In a refreshing sit-down with Carlos King, Mathew Knowles reflects on discovering Beyoncé’s star power when she was just six years old, the creation of Destiny’s Child, and the extraordinary rise that turned his daughter into one of the biggest icons in music history.
While speaking about the topic of Bey, Carlos took Mathew Knowles down memory lane and asked him why Beyoncé and fellow powerhouse singer Alicia Keys never put out the full music video for their song “Put It In A Love Song.”
The former manager gave a surprising response, revealing that that video, which was shot in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – couldn’t move forward cause of “gangsters.”
“They were in the projects, hood, ghetto in Rio, and Sony Records hadn’t paid the gangsters. They had to be helicoptered out of there,” the 73-year-old shared.
“Put It in a Love Song” — what really happened
“Put It In A Love Song” was released as a collaboration between Alicia Keys and Beyoncé during the era of Keys’ The Element of Freedom. It was sent to radio in January 2010. A music video was filmed in Rio, including in favelas (Santa Marta, Morro da Conceição) and at a sambadrome, directed by Melina Matsoukas. But for years fans have wondered why that video never got an official full release.
Alicia Keys has addressed the mystery before, saying that while “we had a ball doing the video … you saw pictures,” the visuals “didn’t quite capture the energy that I think that we really intended it to,” so they decided to hold back. Some outlets also speculate that logistical and safety issues on location played a role. Thus, the video remains a sort of “lost” visual — teased, rumored, but never officially released in full.
Mathew Knowles’ pivotal role in Beyoncé’s ascent
Knowles didn’t just discover Beyoncé’s talent at age six; he built the scaffolding for her meteoric rise. From managing her early gigs to assembling and steering Destiny’s Child, he shaped the environment that allowed Beyoncé to flourish. His strategic decisions regarding branding, production, and group formation gave her the platform she needed to break out. Over time, as her star eclipsed even the group, Beyoncé assumed even greater creative control — but much of the groundwork came from her early support system, of which Knowles was central.
Why Destiny’s Child stayed together — and what he said about Michelle Williams & Blue Ivy
In the same interview, Knowles gives props to Michelle Williams for being the glue that kept Destiny’s Child intact during turbulent times. He credits her professionalism, adaptability, and temperament as key factors in stabilizing the trio.
He also draws a parallel between Beyoncé’s daughter, Blue Ivy, and her mother, noting that Blue shows the same hard-working mentality — a drive, discipline, and sense of responsibility that echoes Beyoncé’s own. In Knowles’ telling, it’s not just inherited talent, but inherited work ethic; the kind that fuels longevity in an industry that chews up many bright stars.
Watch the full interview here