There was a telling question in Beyoncé’s interview with her little sister Solange that was published in Interview magazine last year. “You have an ability to see things before they happen,” Beyoncé said, citing Solange’s talent for identifying the best new artists, designers and DJs, “two years in advance… how do you do that?”

The question itself proved to be more revealing than any answer that Solange could’ve given – because when you’ve got Beyoncé jealous (familial relationship or not) you must be doing something right. For many music types, Solange has long been the Knowles sister that’s slightly ahead of the curve. Ever since the release of her 2008 effort Sol-Angel And The Hadley St. Dreams, a record that wore its Motown influences loudly and proudly with collaborators like Cee-Lo Green and Mark Ronson helping to bring the funk, she has received all the critical acclaim that journalists could muster, even if the commercial success wasn’t entirely immediate.

Maybe it was a sibling rivalry thing, a case of having to work twice as hard to be half as heard, but Solange’s story is one of fierce determination. A ridiculously gifted all-rounder, in addition to writing and performing, she also co-produces her material and devises her own choreography. To date she has released three albums, as well as 2012’s excellent True EP – all of which have been unique records in their own way.