Tina Knowles-Lawson Says Beyoncé's Uncle Johnny "Smiles From Heaven" About "Renaissance"

Beyoncé's latest album is especially important to her family. Ahead of "Renaissance"'s July 29 release, Beyoncé shared the liner notes, which included a photo of her late uncle sitting with her mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson. The singer gave her uncle Johnny, also sometimes spelled Jonny, special thanks for informing her musical taste growing up. On the day the album was released, Knowles-Lawson reminisced and shared her appreciation for Beyoncé's kind gesture.

"This dedication was beautiful," she wrote on Instagram. Knowles-Lawson was the youngest of seven children and Johnny was actually his nephew, but because they were so close in age, Beyoncé considered him more of an uncle than a cousin, which he actually was. In the photo shared in the liner notes, Knowles-Lawson is 38 and Johnny is 40. The two are at a club and Knowles-Lawson is wearing a dress Johnny made for her. "That's my Lena Horne look," she said.

Knowles-Lawson was originally worried that she couldn't find an old photo with Johnny when Beyoncé's management company Parkwood Entertainment called, but this one was right on top of the first photo box I got. she opened. "Johnny gave me this photo, he put it there, from heaven."

Knowles-Lawson said she and her nephew were inseparable growing up: "Johnny was the closest human being to me in the world." She said he would later become her nanny, housekeeper, designer and dance partner. In her liner notes, Beyoncé also referred to her as her "godmother." Knowles-Lawson added, "When he died, part of me left with him."

Beyoncé once referenced her uncle's death from HIV in a speech at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards. "He lived his truth. He was brave and unabashed in a time when this country was not accepting," had she said at the time. “Witnessing her battle with HIV was one of the most painful experiences I have ever had. I hope her struggles serve to open pathways for other young people to live more freely.”< /p>

"I wish you were here to dance with me."

In addition to his love for house music, Johnny also passed on his taste for fashion. "Solange and Beyonce adored him. He helped me raise them," Knowles-Lawson said. "And influenced their sense of style and uniqueness!" Johnny even made Beyoncé's prom dress, which is referenced in "Heated" on the new album: "Uncle Johnny made my dress." Knowles-Lawson added: "He's smiling from heaven at Bey right now! To say you did that Mrs. Thing!! We love you Johnny and miss you constantly... Wish you were here to dance with me, we would rip it!!!!!!!!"

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