Mathew Knowles

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Mathew Knowles

Born January 9, 1952 (age 71)

Gadsden, Alabama, U.S.

Education Fisk University (BA, BSBA)

 College professor
Occupations
 author

 businessman

 record executive

 music manager

 record producer

Years active 1975–present
Tina Knowles
Spouse(s)

(m. 1980; div. 2011)

Gena C. Avery

(m. 2013)

Children 4, including Beyoncé and Solange Knowles[1]

Relatives Blue Ivy Carter (granddaughter)

Musical career

Labels Music World

 Website www.mathewknowles.com

Mathew Knowles (born January 9, 1952)[2] is an American record

executive, businessman and university lecturer.[3] He is best known for being the
manager of Destiny's Child. He also once managed the solo careers of his
daughters Beyoncé and Solange Knowles.
Knowles is the founder of Music World Entertainment, which
embraces country, gospel and children's music. Knowles is also an active and longtime
voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and
serves on its Grammy Board Committee.[citation needed]

Contents

 1Early life and education

 2Career
 3Teaching
 4Personal life
 5References
 6External links

Early life and education[edit]

Knowles was born in Gadsden, Alabama,[2] the son of Lou Helen Knowles (née Hogue)
and Matthew Q. Knowles (April 4, 1927 – December 30, 1996). [4] 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.[5] He
has an MBA in Strategic Planning and Organizational Culture from Cornerstone
Christian Bible College.[6][dubious  –  discuss]

Career[edit]
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 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. [7]
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. [8]
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. By 1997 he had
secured the group a label deal with Columbia Records and a feature on the Men in
Black soundtrack.[9] During this time, Knowles brought in producers such as Wyclef
Jean, Jermaine Dupri, and Master P to focus on a fusion of hip hop with R&B to cross
over to different audiences. 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. Billboard magazine
inducted the group into the All Time Hot 100 Artists. [10] Knowles also managed the solo
careers of Destiny's Child members Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland. Former
members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson once sued Knowles, accusing him of
misappropriating group funds.
In 2002, Knowles founded Spirit Rising Music, which became Music World Gospel. Its
artists include Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Brian Courtney Wilson, Juanita
Bynum, Le'Andria Johnson, Micah Stampley, 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 James McMurty, Johnny
Cash, Billy Joe Shaver, 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 Nick Jr’s popular cartoon
series, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!.
In addition to his work in music, Knowles was one of the executive producers of the
2009 movie Obsessed, which starred Beyoncé. He was also executive producer of, and
was 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 seminar where he taught music executives like Van Benson and other
successful students.[11]
In March 2018, Knowles joined the advisory board of Tunedly, an online recording
studio for songwriters.[12]
In July 2019, Knowles joined the cannabis and real-estate firm Bangi as its chief
marketing officer.[13] On October 25, Knowles announced via an Instagram video that he
would release an album featuring then-unreleased music from Destiny's Child's
childhood days as Girls Tyme.[14] 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.[15]
In February 2021, Knowles launched his iHeartRadio podcast "Mathew Knowles
Impact" and revealed his plans to retire from the music industry. [16]
In March 2022, Knowles sold Music World Entertainment Group to APX Capital Group.
Upon signing this deal, he became a member of APX's board of directors, and the
manager of a $275 million fund for film and television co-productions between the
United States and Italy.[17] One of the first projects under the agreement, The Mathew
Knowles Story, will tell the story of how Knowles guided Destiny's Child to success,
while also giving a behind-the-scenes look at the solo careers of his daughters Beyoncé
and Solange, as well as Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland. [18]

Teaching[edit]
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. [19] He currently holds a
professorship at University of Houston, Prairie View A&M University, and the Art
Institute.[20] Knowles joined the teaching staff at London College of Creative Media as a
visiting professor. In September 2022, a bursary scholarship was established in his
name.[21]

Personal life[edit]
Knowles married Tina Knowles in 1980.[22] 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.[23] On June 30, 2013, he married former model
Gena Avery.[24]
In October 2019, Knowles announced he had been diagnosed with male breast cancer.
[25]

