Solange Knowles’ 10 Greatest Hits (No Pun Intended): The Idolator Playlist

Mike Wass | May 13, 2014 12:24 pm

Solange Knowlespost-Met Gala elevator throwdown with Jay Z is already the thing of pop culture legend. The footage, which was unearthed by TMZ yesterday (May 12), raises so many questions. What did Hov say that so enraged Solo? Why was Beyonce more concerned about the state of her admittedly flawless gown than the frenzied fisticuffs going on around her? Does their bodyguard now get danger money?

While we wait for answers to these questions (it could take a minute), let’s celebrate the one good thing to emerge from the chaos. The uninitiated are finally expressing interest in Solange’s music. Given her status as an indie-pop darling, it’s easy to forget that the 27-year-old is yet to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains something of a mystery to the general public. As a fan since the dark days of Solo Star, I’ve put together a playlist for the R&B’s diva’s best tunes. Get into it after the jump.

“I Decided (Freemasons Remix)” — Solange Knowles

After missing the mark commercially and creatively on 2003 debut LP Solo Star, Bey’s little sister finally came into her own on 2008’s critically acclaimed Sol-Angel And The Hadley Street Dreams. The retro-R&B sound was a revelation and lead single “I Decided” because a blog and club favorite.

“Losing You” — Solange Knowles

This lead single from last year’s True EP is pretty close to the perfect pop song. It’s nuanced, elegantly produced (by Dev Hynes) and jam-packed with bitterness and regret. The video, which was filmed in South Africa, (above) is also a work of genius.

“Electric Lady” — Janelle Monae feat. Solange Knowles

Solange teamed up with soul siren Janelle Monae for the title track of her most recent LP. This sprawling five-minute anthem serves ’80s Prince better than anyone since the purple one himself.

“When The Night Falls” — Chromeo feat. Solange Knowles

The first of two killer collabs with Canadian synth-pop duo Chromeo, 2010’s dark disco adventure “When The Night Falls” was at least four years ahead of the current retro-dance trend and remains a party-starting favorite.

“Simply Deep” — Kelly Rowland feat. Solange Knowles

Solo cut her teeth as a songwriter in 2002 by penning the title track of Kelly Rowland‘s debut album Simply Deep. She also lends her voice to the soulful ballad, which finds the divas trading vocal blows. It’s still lovely after all these years.

“Sandcastle Disco” — Solange Knowles

Possibly my favorite song in the singer’s catalogue, the second single from Hadley Street Dreams explores R&B sub-genres from the 1950s onward with the rigor of a scholar while still delivering a glorious pop chorus.

“Some Things Never Seem To Fucking Work” — Solange Knowles

I’m still mad this wasn’t released as a single from True. The title says it all. This is the perfect soundtrack for a very bad day.

“Lost On The Way” — Chromeo feat. Solange Knowles

Solange’s second feature on a Chromeo track is just as good as her first. Taken from the duo’s imminent White Women LP, “Lost On The Way” is perfect electronic chill-out music for your next lazy afternoon or after-party. They need to do a full album today.

“T.O.N.Y.” — Solange Knowles

Basically copy and paste what I said about “I Decided” and “Sandcastle Disco”. This gorgeous retro-R&B gem deserved major radio play but had to settle for becoming an unexpected dance hit when club remixes were commissioned. It still holds up.

“Proud Family” — Destiny’s Child feat. Solange Knowles

Given the current controversy surrounding the Knowles sisters, I can’t think of a better way to end this playlist than with this adorable ode to family. The theme song from an animated TV show than ran in the early ’00s, “Proud Family” finds Solo and Destiny’s Child at their most playful and cute.

What’s your favorite Solange track? Let us know in the comments. And for more about the Solo-Hov blame game that has nearly broken the Internet following the fracas, click play below:

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