Solange Knowles
Born 1986 · Age 39
American singer, songwriter, actress and multidisciplinary/ performance artist; younger sister of Beyoncé; founder of Saint Records/Saint Heron; Grammy winner for "Cranes in the Sky"; composer for New York City Ballet.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Solange Knowles and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born in Houston, Texas
Solange Piaget Knowles born to Mathew and Tina Knowles in Houston, Texas.
First public singing performance at Six Flags AstroWorld
Made her singing debut at age five at Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston.
Began writing her own songs
Started writing songs at age nine, an early indication of songwriting as a passion.
Decided to pursue recording career
At 13 she decided she wanted to pursue recording, though parents initially advised her to wait.
Temporary backup dancer for Destiny's Child (tour)
Replaced Kelly Rowland after an injury during Destiny's Child's opening stint for Christina Aguilera's 2000 tour.
Early songwriting and collaborative credits
Featured vocals and songwriting credits appear early on (e.g., Little Drummer Boy on Destiny's Child's 8 Days of Christmas; contributions to other soundtracks).
Lead singer on 'The Proud Family' theme / early recording credits
Sang the title theme for The Proud Family (animated series) and appeared on Destiny's Child's holiday album as a backup singer.
Appeared in Lil' Bow Wow video "Puppy Love"
Made an appearance as Lil' Bow Wow's date in the video for "Puppy Love".
Wrote tracks for Kelly Rowland’s Simply Deep
Wrote songs including "Simply Deep", "Beyond Imagination" and "Obsession" for Kelly Rowland's debut album.
Began recording debut album Solo Star
Worked with producers (Jermaine Dupri, The Neptunes, Linda Perry, Timbaland) and was signed to Music World Entertainment/Columbia (managed by her father).
Featured on Austin Powers: Goldmember soundtrack
Featured on the song "Hey Goldmember" for the Austin Powers in Goldmember soundtrack.
Single "Feelin' You (Part II)" charts on R&B/Dance sales charts
Lead single reached #3 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales and Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales charts (did not reach Hot 100).
Released debut studio album Solo Star
Solo Star released Jan 21, 2003; uptempo R&B/pop with contributions from major producers; she co-wrote/co-produced several tracks.
Discussion of adding Solange to Destiny's Child announced
Mathew Knowles announced he was considering adding Solange to Destiny's Child in 2004; she would have made the group a quartet.
Destiny's Child reaffirms trio status
In August 2003 Beyoncé denied the rumor; Kelly Rowland commented Solange is a 'solo star'.
Relocated to Moscow, Idaho
Moved to Moscow, Idaho while her husband pursued college studies.
Guest appearance on sitcom 'One on One' and film debut
Guest-starred on One on One and made feature film debut in Johnson Family Vacation (played a teenager), contributed the song "Freedom" to the soundtrack.
Married Daniel Smith
Married high-school sweetheart Daniel Smith in the Bahamas (Solange was 17, Smith 19).
Birth of son, Daniel Julez Smith Jr.
Gave birth to her son on October 18, 2004.
Co-wrote songs for Beyoncé's B'Day ('Get Me Bodied', 'Upgrade U')
Credited as co-writer on tracks on Beyoncé's 2006 B'Day album; 'Get Me Bodied' later won R&B/Hip-Hop accolades at ASCAP.
Starred in Bring It On: All or Nothing
Starred as a cheerleading captain in the film 'Bring It On: All or Nothing' (credited as Solange Knowles-Smith).
Signed publishing deal with EMI and record deal with Geffen
Renewed management and signed a worldwide co-publishing deal with EMI and a record deal with Geffen in 2007.
Divorced Daniel Smith
Divorce finalized in 2007; Solange then split time between Los Angeles and Houston.
Launched/promoted Baby Jamz toy line
Promoted Baby Jamz, a hip-hop-styled toy line for preschoolers and executive produced the accompanying CD of hip-hop nursery rhymes.
Critical acclaim for Sol-Angel album
Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams was positively received by critics and deemed a stylistic maturation from her debut.
Won ASCAP R&B/Hip-Hop Song accolade for "Get Me Bodied"
At the 2008 ASCAP Awards Solange earned recognition for her songwriting contributions on "Get Me Bodied."
Announced mixtape series (I Can't Get Clearance...)
Announced via blog a series of mixtapes to coincide with Sol-Angel; the first was I Can't Get Clearance..., but full mixtape was never officially released.
