Real Music People

Solange has been writing and performing from an early age. Classically trained in ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance at school, her performing career started a little unexpectedly, as a back up dancer when a Destiny’s Child dancer suddenly had to leave the tour.

This experience and traveling with the group all across the world was huge influence on her and opened her up to many different types of music and style. She used this cultural melting pot on her debut album ‘Solo Star’ which she released at the age of 16.

Since these beginnings Solange has developed into a notable singer, songwriter and actress, with some fantastic achievements already under her belt. The latest talent from the Music World stable, she co-wrote Beyonce’s ‘Get Me Bodied’ and ‘Upgrade You’ from Beyonce ‘B-Day’ album, ‘Love Off’ for Kelly Rowland’s ‘Ms Kelly’ and Michelle Williams’s upcoming club smash ‘We Break The Dawn’. Tapping into her other passion acting, she has also starred in hit movies ‘Johnson Family Vacation’ and ‘Bring It On: All Or Nothing’, in which she co-starred with Heroes star Hayden Panettiere

Music has remained her first love throughout. Her forthcoming album ‘Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams’ is influenced by the likes of Otis Reading and Marvin Gaye.

“If I had to describe the sound of my record”, say Solange , “I would like to think that it is as if The Supremes, The Marvelettes, Dusty Springfield and Minnie Riperton were to make the music they did in the 60’s and 70’s now with a modern touch.”

‘I Decided’ totally encapsulates that vibe. Produced by The Neptunes and given an extra sparkle by UK’s finest Freemasons, ‘I Decided’ is a burst of pure old school R&B pop drama with a modern twist

With an amazing album to follow with collaborations from the likes of Pharell, The Boards Of Canada, Mark Ronson, Q-Tip, Raphael Saddiq and the legendary Lamont Dozier, Solange has well and truly found her own voice.

Akon is still guaranteed to be a free man, at least for a month more. The criminal case against the hip hop artist has been adjourned until next month, on August 6th. The case is from an incident last year when Akon threw a 15-year old fan offstage at the 2007 KFEST concert in June. In December 2007, Akon plead not guilty to charges of second degree harassment and endangering the welfare of a minor. The boy’s mother, Patricia Smith, attended the case hearing this week and said that it was pretty typical. She says “People can just hang in there long enough until the case goes in their favor.” If he gets convicted, the singer can face up to a year and 15 days in the pokey.