Solange Knowles: The Re-Emergence of Beyonce's Little Sister

Solange, the younger sister of singer-actress Beyonce, is set to release her sophomore album Sol-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams on August 26, 2008. In recent weeks, the rising star has been making the rounds in Europe with stops on The Charlotte Church Show and GMTV. Additionally, she has been featured in various magazines, including the cover of Rap-Up Magazine! With all of the recent exposure, the inevitable comparisons to her older sister have persisted. Sure, both Knowles girls are beautiful, talented, independent women. But, outside of the shared parentage and last name and the fact that both Knowles sisters have albums dropping this year, the similarities are few.

Born Solange Piaget Knowles on June 24, 1986 in Houston, Texas, the youngest of the Knowles clan, which also includes manager-father Mathew and designer mother Tina, grew up watching her big sister become a mega star as the lead singer of Destiny's Child. Solange began her entertainment career at the tender age of fourteen as a back-up dancer. Unlike her sister, who is stalked constantly by the paparazzi, Solange has led a rather low key life, one that she is happy with.

In 2001, Solange stepped out of her sister's shadow and launched her singing career when she was featured on Destiny Child's Christmas album, 8 Days of Christmas. For the album, she recorded the song "Little Drummer Boy." In 2003, Solange release her first album entitled Solo Star. The album spawned the modest hit "Feelin' You (Part II)." During this time, Solange established herself as a credible song writer penning hits for Destiny's Child, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, the solo projects of Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Beyonce and her own project. In 2007, Solange signed a publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing.

Solange is no stranger to the business side of the entertainment industry. In 2007, she joined with her father, Mathew and Planet Toys to record music for and design a line of toys called Baby Jamz. The singer remade several children's tunes with a hip-hop flair. Heralded on Babyjamz.com as "the first ever hip-hop/rhythm inspired preschool toy line promoting creativity, learning and movement through music," the line is sold exclusively at Wal-mart stores. The line includes five, music infused toys that feature Sloane's voice.

The Baby Jamz line was inspired by Solange's three-year old son Daniel Juelz Smith. Born in October of 2004, Juelz is the product of Solange's marriage of college footballer, Daniel Smith. The two married in 2004 when Solange was just 17 years old. The couple, who Solange calls high-school sweethearts, quietly divorced in 2007, but the two remain friends and committed co-parents to their son.

Never one to put limitations on her life, in addition to the demands being a full-time single mother, Solange has dabbled in acting, with starring roles in The Johnson's Family Vacation and Bring It On: All or Nothing. She had also modeled in print ads for her mother and sister's joint venture, House of Dereon.

Solange was recently named as an ambassador for the Armani jeans line. According to an article by Leisa Barnett on the British Vogue website, Giorgi Armani is quoted as saying "Armani Jeans expresses my vision of a young, independent, casual lifestyle with a strong and cool, fashion sensibility. Solange epitomizes this style perfectly and brings to it that swing so evident in her new single, I Decided."

The single "I Decided" is the lead track off Solange's latest musical effort,Sol-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams. This time around, the older and wiser Solange infuses 1960's soul with electronica, blues and jazz influences. The video for the first single pays homage to the 1960's staple, the girl group. With just one single, Solange is already exhibiting a creative approach to music that establishes her as an artist completely independent of her sister. Solange's style is fresh and new with an old-school vibe.

It's probably safe to assume that Solange will not reach the meteoric heights of her sister. And only time will tell of Solange's lasting impact on the fledgling music scene, but one thing is certain. This rising star is one that will shine brightly.