Mathew Knowles
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2010) |
Mathew Knowles | |
|---|---|
| Spouse(s) | Tina Knowles (1980-2009) |
Mathew Knowles (born January 9, 1951) is an American music executive and manager from Gadsden, Alabama.[1] He is the manager and father of R&B singers Beyoncé and Solange Knowles.
Career
Manager and producer
Mathew Knowles is an alumnus of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. While studying at Fisk he held membership in a number of student organizations, among them the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, "Marchin'" Eta Psi Chapter. After completing his B.A. in 1975,[citation needed] he worked for imaging company Xerox. While his work was financially rewarding (he was earning a six-figure salary), he sought a greater challenge. He left his job at Xerox to manage his eldest daughter's singing group, Girl's Tyme, the precursor to what later became Destiny's Child. Destiny's Child, though now defunct, would become one of the best-selling recording artists in the U.S. Knowles has worked as either a producer or an executive producer on many of group's solo and collective projects. In addition to his work in music, Knowles is also one of the executive producers of the 2009 thriller Obsessed, which stars his eldest daughter Beyoncé.
CEO
In 2003, Knowles founded his own record label, Music World Entertainment. The label is a division of the major label Columbia Records. The MWE label produced many artists such as Beyoncé Knowles, Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland, Solange Knowles, Sunshine Anderson, Trin-i-tee 5:7, The Pastor Rudy Experience, and J. Xavier.
Mathew Knowles has also started or managed Music World Music, the label division of Music World Entertainment. This division consists of four imprints; Music World Kids, Compadre Records, Spirit Rising, and the digital label Hits Revealed. Music World’s artist roster includes artists signed to major label partners such as Columbia, Geffen Records and Interscope Records.
Personal life
Knowles has been married to stylist and House of Dereon owner Tina Knowles since 1980. Together, they have two daughters, R&B singers Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, both of whom are managed by Mathew. Knowles and his family are members of St. John's Methodist Church in Houston, Texas.
On November 11, 2009, Tina Knowles filed for divorce after several reports about Mathew's affair with actress Alexsandra Wright had surfaced. The reports went as far as claiming that Wright was pregnant with Knowles' child. After Wright's son Nixon was born, she requested a paternity test from Knowles, who had admitted to being in an affair with her. The paternity test returned positive and Knowles was ordered to pay child support to Nixon and Wright.[2]
References
- ^ Norment, Lynn (September 2001). "THE UNTOLD STORY OF HOW Tina & Mathew Knowles Created The Destiny's Child Gold Mine - Interview". Ebony. FindArticles.com. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
- ^ Bachelor, Blane (March 25, 2010). "BUZZ: Paternity Test Confirms Beyoncé's Dad a Dad Again". People.