Solo Star

Background:

R&B pop singer/songwriter Solange Knowles, the younger sister of Beyoncé Knowles, started out as a back-up dancer and opening act for her older sister's group “Destiny's Child” before landing a recording deal at age 16 and releasing her debut album, “Solo Star” (2003; re-released in 2006), which spawned the singles "Feelin' You" and "Crush." She will release her sophomore album, "Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams," on August 26, 2008, with the lead single "I Decided."

Solange has written and co-written songs for Destiny's Child, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, and Beyoncé. She has also contributed soundtracks to the animated film "Osmosis Jones," the live-action "Scooby-Doo," the basketball movie "Like Mike," Disney Channel's animated series "The Proud Family," and the comedy film starring Beyonce, "The Fighting Temptations." Additionally, she serves as the executive producer of the “Baby Jamz” CD.

The 5' 8" singer is also a model for her mother's clothing line, House of Deréon, and was featured in a "Got Milk?" campaign alongside her sister Beyonce. She also has graced the pages of Teen People, Seventeen, YM, Honey, and J-14.

Solange is also an actress and has starred in the films "Johnson Family Vacation" (2004) and "Bring It On: All or Nothing" (2006), as well as guest-starred in the TV series "Taina," "The Proud Family," "One on One," and "Listen Up."

On a more personal front, Solange was married to football player Daniel Smith from 2004 to 2007 and has one son with him.

Solange Piaget

Childhood and Family:

Daughter of African-American record executive Matthew Knowles and Creole descendant (African-American, Native American, and French) fashion designer Tina Knowles, Solange Piaget Knowles was born on June 24, 1986, in Houston, Texas. She is the younger sister of musician Beyonce Knowles (born on September 4, 1981) and the sister-in-law of rap mogul Jay-Z.

"I got married at 17, so I won't judge from that one experience." Solange Knowles

On February 27, 2004, Solange married Texas Southern University football player Daniel Smith while she was pregnant with their child. Their son, Daniel Julez J. Smith, was born on October 18, 2004. Solange and Daniel divorced in 2007.

Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams

Career:

A fan of Janet Jackson, Solange Knowles began taking dance lessons at age 2 and performed in front of an amusement park crowd as an opening act for her older sister by age 5. She recalled, "Anywhere my sisters were singing, my dad would try and get me on the bill as well. I'd open up for them even when they were opening up for someone else."

At 13, she went on a two-year tour as a backup dancer for Destiny's Child. She later appeared in Destiny's Child's music video "Bootylicious" and "Soldier," as well as in Beyonce's single "Get Me Bodied."

Solange, managed by her father Matthew, landed a recording deal. She subsequently hosted the 2001 summer MTV TRL tour, which featuring such acts as Destiny's Child, Jessica Simpson, and Nelly.

"As soon as I heard the track I knew that the song would become something that really represented me, because of all of the different influences from Arabic to reggae to hip-hop. I really wanted to show people that I'm more than just another R&B singer and that many things make up my sound and this song is perfect to do just that." Solange Knowles (on her debut single "Feelin' You")

Solange appeared in "True Love" with Lil Romeo in 2000 and released her debut single, "Feelin' You," the following year. Her debut album, "Solo Star," was released on January 21, 2003. The album spawned the Neptunes-produced single "Crush.” It received triple platinum and platinum certifications in countries like the Philippines and Malaysia. It also earned her Best New Female R&B/Soul Artist and Best Female Hip-Hop Vocal Album of the Year at the 2003 Filipino Music Awards.

"This record is a representation of my life. It's a real sense of who I am, right now and how I feel." Solange Knowles (on her album "Solo Star")

"Solo Star" was re-released on November 14, 2006, and later featured in Solange's 2006 movie, "Bring It On: All or Nothing," a straight-to-video released movie in which she co-starred opposite Hayden Panettiere.

During this time, Solange was also featured on the Destiny's Child holiday album “8 Days of Christmas” (2001). She was also featured on the Disney Party Mix of "Jumpin' Jumpin'" and sang a duet with Kelly Rowland on the title track of her first album, “Simply Deep.”

Solange has written and co-written songs for Destiny's Child, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, and Beyoncé. She has penned such hits as Beyoncé's "Get Me Bodied," "Upgrade U," and "Flaws and All." She also wrote "Home For The Holidays" for Wal-Mart’s national holiday commercial campaign. Additionally, she serves as the executive producer of the “Baby Jamz” CD.

"I knew that songwriting and production was something that I wanted to explore. Being in the studio is the fun part for me." Solange Knowles

Solange, who signed a new record deal with Geffen Records and Music World Entertainment, recently announced that she will release an album titled "Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams" on August 26, 2008. The first single to be taken from the album is "I Decided.” It was released on radio on April 22, 2008. It hit the number one spot on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales the week of July 5, 2008. The video of the single premiered on June 4, 2008, on BET's Access Granted.

“Any decision I make is based on myself and the only person I have to give an explanation to is God.” Solange Knowles

Solange is also a model for her mother's clothing line, House of Deréon, and was featured in a "Got Milk?" campaign alongside her sister Beyonce. She also graced the pages of Teen People, Seventeen, YM, Honey, and J-14.

Besides "Bring It On: All or Nothing" (2006), Solange has acted in the comedy movie “Johnson Family Vacation” (2004; with Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa L. Williams, Bow Wow, Steve Harvey, Gabby Soleil, and Shannon Elizabeth), and the now-defunct UPN sitcom “One on One.” She also played guest roles Nickelodeon's sitcoms “The Brothers Garcia” and “Taina,” starring Christina Vidal.

"I love music but I'm not gonna work myself to death. If there ever comes a point where I'm not enjoying it, then I'm not gonna do it anymore. I've promised myself that. I've written it down on paper and signed a contract." Solange Knowles

Awards:

• Filipino Music: Best New Female R&B/Soul Artist, 2003

• Filipino Music: Best Female Hip-Hop Vocal Album of the Year, 2003