So much of your identity in junior high is built on who you're with. You see the world through the lens of how you identify and have been identified at that time. Solange Knowles More Quotes by Solange Knowles More Quotes From Solange Knowles You're just so excited that you have this record deal or this movie opportunity that you don't stand up for yourself and say, This is what I want to do. Solange Knowles records want opportunity I think there's just certain lyrics and certain forms of hip-hop that definitely rang true, again, to a lot of people's truth, but you don't necessarily want to hear someone using that as a just kind of a in-the-moment, fun, careless expression. Solange Knowles expression fun thinking I have gone through many difference phases in my love affair with hip-hop.It evolves, your taste. It sometimes deepens, in terms of what's out; sometimes it's not as deep in terms of what's out. So it's definitely an evolution. I don't ever claim to be a hip-hop head. Solange Knowles hip-hop differences taste I think every generation has that movement of hip-hop that you know you're playing it and you definitely have that moment of like, "Why am I saying this so enthusiastically? Why am I so stoked and psyched to say these lyrics?" Solange Knowles generations hip-hop thinking I have been writing songs since I was 9 years old, so writing has and always will be my first love and passion. Solange Knowles passion writing song There's just so, so many overlooked R&B artists and I think it's really about, again, being sensitive to whatever you're addressing culturally. I just always try to have a sensitivity to it and what that might make someone feel. Solange Knowles artist trying thinking I actually was a ballet dancer - I studied ballet from three until 13 - but like very seriously, that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a contemporary ballet dancer. I wanted to go to Juilliard. Solange Knowles dancer ballet three So over time, playing shows - after every show we would have pow-wow, I would have notes and we'd go over and we'd really restructure and re-do and now I feel really, really good about the show. But it's taken time. Solange Knowles wow notes taken When you take care of yourself, you're a better person for others. When you feel good about yourself, you treat others better. Solange Knowles yourself feel good you Self-love is really a foundation for everything, and however you practice or express that is so, so important. Solange Knowles self-love you important practice Dubai's a pretty powerful place. Solange Knowles pretty place dubai powerful I'm surrounded by such beautiful, creative people, and I just love sort of sharing their stories and their journeys. Solange Knowles creative beautiful love people When you think back in history about producers and artists or writers who've had good synergy, a lot of times they date, or they're married, or there's a friendship and a kinship. Solange Knowles good you friendship history It's really special to have a niece because I have a son, so I get to have a little girl, too. Solange Knowles niece girl special son The Fela Kuti Queens - the band members and wives of the late African musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti - are my fashion icons. Solange Knowles wives late band fashion Motherhood is such an evolving journey. Solange Knowles evolving motherhood journey Colors and prints are part of my style. Solange Knowles prints part colors style I think that some people get wrapped up in their own egos. They need to see certain album sales and certain monuments. Solange Knowles monuments some-people think people My blog is actually all self-photography unless it's a photo shoot. Solange Knowles unless photo photo-shoot shoot My sister and I were not allowed expensive clothes. We so badly wanted these Fila sneakers as kids, but my mother took us down to the flea market and got imitation ones. Look at the early Destiny's Child videos. You'll see. Solange Knowles look you clothes mother