Beyoncé and Jay-Z are music's golden couple, with a combined net worth of nearly $1.5 billion. They fly on a private jet, boat on a private yacht, and holiday on a private island.
But let's go back 20 or so years and have a look at what was going on when they met. Beyoncé was the lead singer of Destiny's Child, one of éthe most successful female groups ever. And Jay-Z was no slouch, having already founded Roc-A-Fella records in 1995 and the clothing line Rocawear in 1999.
The official story is that they met "by accident" on a plane going to an MTV festival in 2000. It was the collision of two very different worlds, Beyoncé nice middle-class one, and Jay-Z's street-savvy, up from the ghetto life.
Beyoncé's father, Matthew Knowles, also managed Beyoncé and Destiny's Child. And the word was he wasn't exactly thrilled by the prospect of his baby girl/meal ticket hooking up with the rapper why? It's complicated, both personal and professional. But let's just say that the unpredictable Knowles was wary of Jay-Z on both a personal and professional level. And maybe he was a little jealous.
So, what's the real story of exactly what Matthew Knowles thought of Jay-Z and Beyoncé's relationship? It's both complicated and simple. Read on.
Jay-Z And Beyoncé: Two Worlds Collide
Jay-Z grew up on the streets of Brooklyn's Mercy Housing Project. It was a violent, drug-ridden kind of place. His father deserted his mother Gloria Carter when Jay-Z was 11. When he was 12-years-old, Jay-Z shot his brother in a dispute over a ring. For a time, Jay-Z was a drug dealer. It was anything thing for a buck in those days. Then in 1999, he got off with probation after he pleaded guilty to stabbing record producer Lance Rivera. Seems Hova thought Lance had done a bootleg release of one of his albums. And he was mad. And on the streets, knives and guns often do the talking
Beyoncé, in stark contrast, was born into a middle-class family in Houston, Texas. Her mom Tina Knowles (née Beyoncé) owned a salon and her dad Matthew was a sales manager. She did the middle-class Montessori School thing and was a soloist in the choir of her family's Methodist Church. It was the total middle-class experience.
Then that fateful meeting with Jay-Z in 2000. Beyoncé was around 18-years-old and Jay-Z was some 12 years older. He was edgy hip-hop and she was polished and glamourous. On paper, it didn't seem much of a match. But perhaps it was a case of opposites attract. Maybe Jay-Z wanted to polish up his image. Perhaps Beyoncé was drawn to his hard on the outside, soft on the inside personality.
By 2002, an edgier Beyoncé and Jay-Z collaborated on the 03, Bonnie and Clyde album.
Reportedly, Matthew Knowles sat up and took notice when Jay-Z came on the scene.
Matthew Knowles Didn't Like Jay-Z
Before Jay-Z came along, Matthew Knowles had long since given up sale and was managing Destiny's Child. It was, to say the least, a nice little earner. Rumors about his "liberating" some of Beyoncé's funds means that having Jay-Z on the scene looking over his shoulder could have been a threat to Knowles.
Plus, it is well known that Hova wanted Bey to project an edgier image. Matthew objected. Did dad feel threatened? Almost certainly, on both a personal and professional level.
It's not surprising that, long before the couple was married, Matthew went on record saying he wasn't fond of the rapper. No, he didn't want to spend time with the guy. He reportedly said: "I don't care for him at all. No, I'm not close to him. He is not somebody I like to spend time with." Well, that's pretty clear.
It's true that Matthew felt threatened by Jay-Z and his influence over Bey. And rumor has it that Matthew was concerned about Jay-Z's background, his ghetto upbringing. The idea that his little earner, girl, was hanging out with a guy from the 'Hood who was a former drug dealer can't have gone down well. Add to all of that the fact Jay-Z was 12 years older than Bey and you have an awkward situation. Even her fans had their doubts about the relationship.
But, as the world knows, they persevered, announcing they were a couple around 2004 and finally marrying in 2008. Word on the street is that Bey is estranged from her dad. Something about his cheating on her mom and her money that maybe became his money.
It hasn't all been clear sailing.
That Elevator Battle With Solange
Sure, it was 2014, years after they married. But the fact that Solange attacked Jay-Z in an elevator after the Met Gala speaks volumes. Her family has never really and truly liked the guy. Maybe the attack was about his "alleged" cheating, but all that anger and resentment had to have come from somewhere.
And these days? Bey and Jay-Z appear to be solid. Even Matthew Knowles has to be impressed by his son-in-law. After all, he is a billionaire and he reportedly makes Queen B very happy. And that's what counts in the end.
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