Read Beyonce’s Interview With Solange About ‘Tough’ Female Influences, Mom Texts
Beyoncé interviewed her younger sister Solange for the new issue of Interview magazine after both released highly acclaimed albums in 2016: Lemonade in April and A Seat at the Table in September.
Beyoncé began by praising Solange and recalling how her musical obsessions – with Alanis Morissette, Minnie Riperton –had always been unique. “I guess I always felt a yearning to communicate — I had a lot of things to say,” Solange explained. “And I appreciated y’all’s patience in the house during all of these different phases. They were not ever very introverted, quiet phases.”
Solange also cites Syreeta Wright as a significant influence because she, and Ripperton, were were evocative while singing about “tough shit.” Solange emulated that balance in her LP. “It was very intentional that I sang as a woman who was very in control, a woman who could have this conversation without yelling and screaming because I still often feel that when black women try to have these conversations, we are not portrayed as in control, emotionally intact women, capable of having the hard conversations without losing that control,” she said.
Beyoncé also commended Solange’s ability to be on top of new trends, artists and styles before they hit the mainstream. “I love connecting people. I love introducing people to other people who are doing incredible work in the world,” said Solange. Plus, she added that she spends “too much time” on the Internet.
The Knowles parents also figured heavily into the interview. Solange noted that she found many similarities between the experiences of their father and hip-hop mogul Master P, who appeared in several interludes on A Seat at the Table. On a lighter note, Beyonce asked Solange about the “funniest text you got from our mom this week,” intimating that texts from “Mama Tina” – like all moms – are are thing. Solange deflects her sister’s question. “Too personal,” she said.