Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, Beyoncé's little sister, Solange Knowles, released a debut album on the same label as her sister.

Solo Star was moderately successful, but didn't exactly pave a road to stardom. So, Solange got married, had a son and wrote songs for women like Destiny's Child, Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland — and Beyoncé.

She did not, however, live happily ever after.

Now, Solange has divorced her husband, signed with Geffen Records and moved to Los Angeles to record her next album, due in spring 2008, entitled either Hadley Street Dreams or Just What I Want, depending on which article you read. What is not in question is that the recording will sound nothing like big sis.

Ron Fair, chairman of Geffen, says, "Her record is totally bananas. It's not what people would expect from her. The music is more eclectic and international. She's in her own lane." That's good, right?

Here's what Solange has to say about the project.

"I am now almost finishing up my sophomore album which has been such a beautiful journey. I've had the oppurtunity [sic] to have creative control and really experiment with different sounds and genres I have grown to love and respect over the year[sic]. I've been able to write about my dreams both broken and aspiring to come through...and learning and maturing through out [sic] that process. I've been able to work with some wonderful prooducers [sic] and artists and I'm still in the works to work with more... I've fused downbeat electronica with 70s soul and the outcome has been thrilling."

Um, OK. Actually, she goes on to say more, but I can't bring myself to read it.

That Grape Juice has links to two tracks from the album online. In keeping with the spirit of the season, I'll just say this: it sounds nothing like big sis.

Solange has also been busy promoting Baby Jamz, "the first ever hip-hop/rhythm-inspired toy line for babies, toddlers and preschoolers," owned by her dad, Matthew Knowles. Let's hope that if Baby Jamz starts a clothing line, the company stays miles away from the Knowles sisters' stylists.

Are you a Solange fan? Do you think she'll be overshadowed by her sis, no matter what she does? And what do you think about the two tracks — am I just totally becoming a music fuddy-duddy?