I thought this story sounded familiar, and that’s because it is. Back in October of last year, there was a big rumor that Beyonce was going to fire her dad-manager Matthew Knowles because of his lying, cheatin’ heart, and because of a then-pending paternity suit involving an LA actress named Alexsandra Wright. Well, as it turned out, Matthew was the baby-daddy, DNA tests confirmed. That happened back in March – and over the weekend, Page Six had another big story about how Bey and her daddy aren’t even speaking to each other anymore, and her management team at Columbia is beginning to worry.

Beyonce Knowles is still refusing to speak to her dad and manager, Matthew Knowles, after he fathered a love child with a woman 20 years his junior — and suits at her record label fear the rift could damage her career.

The superstar singer was horrified when it was alleged last year that Matthew had an 18-month affair with 38-year-old Alexsandra Wright and DNA tests confirmed he’d fathered her son, Nixon, while still married to Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles.

Now, sources tell Page Six that relations between Beyoncé, who is very close to her mom, and her father have reached such a low point that executives at her label, Columbia, are worried.

Matthew guided Beyoncé’s career through her days with Destiny’s Child and is still her manager. But one music industry insider said, “Beyoncé was horrified to find out her dad cheated on her mom. She always looked up to him, and she is very close to her mom, so this has hit her really hard. She is refusing to speak to him, which is making things difficult where it comes to managing her career. Some people at Columbia now think it would be better to move him aside.”

Former “Scrubs” actress Wright filed a paternity suit last October, and a DNA test taken in March confirmed that Knowles was the father of Nixon, who was born on Feb. 4. A judge ordered him to pay $8,200 a month in child support on an interim basis.

Wright, a Los Angeles-based branding executive, claimed that Matthew Knowles, who was married to Tina for 29 years, had an affair with her for a year and a half. Tina filed for divorce last November. Wright and Matthew are now in the final stages of negotiating a child support settlement.

A rep for Beyoncé said: “There is no merit to this. This is absolutely false.” Matthew Knowles didn’t get back to us.

[From Page Six]

I really don’t know. It’s not like these sources are coming out of Bey’s entourage, you know? She keeps her sh-t tight, so it seems like the gossip is coming out of her record label and their fears that Matthew’s drama is going to end up hurting Beyonce. They should be worried – Beyonce is one of their biggest money-makers, and they probably want to be involved in all of her decisions. But, just a guess, I think Matthew Knowles will not now, nor will he ever, go away quietly. He was a big part in getting Bey to where she is now, and he’s not going to step aside without it being some big deal. Plus, I’m not sure if I buy that he and Beyonce aren’t speaking. Their relationship has always seemed like she just does whatever he tells her to do. And I don’t see that changing.

In an official statement released yesterday, Kelly Rowland and Matthew Knowles (Beyonce’s father) announced that they were ending their “professional relationship.” Kelly has been under his management since her Destiny’s Child days, and he took over her career when she decided to go solo. Matthew also manages his daughters Beyonce and Solange, and another former Destiny’s Child member, Michelle Williams. He also started Music World, a record company that produces all of the music for his clients. The separation from Matthew Knowles will also mean a separation from his company.

In the joint statement, Kelly and Matthew try to curtail negative press by playing nice, but I’m not buying it:

“After a very positive meeting between Kelly Rowland and myself, we have amicably agreed to end our professional relationship. My company, Music World, will continue to manage Destiny’s Child as a group. As an artist Kelly has incredible talent and I only wish her the best. We will always be family first and foremost, and as a dad I only have love for Kelly.” – Mathew Knowles

“Mathew Knowles has been a positive influence in my career. I have had great success under his guidance – both as a member of Destiny’s Child and with my solo projects. Although we have decided to part ways professionally, the Knowles family and the entire Music World Entertainment team will always be my family.” – Kelly Rowland

[from That Grape Juice]

The split is especially surprising because Kelly considers Matthew to be a father, and he raised her as a daughter. During the Destiny’s Child days, Kelly actually lived in the Knowles house, and grew to think of them as her family. But it’s also true that Matthew Knowles does not have the best reputation. Like Joe Simpson, the father of Jessica and Ashlee, Matthew is known for being a bit of a hard ass. It takes a lot of tough love to raise successful superstar kids, but I’ve always heard that his temper got the best of him too often.

If Destiny’s Child decides to go back on tour – something they’re always hinting at – I wonder how they’ll handle it. He says that his company will manage the group, but the reunion will probably be tension-filled.

For anyone who’s interested, here’s the link to Matthew Knowles’ latest project. It’s a British girl group called “From Above” and they’re filming a reality show about their struggles to make it to the top. They’ll be releasing the show and their album sometime in 2009.

Matthew Knowles is shown on 8/21/08. Credit: PRPhotos Kelly Rowland is shown on 5/12/08 and 1/21/09. Credit: WENN

Beyonce’s father/Svengali Mathew Knowles is launching a line of hip-hop inspired toys for tots called Baby Jamz.

The venture offers a chance for children to combine their love of music with the ability to learn while reciting popular nursery rhymes, according to the Music World president and CEO, who revealed that Baby Jamz was inspired by his [Matthew Knowles’] grandson Juelz.

“Baby Jamz allows children to have toys that they can identify with and enjoy,” Knowles said in a statement. “Many children love music and dancing to Hip-Hop, so we have creatively combined great toys with the Hip-Hop versions of popular nursery rhymes.””

[From Hip Hop Elements]

All of the songs will be sung by Beyonce’s younger sister Solange, who’s son Juelz inspired the project. Juelz will also be the spokesbaby/model for the line of toys, appearing in the ads, packaging, and website for Baby Jamz. Matthew Knowles is also the creator of Kids Rap Radio. Apparently he’s a pioneer in creating child-friendly music. Who knew? Not that Beyonce’s stuff is ever offensive, but I really wouldn’t be a fan of my (hypothetical) kids singing “Bootylicious.” Okay that’s a lie; it would be funny as sin. That would be the problem, I’d tell them not to do that while laughing my butt off.

I think this is a very cool idea, but I’m wary of celebrity-created items. It doesn’t seem like many of them are actually created or designed by the celebrities themselves, they simply lend their name to the product. Didn’t that used to be called “celebrity endorsed?” The products are pretty cute, with musical cell phones and dance pads. Considering how much I hate my cell phone, I’m already thinking about switching. Plus this one will sound sorta like Beyonce!

Header image from AOL BlackVoices.