Solange Knowles

Solange Knowles is a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and visual artist, whose multi-disciplinary practice focuses on themes of identity, empowerment, grief, and healing, influencing future generations. After making her professional recording debut in 2001 as the lead vocalist for ‘The Proud Family’ theme song, Solange Knowles launched a multifaceted career as a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and visual artist. Early engagements included a temporary role as a backup dancer for Destiny’s Child in 2000 and a featured performance on ‘Hey Goldmember’ in 2002. Signed with Music World Entertainment and Columbia Records in 2002, Knowles released her debut album, ‘Solo Star,’ in 2003.

Produced by Jermaine Dupri and Timbaland, the album’s lead single, ‘Feelin’ You (Part II),’ reached number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart. Knowles expanded her creative endeavors into acting, appearing in films like ‘Johnson Family Vacation’ (2004) and ‘Bring It On: All or Nothing’ (2006). She also contributed as a songwriter, penning tracks ‘Get Me Bodied’ and ‘Upgrade U’ for Beyoncé’s ‘B’Day’ album, earning an R&B and Hip-Hop Song accolade at the 2008 ASCAP Awards for the former. Signing with Geffen and EMI in 2007, she released her second studio album, ‘Sol-Angel and the Hadley St.

Her third studio album, ‘A Seat at the Table’ (2016), marked her first number-one album in the United States. Its lead single, ‘Cranes in the Sky,’ earned a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance in 2017. Knowles also received the ‘Impact Award’ at Billboard Women in Music (2017) and performed at the Glastonbury Festival. She directed SZA’s music video for ‘The Weekend’ (2017).

She is slated to commence a three-year position as scholar in residence at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music in 2025.