Mathew Knowles

Mathew Knowles (born January 9, 1952)[1] is an American record executive, talent manager, and businessman.[2] He is best known for being the manager of Destiny's Child. He also managed the solo careers of his daughters Beyoncé Knowles and Solange Knowles.

Mathew Knowles
Born (1952-01-09) January 9, 1952
EducationFisk University (BA), (BS)
Occupation
  • College professor
  • author
  • businessman
  • record executive
  • music manager
  • record producer
Spouse(s)
​
(
m. 1980; div. 2011)

Gena C. Avery
​
(
m. 2013)
Children4, including Beyoncé and Solange Knowles
Musical career
OriginGadsden, Alabama
Years active1975–present
LabelsMusic World
Associated acts

Early life

Knowles was raised in Gadsden, Alabama,[1] the son of Lou Helen Knowles (née Hogue) and Matthew Q. Knowles (April 4, 1927 – December 30, 1996).[3] He is a 1974 graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.[4]

Career

Knowles began his business career in sales of office and medical equipment. He moved to Houston in 1976 and worked for the Xerox Corporation for 10 years, primarily in the medical-systems sales division. Knowles afterward worked selling CT/MRI diagnostic imaging equipment to hospitals and health facilities. He also worked in neurosurgical sales. In 1992, Knowles left this career to devote himself to his music company, Music World Entertainment, which he founded that year.

Knowles established several recording imprints under Music World Entertainment, including Music World Gospel, Music World Kids, and Music World Country/Compadre. Knowles also established joint ventures with Sony Music, Interscope/Geffen/A&M, Fontana/Universal, Integrity Africa, Fontana International, and Sony Brazil. [5]

In 2002 Knowles founded Spirit Rising Music, which became Music World Gospel. Its artists include Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Brian Courtney Wilson, Micah Stampley, Juanita Bynum, Le'Andria Johnson, Amber Bullock, Andrea Helms, Trinitee 5:7, and Elder Goldwire. In 2016, through Music World Music, Knowles acquired the country music catalog Compadre, which includes Johnny Cash, Billy Joe Shaver, James McMurty, Trent Willmon, and Kate Campbell. Knowles also launched the family-oriented music imprint, Music World Kids. The label has released youth projects that include Baby Jamz, Krazy Kuzins, Kid's Rap Radio, and the Music World Kids CD 5-pack. The venture also has released music from Nickelodeon's popular cartoon series, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!.

Knowles became manager of the vocal group Destiny's Child, working as either a producer or an executive producer on many of the group's projects. Under Music World Artist Management, Destiny's Child became a top-selling group, winning several awards including the Grammy Award, the American Music Award, BET Awards, and many others. Former Destiny's Child members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson sued Matthew Knowles accusing him of misappropriating group funds. Billboard magazine inducted the group into the All Time Hot 100 Artists.[6] Knowles managed the solo careers of the other members of Destiny's Child, Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland.

In addition to his work in music, Knowles is also one of the executive producers of the 2009 movie Obsessed, which stars Beyoncé. He is also executive producer of, and is featured in, two reality series: The UK's Chancers, and MTV International's Breaking From Above.

In October 2015, Mathew Knowles released his first book, "The DNA Of Achievers: 10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals". In an interview with Madamenoire.com, he spoke about teaching entrepreneurship on the college level, and his entertainment industry seminars.[7]

In March 2018, Billboard announced that Mathew Knowles joined the advisory board of Tunedly, an online recording studio for songwriters.[8]

In July 2019, Mathew Knowles joined the cannabis and real-estate firm Bangi as its chief marketing officer.[9]

On October 25, 2019, Knowles announced via an Instagram video that he will release an album featuring then-unreleased music from the group's childhood days as Girls Tyme.[10] The album, Destiny's Child: The Untold Story Presents Girls Tyme, was released on all streaming platforms and the iTunes Store on December 2, 2019. The album's release was also accompanied by a book, Destiny's Child: The Untold Story written by Knowles.[11]

Teaching

Knowles is a visiting professor at Texas Southern University, where he teaches courses on the entertainment industry in the School of Communications. In 2018, the university established the Mathew Knowles institute in his honor. [12]

Accolades

Knowles is the recipient of the Century Award of Excellence (1911–2011) from the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He also received the 2011 Living Legends Foundation Award and was named the "2007 International Executive of the Year" by the Greater Houston Partnership. Knowles is an active and longtime voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and serves on its GRAMMY Board Committee. In 2011, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Gospel Music Association.

Personal life

Knowles married Tina Knowles in 1980.[13] She filed for divorce in 2009, dropped the matter in 2010, then refiled in August 2011, stating "discord or conflict of personalities" that prevented them from "reasonable expectation of reconciliation" as the reason. The divorce was finalized in November 2011. On June 30, 2013, he married former model Gena Avery. [14]

In October 2019, Knowles announced he had been diagnosed with male breast cancer.[15]

References
  1. Knowles in Mathew Knowles - My American Story (YouTube). BeyonceWorld9481. February 1, 2011. Event occurs at 00:24. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2019. I grew up in Gadsden, Alabama. I was born in 1952.
  2. Norment, Lynn (September 2001). "The Untold Story of How Tina & Mathew Knowles Created The Destiny's Child Gold Mine – Interview". Ebony. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2010 – via FindArticles.com.
  3. Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2015). Becoming Beyoncé: The Untold Story. United States: Grand Central Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 978-1455516728.
  4. "Mathew Knowles Named to Fisk University Board of Trustees". Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  5. "Mathew Knowles' Music World Entertainment Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary". Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  6. "Destiny's Child inducted into Billboard All Time Hot 100 Artists". Billboard. August 2, 2013. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  7. Osorio, Kim (October 19, 2015). "Exclusive With Mathew Knowles: Does Your Child Have What It Takes To Be Beyonce". Madamenoire.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  8. "Executive Turntable: Moves at TuneIn & Coalition Agency, Additions to Tunedly Advisory Board". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  9. "Our Team". Bangi. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  10. "Mathew Knowles Is Dropping An Unreleased Destiny's Child 'Girls Tyme' Album". BET.com. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  11. "Stream: Mathew Knowles Releases 'Destiny's Child: The Untold Story Presents Girls Tyme' Album & Book - That Grape Juice". thatgrapejuice.net. Archived from the original on December 22, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  12. "Texas Southern University Establishes the Mathew Knowles Institute". February 9, 2018. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  13. Perpetua, Matthew (December 19, 2011). "Beyoncé's Parents Finalize Divorce". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on November 24, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014. The couple, who married in 1980, filed for divorce back in 2009.
  14. "Beyonce's father Mathew Knowles weds former model Gena Charmaine Avery". Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  15. "Interview: Mathew Knowles reveals he is battling breast cancer: 'We need men to speak out'". Good Morning America. October 2, 2019. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
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