From Birth To Stardom

Beyonce first began her musical career when she was 7 years old and met LaTavia Roberson while auditioning for a children's group. Beyoncé's cousin, Kelly Rowland, soon joined the girls, and the trio was finally joined by the fourth part of the group, LeToya Luckett.

Managed by Music World Management's Matthew Knowles -- who is also Beyoncé's father and Kelly's legal guardian -- the four young girls with big dreams became Destiny's Child.

Worshipping the moves and voices of R&B legendary groups such as the Supremes and the Jackson 5, the children of Destiny's Child started small by performing at local events and moved on to their national television debut with their performance on Star Search.

Not only did their strong voices standout, but their originality and refreshing rap performance was only a preview of what the music industry was in store for.

Soon enough, the group had moved up from the ranks of performing at small-time gigs, to becoming the opening act for popular R&B and hip hop acts Dru Hill, SWV and Immature.

The group's first album, the self-titled Destiny's Child, was released in 1998, under the Columbia Records label. The album features Wyclef Jean, Pras and Jermaine Dupri as collaborating producers, as well as their hit single "No, No, No", which went platinum.

If the three awards that Destiny's Child received at the 1998 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards wasn't enough of an indication of their upcoming success, their next album sure was. The Writing's on the Wall, which was released in 1999, reached the top ten Billboard album charts upon its release.

The album has so far spawned 4 hit singles, "Bills, Bills, Bills," "Say My Name," "Bug a Boo," and "Jumpin', Jumpin'." With their album reaching triple platinum status by the end of the year, 2 Grammy nominations in 1999, an "Image Award" for Outstanding Duo or Group by the NAACP, and contributions to the soundtracks for the films Why Do Fools Fall In Love?, Life, and Romeo Must Die, one would think that the Houston-based group would know no problems -- but that would be wrong.

In March of 2000, it was announced that group members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson had left the group. It was later revealed that the two members were unhappy with the management of Matthew Knowles, and that they left because of existing "creative differences." LeToya and LaTavia took the group and its management to court, while the remaining members found two replacements, Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin.

Just when it seemed that Destiny's Child had seen the last of their problems, Farrah Franklin left the group after 5 months, leaving Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams (not to be confused with the blonde Dawson's Creek star) as a trio, basking in the glory of consecutive number one hits with the release of the group's third album, Survivor

Ask Beyonce what she wants people to hear when they listen to Dangerously In Love, her debut solo album, and the multi-platinum-selling pop/urban recording artist answers, "My range. I want them to hear all of the musical influences from hip-hop to rock to jazz, there's even a Shuggie Otis sample. I want them to really hearthe talent. I know that folks love me as a pop star. Now I want them to understand me as an artist."

That they will. Musically challenging and lyrically honest, Dangerously In Love is more than just a solo CD from a superstar. It is everything you'd expect from Beyonce and more than you could have hoped for. Another side of someone we've loved for years, Dangerously In Love is equally divided between seductive mid-tempos, lush ballads and fiery club bangers, providing a sharp focus on who Beyonce is right now: as a performer, as a woman, and as a creative force to be reckoned with. The vibe is more mature, more playful, more deeply passionate and sexually aggressive. Dangerously In Love is the sound of a grown woman clearly staking her claim in the world and, in the process, redefining expectations of who she is.

Given the fact that the general public is so familiar with chart-topping songs such as "Say My Name," "Independent Woman, Part I" and "Survivor," it's fair to enquire how Dangerously In Love differs from a Destiny's Child project. "Naturally the songs on my album are going to share some similarities," Beyonce admits. "But this time because I only had to write for myself, my songs are much more personal. I also wanted beats that were harder and to be able to collaborate with other people. Basically this record was a chance for me to grow as a writer and a singer. There are more ballads. The vocals aren't as precisely produced and because it's just me, there aren't as many harmonies. The experience was very liberating and therapeutic. I felt free, because I could go into the studio and talk about whatever I wanted, but in many ways it was actually harder to be on my own creatively. I depend so much on Destiny's Child (Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams) to tell me if they like something or not. I'm so critical of myself that it's scary to have to depend on your own instincts."

Helping Beyonce trust those instincts are an impressive array of musical collaborators, among them Missy Elliot, Jay-Z, Sean Paul, Mark Batson, Mario Winans, D-Roy and Mr. B, OutKast's Big Boi, Rich Harrison, Fanatic, Scott Storch, and the legendary Luther Vandross on "The Closer I Get To You." Beyonce shares co-executive producer credits on Dangerously In Love with her father and manager Mathew Knowles. She took an active role in all aspects of the album: from writing and choosing material to producing, mastering and mixing the tracks. Beyonce pays tribute to her father on the hidden bonus track, "Daddy," which was produced by Beyonce and Mark Batson.

The sexy first single, "Crazy In Love," featuring Jay-Z, was co-produced by Beyonce and Rich Harrison. Jay-Z returns the favor for Beyonce's part on his hit "Bonnie and Clyde 03." With a beat that Beyonce says is "so hard it makes your heart hurt!," "Crazy In Love" is about that moment when you realize you're falling into love and looking crazy but you simply don't care. The abandon continues on "Speechless," produced by Fanatic. "As soon as I heard the track it inspired me," she admits. "It's very sexy, very sensual. The sort of ballad that I've never done before. This song is definitely a population increaser!"

Laced with an Arabic ambience, fused with a ghetto-fied edge and encompassing a sample from Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby," "Naughty Girl" is uptempo and party perfect: a sexy fantasy about having that one night where you lose all your inhibitions, head to theclub and work it like a naughty girl. "Many of the songs on the album examine aspects of relationships, and this is one element."

Also sexy is the dancehall-Arabic flavored "Baby Boy," featuring the red hot Sean Paul. "I knew Sean had to be on my album because I love his approach," she says. "'Baby Boy' is another song about a fantasy and it's one of my favorites."Such unabashed and upfront emotions might come as a surprise to long time fans but make no mistake, Dangerously In Love isn't a rejection of DC's sound. "I love Destiny's Child and I am a member of the group, "she asserts. "We haven't broken up. We're going to continue to tour and record and be a group. We've recorded a song, 'I Know,' for "The Fighting Temptations" soundtrack. We all decided a long time back to explore solo projects and I'm the third member of the group to release my own record. Things like working apart keep the fire going and keep the fans eager for you. I'm not trying to get away from DC or the legacy we have. I just wanted to show a different approach and the growth I've experienced. "

That growth is evident in Beyonce's burgeoning acting career. In 2001 she starred in MTV's "Carmen." In 2002 she appeared as Foxy Cleopatra in "Austin Powers in Goldmember." and her career is taking off.

She was officially in the BAFTA longlist (Equivalently, the semi-finals) for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role in Dreamgirls (2006), which consisted of 15 finalists for each category (except Animated Film). However, she was eliminated in the next round, which the five official nominees were selected.

"There's plenty of days when I'm like 'Oh God, why?' But that's just life. It's every job, not just mine. Every moment is not perfect. But it's definitely more good times than bad. You can't even compare. And when I'm on stage it feels incredible. There are certain nights that you know you hit that crazy note and you know that spin spinned extra fast. And you look out and people are just into it and you've worked so hard and now it's paying off and you can see why you dedicated your life to this."