References[edit]
1. ^ "Beyoncé Has More Siblings Than You Realize". Showbiz
Cheat Sheet. Retrieved May 23,  2021.
2. ^ Jump up to:a b Knowles in Mathew Knowles - My American
Story  (YouTube). BeyonceWorld9481. February 1, 2011.
Event occurs at 00:24. I grew up in Gadsden, Alabama. I was
born in 1952.
3. ^ Norment, Lynn (September 2001).  "The Untold Story of
How Tina & Mathew Knowles Created The Destiny's Child
Gold Mine – Interview".  Ebony. Retrieved March 4, 2010 –
via FindArticles.com.
4. ^ Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2015). Becoming Beyoncé: The
Untold Story. United States: Grand Central Publishing.
p. 16.  ISBN  978-1455516728.
5. ^ "Mathew Knowles Named to Fisk University Board of
Trustees".
6. ^ "Mathew Knowles".  uh.edu.
7. ^ "Beyoncé's dad, Mathew Knowles, diagnosed with breast
cancer". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved  June 24,  2021.
8. ^ "Mathew Knowles' Music World Entertainment Celebrates
Its 20th Anniversary". January 17, 2012.
9. ^ Patoski, Joe Nick (January 21, 2013).  "Money in the
Making". Texas Monthly. Retrieved  November 2, 2022.
10. ^ "Destiny's Child inducted into Billboard All Time Hot 100
Artists".  Billboard. August 2, 2013. Retrieved October
26,  2014.
 11. ^ Osorio, Kim (October 19, 2015). "Exclusive With Mathew
Knowles: Does Your Child Have What It Takes To Be
Beyonce".  Madamenoire.com.
12. ^ "Executive Turntable: Moves at TuneIn & Coalition Agency,
Additions to Tunedly Advisory Board". Billboard.
Retrieved May 20,  2018.
13. ^ "Mathew Knowles' latest venture involves marijuana
farms".  Page Six.
14. ^ "Mathew Knowles Is Dropping An Unreleased Destiny's
Child 'Girls Tyme' Album". BET.com. Retrieved  December
2, 2019.
15. ^ "Stream: Mathew Knowles Releases 'Destiny's Child: The
Untold Story Presents Girls Tyme' Album & Book - That
Grape Juice". thatgrapejuice.net. Retrieved  December
2, 2019.
16. ^ "Beyoncé's father, Mathew Knowles, to exit the music
industry". February 28, 2021.
17. ^ White, Peter (March 17, 2022).  "Mathew Knowles Sells
Music World Entertainment Group To APX Capital, Plots 'King
Richard'-Style Biopic As Part Of $275M Film & TV
Fund".  Deadline. Retrieved  March 19,  2022.
18. ^ Abraham, Mya (March 18, 2022). "Mathew Knowles
Embarks On His Own 'King Richard' Moment In
Hollywood". Vibe. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
19. ^ "Texas Southern University Establishes the Mathew
Knowles Institute". February 9, 2018.
20. ^ "Professor Knowles is Set to Teach at the University of
Houston — and Megastar Guests Will
Follow". papercitymag.com. October 13, 2020.
Retrieved May 23,  2021.
21. ^ "MATHEW KNOWLES JOINS TEACHING STAFF AT
LONDON MUSIC COLLEGE LCCM – AND THERE'S A FULL
SCHOLARSHIP NAMED AFTER HIM, TOO". MBW. March
16, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
22. ^ Perpetua, Matthew (December 19, 2011).  "Beyoncé's
Parents Finalize Divorce".  Rolling Stone.  Wenner Media.
Retrieved September 7, 2014.  The couple, who married in
1980, filed for divorce back in 2009.
23. ^ "Beyonce's Mom & Dad -- Finally Divorced ... for Real This
Time". TMZ.com. December 19, 2011. Retrieved  October
2, 2019.  The final decree of divorce was issued last month in
a Texas court, and according to documents — obtained by
TMZ — Beyonce's mom refiled on August 30. Tina's first
swing at the divorce was in November 2009 ... but the matter
was dropped in 2010 when they were both no-shows for
court.
24. ^ "Beyonce's father Mathew Knowles weds former model
Gena Charmaine Avery".  New York Daily News.
25. ^ "Interview: Mathew Knowles reveals he is battling breast
cancer: 'We need men to speak out'".  Good Morning
America. October 2, 2019.

External links[edit]
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