Beyoncé Giselle Knowles (born September 4, 1981), often known by the mononym Beyoncé (pronounced /biˈjɒnseɪ/ bee-YON-say), is an American recording artist, actress and fashion designer. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child. Knowles rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time.
During the hiatus of Destiny's Child, Knowles released her debut solo album Dangerously in Love in 2003, which spawned the number one hits "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy" and became one of the most successful albums of that year, earning her a then record-tying five Grammy Awards.[2] Following the group's disbandment in 2005, Knowles released her second solo album, B'Day in 2006. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and included the hits "Irreplaceable" and "Beautiful Liar". Her third solo album I Am... Sasha Fierce was released in 2008, and included the anthemic "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", which achieved fame for its intricate choreography, prompting a legion of imitations and parodies from men and women all around the world. The album earned Knowles six Grammys at the 52nd Grammy Awards, breaking the record for most Grammy Awards won by a female artist in one night.[3][4]
At the age of eight, Knowles met LaTavia Roberson while in an audition for an all-girl entertainment group.[24] They, along with Knowles' friend Kelly Rowland, were placed into a group that performed rapping and dancing. Originally named Girl's Tyme, they were eventually cut down to six members.[17] West coast R&B producer Arne Frager flew into Houston to see them. He eventually brought them to his studio, The Plant Recording Studios, in Northern California, with Knowles' vocals being featured.[17] As part of efforts to sign Girl's Tyme to a major label record deal, Frager's strategy was to début them in Star Search, the biggest talent show on national TV that time.[17] Girl's Tyme participated in the competition but lost it because the song they performed was not good, Knowles herself admitted.[25][26] Knowles had her first "professional setback" after that defeat but regained confidence after learning that pop stars Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake had also the same experience.[17] To manage the group, Knowles' father (who was at that time a medical-equipment salesman) resigned in 1995 from his job.[27] He dedicated his time and established a "boot camp" for their training.[28] The move reduced Knowles' family's income by half and her parents were forced to move into separated apartments.[16] Not long after the inclusion of Rowland, Mathew cut the original lineup to four,[17] with LeToya Luckett joining in 1993.[24] Rehearsing in Tina's Headliners Salon and their backyards, the group continued performing as an opening act for other established R&B girl groups of the time;[24] Tina contributed to the cause by designing their costumes, which she continued to do throughout the Destiny's Child era. With the continued support of Mathew, they auditioned before record labels and were finally signed to Elektra Records. They moved to Atlanta to work on their first recording, only to be cut by the record company in 1995. They would return home to start over again.[16] This would put a strain on the Knowles, and Beyoncé's parents separated briefly when she was 14. In 1996, the family reunited, and to coincide with that, the girls got a contract with Columbia Records.[18]
Life and career
1981–1996: Early life and career beginnings
Knowles was born in Houston, Texas, the daughter of Mathew Knowles, a professional record manager, and Tina Knowles (née Beyincé), a costume designer and hair stylist. Knowles' father is African American and her mother is of Creole (African, Native American, and French) descent.[16] Knowles was baptized after her mother's maiden name, as a tribute to her mother.[16] She is the elder sister of Solange, a singer-songwriter and actress.
1997–2001: Destiny's Child era and depression
Main article: Destiny's Child
2002–04: Solo career, films, and Dangerously in Love
2004–07: Destiny's Child reunion, films, and B'Day
2008–09: Marriage, I Am... Sasha Fierce, and films
2010–present: Untitled fourth studio album
In January 2010, Knowles was interviewed by USA Today and announced plans to take a break from music in 2010. She stated, "it's definitely time to take a break, to recharge my batteries. ... I'd like to take about six months and not go into the studio. I need to just live life, to be inspired by things again."[101] During this time, a 60 Minutes segment aired, revealing Knowles was homeschooled as a child and prays before every performance.[102] In February 2010, she featured on Lady Gaga's song, "Telephone". The song reached number one on the US Pop Songs chart, thus becoming the sixth number-one on the chart for both Knowles and Gaga. With this, they both tied with Mariah Carey for most number-ones since the Nielsen BDS-based Top 40 airplay chart launched in 1992.[103] It received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 53rd Grammy Awards.[104]
Artistry
Music and voice
Knowles' music is generally contemporary R&B, but she also incorporates pop, funk, hip hop, and soul into her songs. While she almost exclusively releases English songs, Knowles recorded several Spanish records for the re-release of B'Day. Prior to recording the Spanish titles on the album's re-release, Knowles was coached phonetically by American record producer, Rudy Perez.[127] She also recorded a Spanish song during her time in Destiny's Child, and received favorable responses from their Latin fans. Knowles learned Spanish in school when she was young, but can now only speak a few words of the language.
Influences and legacy
Knowles has cited various artists who have influenced her musical style. She grew up listening to songs of Anita Baker and Luther Vandross, the latter of whom she eventually collaborated with, but often credits her pop music hero, Michael Jackson,[176] as the reason why she does music.[177] Knowles credits Mariah Carey's singing and her song "Vision of Love" as influencing her to begin practicing vocal "runs" as a child, as well as helping her pursue a career as a musician.[178] She was also exposed to the jazz music of Rachelle Ferrell, after singing Ferrell's songs during her voice lessons and cites her as a musical influence.[179] Knowles also cites influences from American artists such as Tina Turner,[180] Prince,[181] Aaliyah,[182] Diana Ross,[180] Mary J. Blige,[183] Whitney Houston[184] and Janet Jackson.[185]
Other ventures
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Carmen: A Hip Hopera | Carmen | Lead role, TV film |
| 2007 | My Night at the Grammys | Herself | TV film |
| 2009 | Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! | Shine (voice) | "Wubbzy's Big Makeover/The Big Wuzzlewood" (Season 2, episode 22) "Wubb Girlz Rule!/Wuzzleburg Idol" (Season 2, episode 19) "Bye Bye Wuzzleburg/Wubbzy's Wacky Journey" (Season 2, episode 20) "Lights, Camera, Wubbzy!/A Wubbstar Is Born" (Season 2, episode 23) |
| 2009 | Beyoncé: For The Record | Herself | An hour long interview on 4Music |
Discography
Main article: Beyoncé Knowles discography
 |
| for music.......... |
- Dangerously in Love (2003)
- B'Day (2006)
- I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008)
See also
for more....
 | Book: Beyoncé Knowles |
| Wikipedia Books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print. | |
- Destiny's Child discography
- List of best-selling music artists
- List of Beyoncé Knowles concert tours
- List of awards and nominations received by Beyoncé Knowles
- List of artists who reached number one in the United States
- List of Black Golden Globe Award winners and nominees
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