Solange Responds Comparisons Of Her Album To Sister Beyonce’s ‘Lemonade’

Solange Knowles has responded to critics of her new album.

SOLANGE REACTS TO BEYONCE COMPARISONS

Solange’s album A Seat at the Table has been very well reviewed since its release on Sept. 30. The Los Angeles Times called it “a potent work of black empowerment and protest that comes at a crucial time. It’s topical and urgent, reflecting the anger and unease of this divisive political season.” The album speaks on the inequality black people, and really all minorities, face in this country.

An interlude track on the album showcases Solange’s mother Tina Lawson saying, “It really saddens me 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’re just pro-black, and that’s ok, because the two don’t go together.”

Some reviewers noted the similarity between this album and her sister Beyonce‘s politically charged album Lemonade from earlier this year.

The Fader interviewer posed this question: “Do you see A Seat at the Table and your sister’s album, LEMONADE, as companion records in any specific way?”

Solange responded with a description of the sibling’s childhoods. “We have the same mother and the same father. We grew up in the same household, and so we had and heard the same conversations, …. these very politically-charged, socially-charged conversations on a daily basis. It shouldn’t be surprising that two people who grew up in the same household with the same parents who are very, very aware — just like everyone else is — of all of the inequalities and the pain and suffering of our people right now, would create art that reflects that. I’m really proud of my sister and I’m really proud of her record and her work and I’ve always been. As far as I’m concerned, she’s always been an activist from the beginning of her career and she’s always been very, very black. My sister has always been a voice for black people and black empowerment.”

The interview also spoke about blackness outside of the United State, as well as the responsibility that musicians and men and women in the public eye have to speak out on social issues. The artist also spoke on the timing of her new album and the span of her career.

Solange has also released videos for two of her album tracks, which can be viewed below.
“Cranes in the Sky”

“Don’t Touch My Hair”