Jay-Z’s volatile relationship with Beyoncé’s sister Solange Knowles is well documented, but a source exclusively tells In Touch the pair are behaving civilly to each other these days and it’s a huge relief to the entire family.
“Jay isn’t exaggerating when he says he considers Solange his sister,” the source says. “He would do anything to help her and protect her, but, like any family, they have their disagreements.”
Some of the family’s “disagreements” have been hugely public, making headlines and continuing to spin off rumors about their relationship in the process. In 2014, the world watched grainy security camera footage of Solange, 38, hitting the “Empire State of Mind” rapper, 55, after a Met Gala afterparty, but the source assures it’s no big deal to them now.
“The big fight they had in the elevator a decade ago isn’t something they talk about openly, but they’ve 100 percent moved past it. Most people assume Solange was acting out of anger on Beyoncé’s behalf, but either way, it’s water under the bridge at this point.”
While the exact cause of Solange’s anger has never been officially confirmed, Jay has made a point to assure fans he’s not holding a grudge. “Jay and Solange each assume their share of responsibility for what has occurred. They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that has played out in the public. They both have apologized to each other, and we have moved forward as a united family,” read a joint statement released by the trio after speculation about what happened started to get out of hand. “We love each other, and above all, we are family. We’ve put this behind us and hope everyone else will do the same,” the statement concluded.
Additionally, Jay opened up about the incident in an interview with “Rap Radar” hosts Elliott Wilson and Brian “B.Dot” Miller in 2017, saying, “We’ve always had a great relationship.”
“We had one disagreement, ever. Before and after, we’ve been cool,” he continued. “She’s like my sister. I will protect her. That’s my sister, not my sister-in-law. My sister. Period.”
The New York native also tacitly addressed the incident and just about admitted to starting the fight in his song “Kill JAY-Z” on his album, 4:44.
“You egged Solange on / Knowin’ all along, all you had to say you was wrong,” his lyrics read.
The source says that, regardless of who provoked who that night, Jay respects the fact that she stood up to him, though perhaps the fisticuffs weren’t totally necessary when words would have sufficed, as his song states.
“One thing about Solange, she’s never afraid to speak her mind,” the insider says, “and unlike a lot of people in Jay’s world, she’s always willing to call him out if she doesn’t agree with what he’s saying or doing.”
“He insists that he appreciates that about her because he knows he can always count on her to be real. Not to say it didn’t take time and effort, there were a lot of family meetings and apologies on both sides, but they worked through it and by all accounts came out stronger as a family.”
