Solange Knowles said of Björk being on pop radio, 'She wasn't some obscure underground thing like she was in America.'
Unfortunately, years later, Solange Knowles acquired an injury which forced her to take a hiatus from dancing. She said, 'Dance had been my everything since I was a little girl and all of a sudden I couldn't do it. Some beautiful things came out of that year but also some painful things. I started writing songs because I had all of these emotions that were so real.'
Because of longtime friend Kelly Rowland's support, Solange Knowles made up her mind to pursue a career in music. She said of the experience, 'I was nervous to talk to my parents. Part of my mom was like, 'Please be normal and get a regular job,' because she had gone through so much with my sister. She knew how strong-willed I was and how the industry was probably not going to be the most supportive thing for a 15-year-old girl.'
The parents eventually gave Solange Knowles their blessing and the then 17-year-old hopeful signed a record deal with Columbia and in 2003, she released her debut album "Solo Star."
Despite having a famous sister, the album underperformed and she said that it had taught her a valuable lesson. Solange Knowles said of the music business, 'I was serious about my songwriting but not necessarily too gung ho on all the other elements of being an artist-the public nature of things, the lack of privacy, the feeling of always needing to be on. I also felt really misunderstood by my peers and the musical landscape that I was in.'
Solange Knowles married her high school sweetheart Daniel Smith in 2004, and they had their son Julez soon after. The couple moved to Idaho, where Smith played football for Boise State, and Solange Knowles reportedly focused on songwriting.
Solange Knowles recalled, 'It was chill. I got to be at home with Julez all the time.'
The pair divorced in 2007, and Solange Knowles decided to re-launch her music career, this time on her own terms. She said, 'I had written all of the songs [on 2008's Sol-Angeland the Hadley St. Dreams] and I believed in them. I felt I was strong enough to put them out specifically how I wanted to. I identify with Sade and Kate Bush and Erykah Badu, who are artists but on their own terms.'
Solange Knowles said of her last EP, "True", 'It was about the overall vibe-the message was fun. She also said of her next upcoming album's release, 'I really want you to hear what I'm saying. I want you to hear me.'
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
