[caption id="attachment_12791" align="aligncenter" width="575" caption="Solange for Rimmel - And no the ladies of RuPaul's "Drag U" didn't school me on giving face..."][/caption]

It's been over eight years since a bright red braids rocking Solange released her debut album, Solo Star, a cute collection of urban tinged pop fare that yielded the minor R&B hit, "Feelin' You". And while she admittedly bested many of her contemporaries---some of whom found major success---her talents as a singer and songwriter were hit with an onslaught of rather lazy comparisons to her Grammy Award-winning older sister Beyonce---who at the time was the front woman of the multi-platinum girl group Destiny's Child, and five months away from staging her solo career (we all know how that turned out). Add to that a slew of hateful and hurtful jabs, and you have a hard road for a passionate new artist trying to breakthrough.

In the spirit of younger sisters caught behind a megastar sibling---Ashlee Simpson, Dannii Minogue and even Janet Jackson---Knowles has had the seemingly daunting task of finding her own success left of her sister's shadow.

Fast forward to 2011, and she's managed to move into her own light: She's the mother of a 6 year old son, Daniel; released her critically acclaimed sophomore album, "Sol Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams" (featuring "I Decided", "Sandcastle Disco" and "T.O.N.Y"---all 1# Billboard Dance Hits) in 2008; became a noted DJ, serves as the face of cosmetic brands Carol's Daughter and Rimmel London, and is now gearing up for a new album---all done on her own terms.

Justin Joseph: Let's talk music. First off the DJ-ing gig you have going on is killer. I have been to your parties, and I have to say I respect your skill.

SK: (smiling) Thank You, Thank You

JJ: It's been nearly three years since your sophomore album, are we gonna get another album?

SK: Yes you are

JJ: We need a date!

SK: You know what I keep giving dates. I'm just gonna stop doing that, cause I'm setting myself up.

JJ: Ugh! What's holding up the process? [insert sad puppy face]

SK: For me, [as] a writer, I'm going to research whatever topic and subject I'm going to write about. [As] an artist, I'm going to travel and try to find that inspiration. That is what we're lacking right now. Preparation. The industry is wanting the turnaround [on music] so quickly, because they believe when you turnaround the albums really quickly, people [will] buy them.

JJ: Which isn't true.

SK: Well for some it works

JJ: Okay for SOME, but certainly not new artists, right?

SK: For some newer artist it works. But for me its all about living so I can have something to write about. It took me a while to write this album. I usually draw from relationships, whether they be friends, boyfriend or whatever. For the first time in my writing career, I've been in a really happy, healthy relationship, and I have found the writing process has been a little difficult for me.

JJ: Really?

SK: I didn't know that [my] pain, frustration, [and] insecurities inspired [my music], and happiness has inspired it in a different way. It's very hard to write an album full of happiness without it sounding like the soundtrack for...

JJ: (interrupting) So you're basically suffering from the Mary J. Blige "No More Drama" dilemma? (laughing)

SK: (laughing) No dilemma. Throughout the process, I've found so many other areas that I needed to work on, and I was able to do that through my music. It took some time, now the album is written. I'm just recording and mixing.

JJ: So, I have to ask...There has been some rather "spirited" (read: negative) commentary from fans on Twitter, message boards etc. about your sister's new material, what do you think of it all?

SK: I think it's a brave evolution for her. I'm extremely proud of her. I don't think my sister really cares about message boards (laughing).

Miss Solange rocks a Carol's Daughter event in NYC recently. Yes! The hair! Love ya, girl!