Mathew Knowles Clarifies Jagged Edge Harassment Accusations

BY Erika Marie 4.9K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Frank Micelotta / Staff / Getty Images
Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé, Mathew Knowles, Michelle Williams
He does, however, stand by his story.

The internet lit up at the news that Mathew Knowles has released a tell-all. Beyoncé and Solange's father shared his book Destiny's Child: The Untold Story at the top of December, and to help promote its release, Mathew sat down with VladTV. The interview was broken up into multiple sections where Mathew can be seen sharing intimate details about the chart-topping girl group he managed for years.

Brenda Chase / Stringer / Getty Images

At one point, Mathew shared a story about having to put R&B quartet Jagged Edge in their place over their treatment of Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland while on tour. "They're 16-years-old the guys are 21, 22-years-old... I got a call from Kelly and Beyoncé—and I talk about this in the book in detail—saying that they were constantly being harassed by two other members of Jagged Edge," Mathew said. "I couldn't have that."

The soundbite caused media outlets to report that the singer's sexually harassed the girls, although that isn't specifically what Mathew said. The group took to their social media pages to deny the allegations, and in a comment, it was suggested that Jagged Edge contacted their lawyers. Mathew felt compelled to clarify his previous remarks by issuing a statement to Page Six.

“I feel the need to clarify that I did not say the girls were sexually harassed while on tour with Jagged Edge in the 2000s. I said ‘harassed,’ ” he stated. “The term ‘sexual harassment’ may imply to some to mean physical advances. I would classify the harassment they encountered more as unwelcome and inappropriate remarks to minors from adults who should have known better.” There you have it.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.