The Evolution of Solange Knowles

A look at the highlights of Solo's career as she turns 28.

From the Shadows to the Spotlight - Solange Piaget Knowles was born on June 24, 1986. The now-respected artist has come a long way since her days of back-up dancing for Destiny’s Child. Stepping out of the shadow of her iconic sister, Solange has carved a lane for herself, cementing her place in the worlds of fashion, music and entrepreneurship. No longer limited to the restrictive title of “Beyoncé’s little sister,” Solange has come into her own, proving that there’s room for more than one fabulous sister in the game. On this day, her birthday, we take a look at Solange Knowles’s evolution from child prodigy to free-spirited diva.(Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Gucci)By Moriba Cummings

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From the Shadows to the Spotlight - Solange Piaget Knowles was born on June 24, 1986. The now-respected artist has come a long way since her days of back-up dancing for Destiny’s Child. Stepping out of the shadow of her iconic sister, Solange has carved a lane for herself, cementing her place in the worlds of fashion, music and entrepreneurship. No longer limited to the restrictive title of “Beyoncé’s little sister,” Solange has come into her own, proving that there’s room for more than one fabulous sister in the game. On this day, her birthday, we take a look at Solange Knowles’s evolution from child prodigy to free-spirited diva.(Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Gucci)By Moriba Cummings

Humble Beginnings - At the tender age of 15, Solange made her unofficial debut to the world when she joined the Destiny’s Child crew after replacing one of the group’s departing dancers. She even temporarily stood in for DC3 alumna Kelly Rowland during the girl group's opening set for singer Christina Aguilera after the "Motivation" singer broke her toes backstage during a costume change.(Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)

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Humble Beginnings - At the tender age of 15, Solange made her unofficial debut to the world when she joined the Destiny’s Child crew after replacing one of the group’s departing dancers. She even temporarily stood in for DC3 alumna Kelly Rowland during the girl group's opening set for singer Christina Aguilera after the "Motivation" singer broke her toes backstage during a costume change.(Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)

A Family Affair - Giving the world a taste of her vocal chops, Solange, backed by the ladies of Destiny’s Child, recorded the theme song for the Disney Channel animated television series The Proud Family. Keeping the Knowles name alive, she served as a vocalist on the track “Hey Goldmember,” from the 2002 Austin Powers in Goldmember soundtrack, which her sister starred in, as well as Destiny’s Child’s 8 Days of Christmas cut “Little Drummer Boy,” to name a few.(Photo: KMazur/WireImage)

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A Family Affair - Giving the world a taste of her vocal chops, Solange, backed by the ladies of Destiny’s Child, recorded the theme song for the Disney Channel animated television series The Proud Family. Keeping the Knowles name alive, she served as a vocalist on the track “Hey Goldmember,” from the 2002 Austin Powers in Goldmember soundtrack, which her sister starred in, as well as Destiny’s Child’s 8 Days of Christmas cut “Little Drummer Boy,” to name a few.(Photo: KMazur/WireImage)

The Big Debut - After being subtly introduced to the world in a series of unforeseen tour substitutions, Solange officially made her debut to the world in the form of her own musical project, titled Solo Star, on January 21, 2003. The project boasted production from music juggernauts, including Timbaland, The Neptunes and Jermaine Dupri.(Photo: Columbia Music)

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The Big Debut - After being subtly introduced to the world in a series of unforeseen tour substitutions, Solange officially made her debut to the world in the form of her own musical project, titled Solo Star, on January 21, 2003. The project boasted production from music juggernauts, including Timbaland, The Neptunes and Jermaine Dupri.(Photo: Columbia Music)

Marriage and Motherhood - In 2004, Solange, the youngest of the Knowles family, married her high school sweetheart, Daniel Smith. Soon after, she gave birth to their son, Daniel Juelz J. Smith Jr. Following these two life milestones, she moved to Idaho with her new family.(Photo: WENN)

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Marriage and Motherhood - In 2004, Solange, the youngest of the Knowles family, married her high school sweetheart, Daniel Smith. Soon after, she gave birth to their son, Daniel Juelz J. Smith Jr. Following these two life milestones, she moved to Idaho with her new family.(Photo: WENN)

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No Time to Rest - Following the lukewarm performance of Solo Star, a marriage and a newborn, Solange kept it moving, pursuing a slew of short acting gigs here and there. Some of her appearances included a guest spot on the sitcom One on One and roles in both the 2004 comedy Johnson Family Vacation and 2006’s Bring It On: All or Nothing.(Photo: Universal Studios Home Entertainment Family Productions)

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No Time to Rest - Following the lukewarm performance of Solo Star, a marriage and a newborn, Solange kept it moving, pursuing a slew of short acting gigs here and there. Some of her appearances included a guest spot on the sitcom One on One and roles in both the 2004 comedy Johnson Family Vacation and 2006’s Bring It On: All or Nothing.(Photo: Universal Studios Home Entertainment Family Productions)

