Solange has dedicated her new album to her parents for this important reason
Last week, Solange Knowles released her brand new album, A Seat at the Table, her first album in eight years and her first new music since 2012.
The album is completely exquisite and since it came out we’ve barely been able to listen to anything else. And it seems we’re not the only ones, too, as loads of celebrities have been freaking out over the album (and fair enough because it’s absolutely brilliant). Similarly, Solange’s sister, a singer named Beyoncé (you may have heard of her), also praised the album in a beautiful Instagram post.
Comprised of 21-tracks, the album is a meditation on race and personal truth, and sees Solange team up with a whole host of collaborators, including Kelly Rowland, Lil Wayne, Tweet, and even her mother, Mrs. Tina Lawson, who speaks about black culture on an interlude “Tina Taught Me.”
Now Solange has spoken about how the album is dedicated to her parents and it’s for a really important reason.
In a conversation with her mother and journalist Judnick Mayard on her create and cultural hub Saint Heron, Solange spoke about it was her parents and her upbringing that allowed her to create the album and address its themes head on.
"I’m a strong believer that in order to know where you’re going, you have to know where you came from, Solange said, speaking about choosing where to write and record the album. "I think that I chose New Iberia based on that area being the start of everything within our family’s lineage."
https://www.instagram.com/p/BK6pvQOBwwT
Solange then went on to explain that she wasn’t worried about the album’s strong social and political lyrics that deal with race, racism, and black culture thanks to her upbringing.
"One thing that people are just now seeing, with you being very public and on social media, is that we grew up very pro-Black," Solange said, responding to her mother. "We grew up in a household with two parents who constantly celebrated Blackness and created forums and spaces to empower Black communities. This might feel new for other people, but it is surely not new for me."
Responding, Tina said:
"You grew up surrounded by Black art, positive images of Africa and your culture, so Blackness has always been a part of your life. It helped to shape who you are, which I am very proud of."
Speaking about why she felt it was important that her mother, Tina, interview her, Solange said that it was because the album was a dedication to her parents.
"The reason why it was so important for the first time for anyone to hear an interview or to hear me talk about this record be in connection with my mother is because the album is also a tribute to both my mother and my father," she explained. "I think that I feel extremely privileged that my parents went through all of the pain, trauma, and the weight of being two young Black people who came from not much at all and who were able to dream big and manifest it." "[A] huge part of the record is just honoring and giving a tribute to my parents."
Not only do we absolutely think this is wonderful, it’s also because of a really important reason, too. We love that through her parents, Solange has been able to make art that represents her truth.
We really, really love Solange’s new album, and we’re so happy for her and the response it’s been getting.
A Seat at the Table is our now. Watch the video for “Don’t Touch My Hair” below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTtrnDbOQAU?feature=oembed
