Solange Knowles

An accomplished singer-songwriter, Solange Knowles responded to her sister Beyoncé's massive professional shadow by following her own quirky muse. Born June 24, 1986 in Houston, TX, Solange Ijiat Knowles grew up wanting to pursue a music career like her older sister, Beyoncé, and served as a backup dancer for Destiny's Child. More than just a girl group, Destiny's Child became the family business, but despite filling in for Kelly Rowland for a spell and rumors she could become a permanent member, Knowles never fully joined the group. Instead, she pursued a solo career, singing the theme song for "The Proud Family" (Disney Channel, 2001-05) and earning some songwriting credits before her debut, 2003's Solo Star. Sadly, the album made little to no impact and vanished quickly. Because of her family connections, Knowles faced both enormous opportunities as well as challenges, and was frequently compared in snarky and unfavorable terms to her world-conquering sister. Nevertheless, Knowles booked acting roles as high-spirited teens in "Johnson Family Vacation" (2004) and the direct-to-DVD sequel "Bring It On: All or Nothing" (2006) but had more luck helping write songs for the members of Destiny's Child. Shifting musical directions in her own recording career, Knowles released 2008's multiple genre-spanning Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, which earned stronger reviews than her debut, with lead single "I Decided" becoming a minor hit. Her next album, the 2012 EP True, furthered her reputation as an interesting musical maverick dancing to her own beat.

By Jonathan Riggs