Solange

Biography

Solange Piaget Knowles, born June 24, 1986 in Houston, Texas, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her innovative contributions to alternative R&B and neo soul. Raised in a musical family—her father Mathew Knowles managed Destiny’s Child, which included her older sister Beyoncé—Solange expressed an early interest in music and dance, performing as a backup dancer for Destiny’s Child at age 14. She began writing songs at nine and released her debut album, 'Solo Star,' at 16, marking the start of a career characterized by artistic independence and experimentation.[1][2][4]

After early forays into pop and acting, Solange shifted her musical style with her second album, 'Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams' (2008), drawing inspiration from Motown and 1970s soul. This album received critical acclaim and established her as a distinctive voice in contemporary R&B. Her subsequent projects, including the EP 'True' (2012) and the album 'A Seat at the Table' (2016), further showcased her genre-blending approach, tackling themes of identity, empowerment, and social justice. 'A Seat at the Table' debuted at number one in the US and won her a Grammy for Best R&B Performance for 'Cranes in the Sky.'[2][3][5]

Solange’s legacy lies in her fearless artistic vision and her role as a cultural innovator. She founded Saint Records in 2013 to support progressive R&B artists and has collaborated with museums and ballet companies, notably composing for the New York City Ballet in 2022. Her work is celebrated for its introspective lyrics, eclectic production, and commitment to elevating Black artistry and narratives.[3][5]

Fun Facts

• Solange wrote the theme song for Disney Channel’s animated series 'The Proud Family.'[4]
• She made history in 2022 as the first Black woman to compose music for the New York City Ballet.[3]
• Solange founded her own record label, Saint Records, in 2013 to promote progressive R&B artists.[5]
• She is an accomplished performance artist, having collaborated with international museums on multimedia projects.[3]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Mathew Knowles - Father and early manager; guided her entry into the music industry (Solo Star (2002)) [2001–2004]
• Beyoncé Knowles - Older sister and artistic inspiration; Solange wrote songs for Beyoncé and Destiny's Child (Get Me Bodied, Upgrade U (Beyoncé's B'Day album)) [2006]
• Motown girl groups - Stylistic influence on her second album (Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams) [2008]

Key Collaborators

• Mark Ronson - Producer on her second album (Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams) [2008]
• CeeLo Green - Producer and featured artist (Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams) [2008]
• Bilal - Guest vocalist (Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams) [2008]
• Blood Orange (Dev Hynes) - Co-writer and producer on the 'True' EP (True) [2012]

Artists Influenced

• SZA - Cited Solange as an influence on her approach to alternative R&B and artistic independence (Ctrl) [2017]
• Kelela - Inspired by Solange’s blending of soul, electronic, and experimental sounds (Take Me Apart) [2017]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Losing You
2. Cranes in the Sky (A Seat at the Table)
3. Almeda (When I Get Home)
4. Binz (When I Get Home)
5. Stay Flo (When I Get Home)
6. Mad (feat. Lil Wayne) (A Seat at the Table)
7. Dreams (When I Get Home)
8. Don't Touch My Hair (feat. Sampha) (A Seat at the Table)
9. Naive (Solo Star)
10. Losing You

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #alternative-r&b, #contemporary-r&b, #neo-soul