The Gift of Writing - While married and living in Idaho, Solange exercised her gift of writing more than before, penning hits for her sister’s funky sophomore album B’Day, including the snappy dance number “Get Me Bodied” and the Jay Z-assisted “Upgrade U.” Her writing style was so impressive that it nabbed her the honor of receiving the R&B and hip hop accolade for “Get Me Bodied” at the 2008 ASCAP Awards.(Photos from left: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images, Columbia Music)

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The Gift of Writing - While married and living in Idaho, Solange exercised her gift of writing more than before, penning hits for her sister’s funky sophomore album B’Day, including the snappy dance number “Get Me Bodied” and the Jay Z-assisted “Upgrade U.” Her writing style was so impressive that it nabbed her the honor of receiving the R&B and hip hop accolade for “Get Me Bodied” at the 2008 ASCAP Awards.(Photos from left: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images, Columbia Music)

Comsic Journey - After just three years of marriage, Solange divorced her then-husband Daniel Smith in 2007. She moved to Los Angeles with a new story to tell and a new look to show off.(Photo: Cassandra Hannagan/WireImage)

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Comsic Journey - After just three years of marriage, Solange divorced her then-husband Daniel Smith in 2007. She moved to Los Angeles with a new story to tell and a new look to show off.(Photo: Cassandra Hannagan/WireImage)

A Career-Defining Sound - Taking another stab at music, Solange released her second studio album, Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, in August of 2008, shifting gears from the pop-oriented direction of her debut LP and delving into a more old school Motown sound. This became her defining moment as an artist and true introduction to the world.(Photo: Polydor Records)

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A Career-Defining Sound - Taking another stab at music, Solange released her second studio album, Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, in August of 2008, shifting gears from the pop-oriented direction of her debut LP and delving into a more old school Motown sound. This became her defining moment as an artist and true introduction to the world.(Photo: Polydor Records)

F--k the Industry - Following her sophomore LP, Solange released a mixtape titled I Can’t Get Clearance…, which included a bold track “F--k the Industry (Signed Sincerely),” which leaked onto the Internet mysteriously. In the track, the opinionated singer candidly expresses her views on the state of the music industry at the time. Though the mixtape never saw the light of day, the song was released as a single in 2010.(Photo: Splash News)

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F--k the Industry - Following her sophomore LP, Solange released a mixtape titled I Can’t Get Clearance…, which included a bold track “F--k the Industry (Signed Sincerely),” which leaked onto the Internet mysteriously. In the track, the opinionated singer candidly expresses her views on the state of the music industry at the time. Though the mixtape never saw the light of day, the song was released as a single in 2010.(Photo: Splash News)

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TRUEly Independent - Taking a new turn in her career, Solange decided to part ways with her Interscope-Geffen-A&M family and went the independent route, concocting a project that shocked many with its original sound. She released “Losing You,” the infectiously groovy lead single to her EP TRUE via the independent label Terrible Records. A few weeks later, she dropped the visual for fan-favorite, "Lovers in the Parking Lot," where she busted a few moves in a flea market with Houston music royalty Bun B. The album was released on CD and vinyl on January 8, 2013.(Photos from left: Columbia Music, Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

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TRUEly Independent - Taking a new turn in her career, Solange decided to part ways with her Interscope-Geffen-A&M family and went the independent route, concocting a project that shocked many with its original sound. She released “Losing You,” the infectiously groovy lead single to her EP TRUE via the independent label Terrible Records. A few weeks later, she dropped the visual for fan-favorite, "Lovers in the Parking Lot," where she busted a few moves in a flea market with Houston music royalty Bun B. The album was released on CD and vinyl on January 8, 2013.(Photos from left: Columbia Music, Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

Jane of All Trades - On May 14, 2013, Solange announced to the world that she had launched her very own record label, called Saint Records, which she eventually used to house and release her full-length third album and future music projects distributed through Sony.(Photos from left: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, Saint Records)

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Jane of All Trades - On May 14, 2013, Solange announced to the world that she had launched her very own record label, called Saint Records, which she eventually used to house and release her full-length third album and future music projects distributed through Sony.(Photos from left: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, Saint Records)

Cash In - Marking one of the best musical moves of 2013, Solange released her first compilation album, Saint Heron, on November 11, 2013, featuring both indie and mainstream artists, including Kelela, BC Kingdom, Cassie and Jhené Aiko.From dancing behind her sisters on stage to producing new talent through her own record label, Solange has truely evolved into a woman of distinction. Happy Birthday, Solange!(Photos from left: Taylor Hill/WireImage, Saint Records)

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Cash In - Marking one of the best musical moves of 2013, Solange released her first compilation album, Saint Heron, on November 11, 2013, featuring both indie and mainstream artists, including Kelela, BC Kingdom, Cassie and Jhené Aiko.From dancing behind her sisters on stage to producing new talent through her own record label, Solange has truely evolved into a woman of distinction. Happy Birthday, Solange!(Photos from left: Taylor Hill/WireImage, Saint Records)