Sol-Angel album sales reported
By December 2008 the album had sold over 114,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan (sources report ~114k–140k).
Released lead single "I Decided"
"I Decided" (lead single from forthcoming album) released April 2008; reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Released second studio album Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams
Released Aug 26, 2008; Motown/1960s-70s-inspired sound; produced by Mark Ronson, CeeLo Green, Soulshock & Karlin; peaked at #9 on the US Billboard 200.
Launched Sol-Angel tour in Britain
Began the Solange Presents Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams Tour in the UK in November 2008 in support of the album.
Left Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group
Parted ways with the Interscope-Geffen-A&M group to pursue more independent releases.
Released single "Fuck the Industry (Signed Sincerely)"
A leaked track from earlier mixtape sessions was released as a single in 2010 expressing views on the music business.
Traveled to Australia to work with Midnight Juggernauts
Worked with Australian rock band Midnight Juggernauts on material for a forthcoming album.
Guest appearance on Yo Gabba Gabba! (Mother's Day special)
Performed an original children's song "Momma Loves Baby" on the show and on its live tour.
Publicly described breakdown/panic attacks during recording
In a Vibe interview (July 7, 2010) she discussed mental health struggles/ panic attacks during the creative process and sacrifices made.
Named face of Rimmel London
Announced as one of the new faces of Rimmel London in 2011, alongside other celebrities.
Became face of multiple fashion/beauty brands
Became a face for Rimmel London (2011), Ocean Pacific campaigns (2009 previously), and served as ambassador for Armani Jeans (2008 earlier); these endorsement/brand deals spanned years.
Teased and filmed "Losing You" single; EP True release schedule
Teaser for "Losing You" released Sept 2012 (video shot in Cape Town); listening party Oct 24, 2012; digital EP True released Nov 27, 2012; CD/vinyl Jan 8, 2013.
Stepped down as face of Carol's Daughter amid criticism
Amid public commentary about her natural hair, she stepped down from the Carol's Daughter position in 2012.
Launched Saint Heron digital platform
Founded Saint Heron as a music and cultural hub to amplify Black artistry (later expanded into an institution in 2021).
Named art director and creative consultant at Puma
Joined Puma as art director/creative consultant and later curated multiple women's shoe collections for 2014–2015.
Founded Saint Records
Launched her own record label, Saint Records, to release her third album and champion not-yet mainstream hip-hop and R&B artists; distribution through Sony.
Released Saint Heron compilation
Saint Records released its first compilation album, Saint Heron, featuring artists like Jhene Aiko, Sampha and Kelela.
Billed as Solange Knowles-Smith for acting credit
Used her full married name Solange Knowles-Smith for acting credits (notably in Bring It On: All or Nothing).
TMZ releases elevator altercation video
Video released showing Solange appearing to physically attack Jay-Z in an elevator after a Met Gala after-party; widely publicized; family later issued a joint statement.
Married Alan Ferguson
Married music video director Alan Ferguson at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans.
Performed "Rise" at HBO-sponsored event
Performed 'Rise' inspired by police killings (Michael Brown, Freddie Gray) and subsequent protests in Ferguson and Baltimore.
Solange and Beyoncé are first sisters with #1 albums same year
Solange's A Seat at the Table and Beyoncé's Lemonade made them the first sisters to each have #1 albums in the same calendar year (2016).
Completed third album A Seat at the Table
Announced completion of A Seat at the Table on June 21, 2016 (three days before her 30th birthday).
Released A Seat at the Table
Released Sept 30, 2016 to critical acclaim; album explores black womanhood and Southern culture.
A Seat at the Table debuts at #1 on Billboard 200
The album became Solange's first US #1; she and Beyoncé became the first sisters to each have #1 albums in the same calendar year.
Released music videos for "Don't Touch My Hair" and "Cranes in the Sky"
Released music videos co-directed by Solange and Alan Ferguson on Oct 3, 2016.
Expanded into performance art at major institutions
Began blending music and performance art widely (Guggenheim's An Ode To in 2017), staging works in international museums and exhibitions thereafter.
Won Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance
At the 59th Annual Grammy Awards (2017) "Cranes in the Sky" won Best R&B Performance — Solange's first Grammy.
Received Billboard Women in Music Impact Award
Honored with the Billboard Women in Music "Impact Award" in 2017.
Directed SZA video and other directing work
Directed the music video for SZA's 'The Weekend' (released/credited in December 2017) and continued directing music videos.
Named Glamour Woman of the Year
Named a Woman of the Year at the 2017 Glamour Women of the Year awards (fashion recognition as well).
