Los Angeles, February 7: Singer Beyonce Knowles father, Mathew Knowles said artists such as his daughter are successful because they have a light-coloured skin. In an interview with Ebony magazine, the music icon's father and the former manager said her ethnicity helped her rule the mainstream music charts.

"When it comes to black females, who are the people who get their music played on the pop radio? Mariah Carey, Rihanna, the female rapper Nicki Minaj, my kids (Beyonce and Solange), and what do they all have in common?"

When the interviewer asked if it was because they had a lighter complexion, Mathew replied with a question, "Do you think that's an accident?"

Beyonce's father was instrumental in Destiny's Child's rise and also managed the "Lemonade" singer's solo career until 2011. They parted ways professionally shortly after he split from Tina. Beyonce has often talked about rebuilding her relationship with Mathew since his separation from Tina. The father-daughter duo has since appeared in photos together on social media.