Solange Knowles finds herself in a difficult position in the media. The obvious comparison to her elder sister's phenomenal success and public image, but somehow she has managed to stand on solid ground. As a recording artist, model, dancer and actress she has created an image for herself. A challenging personal life which saw her marry at age 17, become a mother the same year and then a divorce 3 years later could not have been easy. However, she has managed to rise above these issues to create a niche for herself. A trilogy of No.1 dance singles to her credit, she has branched out into a film and TV career, modeling for her families fashion line and of course her main love which is song writing. She has a publishing deal with EMI Records. Solange could have very easily used her sister's fame to her advantage but has independently focused on her career as a multi-talented artist.

Solange - The Other Knowles

"Sometimes I say she's not my sister. Other times I say I've stuffed her in my suitcase and sent it to Dubai. I have to have fun with it or I'll turn into Britney - shave my head and go totally crazy". Solange Knowles

The Namesake

Solange Knowles finds herself in a difficult position in the media. The obvious comparison to her elder sister's phenomenal success and public image, but somehow she has managed to stand on solid ground. As a recording artist, model, dancer and actress she has created an image for herself. A challenging personal life which saw her marry at age 17, become a mother the same year and then a divorce 3 years later could not have been easy. However, she has managed to rise above these issues to create a niche for herself. A trilogy of No.1 dance singles to her credit, she has branched out into a film and TV career, modeling for her families fashion line and of course her main love which is song writing. She has a publishing deal with EMI Records. Solange could have very easily used her sister's fame to her advantage but has independently focused on her career as a multi-talented artist.

The Early Life

Solange was born five years younger to Beyonce in Houston, Texas. At a very early age like her sister she showed her interest in music and dancing. But her first crack at fame was when she appeared as one of the back-up dancers for her sister's all-girl group Destiny's Child. She was 15 at that time and went on tour with Destiny's Child.

Following the footsteps if her elder sister she was signed to her father's record label and was being groomed to be a solo star. After appearing as back-up vocals for Destiny's Child and for rapper Lil Romeo, she started writing her songs which would be eventually used in her up coming album.

The Solo Star

In Dec 2002, she released her first album "Solo Star". The album produced by an ensemble list of producers from Timbaland, Jermaine Dupree and elder sister. "Feeling you Part11" her first single failed to climb the pop charts and only reached No.78. Sometime in 2003, her father announced that 16 year old Solange would be added to the Destiny's Child group making it a quartet. Speculation was rife after this announcement however, later in the year Beyonce came out and dismissed any such move. In fact she is quoted saying "She is a solo-star".

As the album had not been a major hit, she moved into acting. Her first movie Johnson Family Vacation was a semi-hit but due to the ensemble cost the credit was not completely given to Solange. But Solange at age 17 decided to marry Daniel Smith who at that time was in college. Daniel and Solange had known each other since high-school. It is still publicly unknown if the family approved of this union but they were all present at the big event. She moved to Idaho and started writing songs. She wrote "Upgrade You" which appeared on Beyonce's second solo album. She had a child at age 17 and even though she has stated that she regrets having a baby at an early age but it is still the best thing which has happened to her

The Second Coming

In 2007 after 3 years of marriage she and Daniel divorced and Solange moved back to Houston. Keen to start her new career she signed to Geffen records and a publishing contract with EMI Music. She immediately started working on her second album, writing songs and recording demos with various producers.

After a lengthy recording schedule, this initially saw her struggle to get her desired producers as many were not ready to commit on the album. However she managed to rope in Mark Ronson and Cee-Lo. The album "Solo Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams" was released in Aug 2008 to mix reviews. The album was very different from her first effort as it was more 70s funk oriented; unfortunately it was not a commercial smash and only a moderate hit.

Solange went on a UK tour to support the album which in 2009 also had some European dates as well.

Solange does have the talent to be a super star and finally emerge out of the media created shadows of her sister. According to various reports, she is currently working on her third album which will be released sometime in 2010 or 2011. She also plans to work on TV and Film as an outlet for her creativity.

• In 2009, after overdosing on the cough medicine NyQuil, was rushed to hospital where she was treated
• She got married at the age of 17 in 2004 and she had a son the same year
• Solange made her singing debut at age 5 at an amusement park

• Unlimited Music Access
• Music File Sharing
• Country Based Radio Channels
• Easy, Fast and Safe!
• 100% Free!