Beyonce
Beyonce Knowles
is arguably one of the most talented vocalists of her generation. With a vocal
range of 3 and a half octaves, her voice has been described as a ‘super human
instrument capable of punctuating any beat with goose bump inducing whispers or
full bore diva roars’. She has won more Grammy Awards than any other female
artist, has sold more than 100 million albums and is an inspiration to young
women all over the world.
Born in Houston, Texas in 1981 Beyonce began singing in the school choir when she was just seven and won her first talent show at the same age. She received a standing ovation for her performance of Imagine and this taste of applause and limelight was enough to convince the young diva that she belonged on stage. After a number of years performing with the group Girl’s Tyme, Destiny’s Child was eventually formed when Knowles’ father Matthew quit his job to manage the band full time. At that point, the lineup included Knowles, Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson and LaToya Luckett, although this would eventually change when the latter two girls left the band with considerable bad feeling. This was to have a big effect on the young Beyonce and she went through a period of depression as a result of the stress and subsequent lawsuits that were filed by Roberson and Luckett.
By 1999 the trio of Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland and Beyonce had found their stride and when they released Independent Woman Part 1 for the movie Charlie’s Angels, the single topped the official singles chart in the US for 11 consecutive weeks .Survivor, the album that followed, debuted at number 1 on the Billboard chart the following year and would eventually sell over 10 million copies worldwide.
However, it was becoming obvious that one member of the band shone out as a true superstar. Knowles’ vocal ability meant that she often took the lead on tracks and it wasn’t long before a solo career beckoned. In 2000 she signed a three album deal with Columbia records and Destiny’s Child took some time out as all three girls decided to focus on individual projects.
Beyonce’s first solo single ‘Work it out’ was recorded for the hit movie Austin Powers – Goldmember, in which she played the part of Foxxy Cleopatra alongside Mike Myers. The subsequent album Dangerously in Love debuted at number 1 and was a good indication of the success that was to follow. The combination of powerhouse vocals, evocative choreography and catchy beats and melodies ensure that almost anything Knowles puts her name to turns to gold.
After an intensely private courtship, which both parties denied for a number of years, Knowles finally married her long term boyfriend Jay Z in April 2008 after six years together.
