How Mathew Knowles Reacted to Jay-Z and Solange’s Elevator Fight
Things between Jay-Z and Solange may be cool now, but in 2014, cameras caught them having a huge fight. Solange was seen beating and kicking Jay-Z as her sister, Beyoncé, stood quietly and watched. The footage stunned fans around the world — and even some people closest to the trio.
Here’s how Beyoncé and Solange’s dad, Mathew Knowles, reacted upon seeing the footage.
Mathew Knowles recently opened up about the elevator brawl
In a December 2019 interview with VladTV, Knowles shared his reaction to seeing his daughter attack Jay-Z. The trio had been leaving an after-party for the 2014 Met Gala and was on an elevator when the attack occurred. (The footage of the fight was provided to TMZ, which then shared it to the public.)
“I’ve said numerous times in interviews that I really cracked up laughing [after seeing the footage] ’cause I just know Solange and her personality,” Knowles explained. “She’s a firecracker at times.”
“What was funny was the personalities,” Knowles continued. “Beyoncé is there all calm and collected, and Jay and Solange are having their differences. Then it’s lights, camera, and it’s time to go to work.”
He went on to praise Jay-Z for remaining calm and doing “what a man is supposed to do” in such situations. Knowles also noted that he has “never” asked Solange about the altercation.
What have Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Solange said about the elevator fight?
Shortly after the incident, the trio gave a joint statement to The Associated Press that said:
“As a result of the public release of the elevator security footage from Monday, May 5th, there has been a great deal of speculation about what triggered the unfortunate incident. But the most important thing is that our family has worked through it.”
“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.”
“The reports of Solange being intoxicated or displaying erratic behavior throughout that evening are simply false. At the end of the day families have problems and we’re no different. We love each other and above all we are family. We’ve put this behind us and hope everyone else will do the same.”
It’s unclear why Solange attacked Jay-Z
They’ve never provided a reason for the outburst. But it’s long been rumored that Solange attacked her brother-in-law for allegedly cheating on Beyoncé.
Both Beyoncé and Jay-Z seemed to give light to those rumors in later musical projects. In 2016’s Lemonade, Beyoncé seemed to drop hints that she’d been cheated on; Jay-Z confirmed that he’d been unfaithful in his 2017 album, 4:44.
But they moved past their struggles and are still together, as of writing.
Jay-Z told the New York Times Magazine in November 2017, “[I was] really proud of the music she made, and she was really proud of the art I released. And, you know, at the end of the day we really have a healthy respect for one another’s craft. I think she’s amazing.”
He also told the Rap Radar podcast in 2017 that he and Solange are doing great.
“We had one disagreement ever,” he said, seemingly alluding to the elevator fight. “Before and after we’ve been cool. She’s like my sister. I will protect her. That’s my sister, not my sister-in-law, my sister.”
