Lift Every Voice: Mathew Knowles

See photos and learn about Beyoncé's dad and former manager.

Mathew Knowles - “Remember, this is 20 years I’ve been doing this. She’s almost 30 years old, and if she says, ‘I want to run my business,’ I think she’s smart enough that she will get the right team.” – Mathew Knowles on Beyoncé (Photo credit: Claire Greenway/Getty Images)

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Mathew Knowles - Music executive and manager Mathew Knowles is a native of Gadsen, Alabama. He graduated from Fisk University in 1974 with a degree in both Economics and in Business.

Mathew Knowles - In 1980, Mathew Knowles married Célestine Ann “Tina” Beyincé. They have two daughters, Beyoncé Giselle and Solange Piaget Knowles.\r\r\r\r(Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez)

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Mathew Knowles - In 1980, Mathew Knowles married Célestine Ann “Tina” Beyincé. They have two daughters, Beyoncé Giselle and Solange Piaget Knowles.\r\r\r\r(Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez)

Mathew Knowles - Mr. Knowles had a successful career as a sales executive for Xerox until he turned his full attention towards managing his eldest daughter’s singing group, Gyrl’s Time.\r\r\r\r(Photo: Brad Barket)

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Mathew Knowles - Mr. Knowles had a successful career as a sales executive for Xerox until he turned his full attention towards managing his eldest daughter’s singing group, Gyrl’s Time.\r\r\r\r(Photo: Brad Barket)

Mathew Knowles - Girl’s Tyme eventually became the best-selling female group of all-time, Destiny’s Child. As their manager, Mathew produced or coproduced many of the group’s collective and solo projects.\r\r\r\r(Photo: Stephen Lovekin)

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Mathew Knowles - Girl’s Tyme eventually became the best-selling female group of all-time, Destiny’s Child. As their manager, Mathew produced or coproduced many of the group’s collective and solo projects.\r\r\r\r(Photo: Stephen Lovekin)

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Mathew Knolwes - In 2003 he founded his own record label, Music World Entertainment. The label has produced artists such as Beyoncé, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Kelly Rowland, Solange Knowles, Jaunita Bynum, Micah Stampley and more.\r\r\r\r(Photo: Dave Hogan)

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Mathew Knowles - In 2009 he forayed into the film business as one of the executive producers of the film Obsessed, which stared Beyoncé.

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Mathew Knowles - In 2009 he forayed into the film business as one of the executive producers of the film Obsessed, which stared Beyoncé.

Mathew Knowles - Mr. Knowles puts his education to use as a professor at Texas Southern University and guest lectures at schools around the country. He was also appointed to the Board of Directors of the Gospel Music Association.\r\r\r\r(Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

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Mathew Knowles - Mr. Knowles puts his education to use as a professor at Texas Southern University and guest lectures at schools around the country. He was also appointed to the Board of Directors of the Gospel Music Association.\r\r\r\r(Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

Mathew Knowles - Knowles currently plans to focus on his label’s work in Gospel and inspirational music, starting with Trin-i-tee 5:7’s latest project, Angel and Chanelle.\r\r\r\r(Photo: Ronald Martinez)

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Mathew Knowles - Knowles currently plans to focus on his label’s work in Gospel and inspirational music, starting with Trin-i-tee 5:7’s latest project, Angel and Chanelle.\r\r\r\r(Photo: Ronald Martinez)

Mathew Knowles - What’s the number one piece of advice he has for anyone starting out in the music business? Mathew has just one word: “Passion”.\r\r\r\r(Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

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Mathew Knowles - What’s the number one piece of advice he has for anyone starting out in the music business? Mathew has just one word: “Passion”.\r\r\r\r(Photo: PA Photos /Landov)