't bothering anyone. Had it been Beyonce, she probably would have run off the stage and would have been still running.
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By: daniell on 12/09/2008 3:15PM
this girl is caught up in the stardom of her sister. her parents have her fooled into thinking that she can be at the level of her sister.
now i am not being a hater, i am just calling it like it is. her attitude on the fox special was outragious. i mean look at how she sat through out the whole interview, like she was doing the network a favor. i think she could have handled it alot better than how she did.
if anyone thought that she got married and then got pegnant you are sadly mistaken, she was already pregnant when she got married. why would anyone's parents tell their 17 year old daughter to get married at that age? to keep up appearances and to make sure that the FANS who looked up to ms b. did get the wrong impression of their family.
the truth of the matter is this. SOLANGE NEEDS TO SIT BACK ON RIDE THE COAT TAILS OF HER SISTER, AND GO TO HER PARENTS FOR MONEY, CAUSE THE GIRLS ATTITUDE IS JUST STANK. until she changes her attitude she needs to just sit in the corner and be seen but never heard.
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By: Kristi on 12/09/2008 3:31PM
I can't believe she is still making the news. She was so out of line with that host that I don't think she can recover from that
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