It can be hard for any father to deal with his daughter's sudden independence, doubly so when that independence happens in front of the world as fodder for the national media. So Matthew Knowles, father and former manager of Beyoncé Knowles, could be forgiven for being a little bummed by his daughter's decision last month to end her business relationship with him after 20 years.

Speaking to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, though, Mr. Knowles seemed to be taking the transition in stride.
"Beyonce will soon be 30 and I understand it," he said. "I think she's going to do a great job being a businesswoman. If she needs me, she will certainly call and I'll certainly be there."
Knowles expressed confidence in Beyoncé's career decisions in light of the entrepreneurial example set by both himself and his wife, Tina, who is proprietor of the clothing line House of Dereon.

Musically speaking, Papa Knowles is keeping busy with Music World Entertainment, the company that he founded in the '90s and used to guide the careers of Destiny's Child, as well as Beyoncé. The label is currently re-inventing itself as a gospel imprint.

“I think there's so much growth in this genre,” Knowles said of today’s gospel landscape. "It's no different than any other music, there's growth in every way. [People] have different musical tastes and the way we deliver the message musically has got to change. There are kids out there who want to hear hip-hop and a positive message as well.”

Knowles was also recently appointed membership to the board of the Gospel Music Association.

(Photo: EMPICS/Landov)