Almost everyone in the world knows who Beyonce is, 20-time award winning singer and performer, one of the most influential of our time, if you ask me. However, I bet not everyone knows that Beyonce is not an only child. In fact, she has a younger sister.
Wait...Beyonce has a sister?
Yes. Her name is Solange Knowles, and she is an actress and recording artist, just like Beyonce. Some of you may recognize her as Camille from Bring It On: All or Nothing.
Yep, that's the one.
I am here to talk about her brand new album A Seat at The Table, which was released on September 30th, 2016, just about a month ago. I have always known that Solange was a talented woman, but listening to this album has brought a new sense of love and admiration for her. This album was originated by Solange wanting to tell her story and wanting to tell her life story of being a black woman in society, because obviously, if you are not a black woman, you just would not understand. She wants to express her story on what it means to be an oppressed yet proud black woman in 2016, not to mention that Solange wrote, arranged, and co-produced every song on her own album! She discusses social and personal issues to the public while remaining classy and poetic.
Usually on albums there are songs that become more well-known than others. On A Seat at The Table, some of those songs that stick out just a little bit more are Cranes in the Sky, where she sings about her own personal issues and self-battles that she has been fighting all of these years.
Another personal favorite of mine is Don't Touch My Hair, where as a black woman, I can relate. Nothing irritates me more than when people touch my hair, especially when I decide to wear it as a natural afro and people come to touch WITHOUT ASKING and refer to it as "cool" and "crazy" as if it were some sort of science experiment. My hair is not just my hair, it is the feelings I wear. Like Solange, I consider it to be my crown, so please don't touch what is mine. For black women hair is not just hair, it is art, a way of expression, a way of life. As Solange sings this song others can listen closely to the lyrics and be enlightened.
The last song that stood out to me was F.U.B.U, standing for For Us By Us. This song's name was originated from the designer company FUBU, which was designed for African Americans to wear. Daymond Garfield John is the owner of the company, who is also known for his appearance on ABC's Shark Tank. The song basically explains how African Americans feel that although they are oppressed and looked down upon for their race, the same people oppressing them are the ones appropriating their culture; from wearing traditional hairstyles and clothes to taking their music and making it their own, it's something that African Americans are tired of. Solange basically says how other races and cultures can’t have everything from the black culture and some stuff is really just “for us.”
Overall, the album is such a good album. It shows how talented and outspoken Solange really is. She is one I would consider brave for telling her story. It's hard to share your struggle with other people that might not really understand what you've really been through. But hey, she did it.
Maybe with this album she won't be known as Beyoncé’s sister or the girl from that Bring It On movie.
She'll finally be recognized as Solange Knowles; her own name, her own album, her own story.