Ranked by Billboard among greatest dance artists
Billboard ranked her as the 100th most successful dance artist of all time (source reported in coverage).
Performed at Glastonbury Festival
Performed at Glastonbury Festival (June 2017); performance earned a five-star review from The Daily Telegraph.
Performance art piece Metatronia premieres
Premiered Metatronia (Metatron's Cube) at the Hammer Museum (2018) exploring movement and space.
Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year; major campaigns
Received the Artist of the Year award from the Harvard Foundation (2018) and became the face of Mercedes-Benz #WEWONDER and Helmut Lang campaigns; began IKEA interior design collaboration.
Festival performances and touring (2019)
Performed at Bonnaroo, Parklife, Lovebox and Camp Flog Gnaw festivals in 2019.
Performance art and museum exhibitions (2019)
Directed/composed In Past Pupils and Smiles at the Venice Biennale (Nov 2019) and presented works at Elbphilharmonie and Getty Center (Bridge-s) in 2019.
Separated from Alan Ferguson
Publicly separated from husband Alan Ferguson in 2019.
Began dating Gio Escobar (Standing on the Corner)
Began relationship with experimental jazz artist Gio Escobar in 2019; publicly acknowledged on Instagram Nov 2020.
Released fourth studio album When I Get Home
Released March 1, 2019; accompanied by a 33-minute short film and heavily influenced by Texas roots; celebrated with nine simultaneous screenings across Houston's Third Ward.
Received inaugural Lena Horne Prize
Named inaugural recipient of the Lena Horne Prize (2020).
When I Get Home director's cut added to Criterion Channel
Director's cut of the film accompanying When I Get Home became available to stream on the Criterion Channel in 2021.
Expanded Saint Heron into an institution
Saint Heron expanded into a multidisciplinary institution (studio, creative agency, library, art gallery) in May 2021.
Honored with NYU Global Trailblazer Award and LOUIS XIII campaign
Received the 2022 NYU Global Trailblazer Award and starred in LOUIS XIII's 'Believe in Time' campaign (2022).
Announced as composer for New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala
In Aug 2022 NYCB announced Solange would compose the score for the Fall Fashion Gala (Sept 2022), making her the third woman and first African American to compose for NYCB.
Released Small Matter Art Objects glassware collection
Designed a limited-edition glassware collection in collaboration with glassblower Jason McDonald (2023) under Saint Heron/Small Matter Art Objects.
Appeared in Gucci Gift campaign with mother Tina Knowles
Featured alongside her mother in a Gucci Gift campaign in 2024.
Remixed Mariah Carey's "Say Somethin'" for 20th anniversary reissue
Remixed Mariah Carey's 2006 song "Say Somethin'" for the 20th anniversary reissue of The Emancipation of Mimi (2025).
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Solange Knowles and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji
Born 1991 · Age 34
Nigerian entrepreneur; co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave, co-founder/general partner of Future Africa, former managing director of Flutterwave; recipient of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Ed Sheeran
Born 1991 · Age 34
English singer-songwriter, record producer and actor; multi-platinum selling artist known for albums +, ×, ÷, No.6 Collaborations Project, =, − and Autumn Variations; founder of Gingerbread Man Records.
Tyler Okonma
Born 1991 · Age 34
American rapper, producer, director, fashion designer and founder of Odd Future, Golf Wang and Camp Flog Gnaw; acclaimed for genre-bending albums including Igor and Call Me If You Get Lost.
Travis Scott
Born 1991 · Age 34
American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur known as Travis Scott. Rose from Houston mixtape releases to global superstardom with multiple #1 albums/singles, fashion and brand collaborations, and the Cactus Jack label. Notable for immersive live shows and the Astroworld Festival tragedy (2021).
Ben Reeves
Born 1991 · Age 34
English professional football coach and former player (midfielder). Born 19 Nov 1991 in Verwood; youth product of Southampton; made professional debut for Southampton in 2011; played for Dagenham & Redbridge (loan), Southend United (loan), Milton Keynes Dons, Charlton Athletic, Plymouth Argyle, Gillingham and Eastleigh; capped twice by Northern Ireland; re-joined Southampton in a coaching/support role in 2024.
Isaiah Rashad
Born 1991 · Age 34
American rapper and singer from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Founding member of rap collective The House. Signed to Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2013; released Cilvia Demo (2014), The Sun's Tirade (2016) and The House Is Burning (2021).