Mathew Knowles Biography

Mathew Knowles is the founder, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment (MWE), which has 0ffices in Houston and New York City. MWE is one of the world’s leading music and entertainment conglomerates, with record sales exceeding 300 million worldwide.

Before Knowles became a star-maker and music business innovator, he had a distinguished career in sales of office and medical equipment. Knowles moved to Houston in 1976 and began working for the Xerox Corporation, where he had highly successful 10-year tenure, primarily as part of an elite sales force in the medical systems sales division. Knowles was the number one sales representative for medical systems for three of the four years worldwide where he worked in that division.

When Xerox closed its medical systems sales division, Knowles worked as a CT/MRI specialist, selling diagnostic imaging equipment to hospitals and health facilities, for two other major medical equipment companies. He also worked as a neurosurgical specialist, where he provided neurosurgeons with a wide range of devices and solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. In 1992, Knowles left his career in corporate and medical sales to turn his attention full time to his growing music company.

Knowles is widely recognized in the entertainment industry for his effective approach to developing and promoting award-winning artists. Through Music World Entertainment and Artist Management, he has served as executive producer for more than 100 award-winning, platinum and gold albums in multiple genres, including pop, R&B, gospel, dance, and country, as well as soundtracks and special themed projects. Destiny’s Child was named the Best Selling Female Group of All Time in popular music, selling over 100 million records and collecting nearly 200 awards, including GRAMMY Awards, World Music Awards, American Music Awards, MTV Awards (U.S., Europe and Asia), Billboard Awards, BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and countless others. Billboard magazine ranked the group as one of the Greatest Trios of All Time and, in 2008, inducted them into the All Time Hot 100 Artists. Destiny’s Child was named on Billboard magazine’s Top 10 Artists of the Decade (2000- 2009) and, as a solo artist, Beyoncé was crowned Billboard’s number one Artist of the Decade—Female (2000-2009) and number 4 Top Artist of the Decade (2000-2009.

As an international business leader, Knowles also established joint ventures with Sony Music, Interscope/Geffen, Fontana/Universal, Integrity Africa, Fontana International and Sony Brazil. In addition, Knowles has negotiated mega endorsement deals and strategic partnerships with Fortune 50, 100 and 500 corporations across various industries, including Wal-Mart, AOL, BET, The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, ESSENCE Communications, American Express, L’Oreal, General Mills, Verizon, Pepsico (Pepsi), McDonald’s, Nintendo, Giorgio Armani (Emporio Armani Diamonds), DirecTV, Chesebrough-Ponds (Vaseline), Ocean Pacific, Soft Sheen-Carson, Crystal Geyser, Samantha Thavasa and others.

Music World Music has received recognition and accolades within the industry for its astounding success. It was crowned one of the Top Imprint Labels of the Decade (2000-2009) by Billboard magazine. With hits across the music landscape—from Top 40, to R&B, to hip hop, to gospel, Music World Music was also named the #1 Dance Imprint Label in the world by Billboard magazine 2009.

Knowles’ successful track record has expanded to include film and television. He is executive producer of the #1 box office hit, Obsessed. Knowles also executive produced and is featured in two international reality series: UK’s #1 rated show, Chancers, and the new series Breaking From Above, a six-episode program based on the British girl group From Above and their struggles to stay on top. The series airs on MTV International and can be viewed in over 160 countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Hungary, Asia, Portugal, Greece, Poland, and Latin America.

In 2005 the female apparel, House of Dereon was founded by Tina and Beyonce’ Knowles. As Chief Marketing Officer, Knowles’ role meant building the House of Dereon brand, which he built into a worldwide success. Knowles’ understood the power of the brand and marketed it by focusing on the three generations, Agnes Dereon who was a prominent seamstress in the early to mid 50’s in the heyday of Galveston, Texas before the great hurricane. Tina, the youngest of 6, was always drawn to anything creative and learned all that she could from her mother. Beyonce’, well do we have to say more? From those three generations of creative empowering women was created. The tag line, House of Dereon: Couture, Kick, Soul, with Tina as head designer and couture, Beyonce’ the kick and the face of the brand and Agnes the soul of the brand.

Knowles has had a number of strategic partnerships over the years and knows the importance of branding and endorsements. Having hedged numerous partnerships which include American Express, Pepsi, Samsung, L’Oréal, Walmart, Nintendo, Direct TV, Armani, Coty, Crystal Geyser (Japan), Samantha Thavesa (Japan), Tommy Hilfiger, H&M (Europe), and C&A (Brazil) to name a few.

Philanthropy has always been part of Music World Entertainment’s corporate responsibility and has always been important to Mathew Knowles. Along with Tina Knowles, and daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, he established the “Survivor Foundation,” "The Knowles Rowland Center" and the "Knowles-Temenos Place Apartments” (St. Johns Church, Downtown Houston), an apartment complex for homeless individuals that provides affordable housing, supportive services, and employment resources to people who are on their journey to self-sufficiency. The Knowles also built two homes in Houston for Habitat for Humanity. In addition, the family has donated to numerous non-profit organizations throughout the world.

Knowles has garnered countless awards for his achievements in business, the music industry, and community partnerships. He is the winner of an MTV Video Music Award. He is the recipient of the Century Award of Excellence (1911-2011) from the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He also received the 2011 Living Legends Foundation Award. He was named the "2007 International Executive of the Year" by the Greater Houston Partnership, and was honored by the City of Houston with the declaration of “Mathew Knowles Day."

Born in Gadsden, Alabama, in 1952, Knowles is a 1974 graduate of Fisk University, where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was bestowed with the honor of Doctor of Humane Letters from his alma mater at the University’s 2008 Commencement Ceremony. Knowles also holds a MBA in Strategic Planning and Organizational Culture, from Cornerstone Christian Bible College. Knowles holds a professorship at Texas Southern University, where he teaches courses on the entertainment industry in the School of Communications and also Entrepreneurship in The School of Business. He also has been a popular keynote speaker and guest lecturer at colleges, universities and various organizations throughout the country, including Rice University, University of Southern California, Berklee College of Music, The Learning Annex, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, Billboard Music & Money Symposium, The Power of Diversity Leadership Panel Discussion, E Women’s Network and numerous others.

Knowles is also the proud author of the number one best seller book The DNA of Achievers which talks about the 10 Traits of Successful Professionals. As a self-made entrepreneurial success story who came from a small town and became the top salesperson at Xerox Medical System, sold successful businesses he created, and became one of the world’s top entertainment managers and executives in the music industry, Knowles enjoys motivating and inspiring others by sharing his knowledge and experience.

As a renowned expert and highly sought-after speaker, Mathew Knowles's expertise is in high demand. To book Mathew Knowles for your next event, conference, or workshop, please contact our speaker booking agency. Our experienced team will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and help secure Mathew Knowles's participation. With our professional guidance and seamless booking process, you can ensure a memorable and impactful experience for your audience. Don't miss the opportunity to engage your audience with Mathew Knowles's compelling insights and inspire positive change within your organization. Fill out the booking request form to take the first step in securing Mathew Knowles for your next speaking engagement.