In 2007, Knowles began to record music again. Her second studio album Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams (2008) deviated from the pop-oriented music of her debut to Motown-inspired sounds from the 60's and 70's. It peaked at number nine on the US Billboard 200 and received positive reviews from critics. She followed this up with the 1980s pop and R&B-inspired EP True (2012) on Terrible Records and her imprint Saint Records. Her third studio album, A Seat at the Table (2016) was released to widespread critical acclaim and became her first number-one album in the United States. The album's lead single, "Cranes in the Sky" won the Grammy for Best R&B Performance. Her fourth studio album, When I Get Home, was released in March 2019 to further critical acclaim.
Knowles was heavily influenced by Motown girl groups and says that her first passion is songwriting. Frequently compared by the media to her sister Beyoncé, Knowles has claimed that they have different aspirations and are musically different. She has been ranked by Billboard as the 100th most successful dance artist of all-time, and in 2017 was honored with the "Impact Award" at Billboard Women in Music. Her other ventures include an endorsement deal with Rimmel London and a line of hip-hop-oriented merchandise for young children.
Interlude: Tina Taught Me
Solange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That it's so much beauty in being Black
And that's the thing that, I guess, I get emotional about
Because I've always known that
I've always been proud to be Black
Never wanted to be nothing else
Loved everything about it, just
It's such beauty in Black people
When we're not allowed to express that pride in being Black
And that if you do, then it's considered anti-white
No! You just pro-black, and that's okay
The two don't go together, because you celebrate Black culture
Does not mean that you don't like white culture
Or that you putting it down
It's just taking pride in it, but what's irritating is when somebody says
You know, "They're racist!", "That's reverse racism!"
Or "They have a Black History Month, but we don't have a White History Month!"
Well, all we've ever been taught is white history
So, why are you mad at that? Why does that make you angry?
That is to suppress me and to make me not be proud
In Solange's song Interlude: Tina Taught Me, she reflects on the beauty of being Black and the importance of being able to express pride in one's Black identity without it being seen as anti-white. Solange speaks about her own pride in her Black identity and her sadness that some people are not allowed to express that pride. She touches on the idea that Black pride is not the same as being anti-white and that celebrating Black culture does not mean putting down white culture. She also discusses the frustration of being told that Black History Month is reverse racism, when white history is all that has been taught.
This interlude is significant in that it serves as a statement of Black pride and a call to celebrate Black culture without fear of being ostracized or labeled as anti-white. Solange contextualizes the idea of Black pride in a larger cultural conversation about race relations and the power dynamics that drive these conversations. She speaks to the anger and resentment that can arise when people of color are suppressed and excluded from mainstream narratives, and she reminds listeners that pride in one's culture and heritage is not only natural but necessary for a healthy sense of self.
Overall, this interlude is a powerful statement on the importance of Black pride and cultural celebration. Through Solange's words, listeners are reminded of the beauty and strength of Black culture and encouraged to embrace it with pride and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
I think part of it is accepting
Acknowledging a truth
That it's so much beauty in being Black
Being Black is a beautiful thing
And that's the thing that, I guess, I get emotional about
It's an emotional topic for the singer
Because I've always known that
The artist has always been aware of this beauty
I've always been proud to be Black
The artist has always taken pride in their Blackness
Never wanted to be nothing else
The singer has never wished to be anything other than Black
Loved everything about it, just
The singer loves everything about being Black
It's such beauty in Black people
There is a unique beauty in Black people
And it really saddens me
The artist is saddened by something
When we're not allowed to express that pride in being Black
People are not accepting of Black pride
And that if you do, then it's considered anti-white
Having Black pride is often seen as being against white people
No! You just pro-black, and that's okay
Being pro-Black is not the same as being anti-white
The two don't go together, because you celebrate Black culture
Celebrating Black culture does not mean you dislike white culture
Does not mean that you don't like white culture
Black celebration does not equate to white culture hatred
Or that you putting it down
Celebrating Black culture is not meant to degrade white culture
It's just taking pride in it, but what's irritating is when somebody says
Being proud of Black culture is the sole purpose, but it can be frustrating when others don't understand it
You know, "They're racist!", "That's reverse racism!"
Negative reactions of others to black celebration – accusing it of being the reversal of what they know as racism.
Or "They have a Black History Month, but we don't have a White History Month!"
People are not content with Black History Month and feel they need an exclusive White History Month
Well, all we've ever been taught is white history
Black people have been taught about almost nothing but white history
So, why are you mad at that? Why does that make you angry?
Asking why someone should be angry about Black people learning white history
That is to suppress me and to make me not be proud
The education system is set up to not promote Black pride
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Raphael Saadiq, Solange Knowles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind