Beyonce Knowles Biography - Singer

Biography of popular R&B and Hip Hop singer - Beyonce Knowles

Beyonce as a Solo Artist and Actress
Before Beyonce became a solo artist in 2001, rapper Amil featured her on his album, “I Got That”. She later grabbed a major role in an MTV made-for-TV movie, Carmen : A Hip Hopera alongside Mekhi Phifer. In 2002, Beyonce was cast as the love interest of Mike Myers in the comedy flick, Austin Powers Goldmember, wherein her first solo single “Work It Out” was used in the film’s soundtrack.

In 2002, Knowles starred in the movie, “The Fighting Temptations” with Cuba Gooding Jr. and worked with MC Lyte, Free and Missy Elliott to record “Fighting Temptation” for the movie’s soundtrack. Beyonce also participated in Jay-Z’s single, “03 Bonnie & Clyde”, remade 50 Cent’s “In Da Club” and won a Grammy Award when she remade the song “The Closer I Get to You” with Luther Vandross.

By 2003, Beyonce’s solo album entitled “Dangerously in Love” was released and garnered her 4x platinum as it sold over 4 million copies in the U.S. alone. Her album’s lead singles are “Crazy in Love” that featured Jay-Z and stayed at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 8 weeks; “Baby Boy” that featured Sean Paul; “Me, Myself & I” and “Naughty Girl”. For her first album, Beyonce won five awards at the 2004 Grammys.

Destiny Fulfilled Reunions, Goodbyes and B’Day
In 2004, Destiny’s Child reunited and recorded their last album, “Destiny Fulfilled”, which immediately hit number 2 on the Billboard 200. Single hits like the “Girl”, “Soldier”, “Cater 2 U” and “Lose My Breath” were proof that the trio still had the spark to make a successful album. The following year, the group embarked on a 2005 world tour called “Destiny Fulfilled… And Lovin’ It” starting April to September. Destiny’s Child announced their disbandment in Spain, during the last concert on the North American leg.

In October 2005, Destiny’s Child released a compilation album called “#1’s” with all their hits and 3 new tracks. By early 2006, the group was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was dubbed as the world’s best-selling female group that ever graced the charts.

As the door closed for the Destiny’s Child, another door opened for Beyonce with the film, “The Pink Panther”, wherein she recorded the single “Check on It” with Slim Thug for the film’s soundtrack. She was cast in another mainstream film, Dreamgirls alongside Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy.

It was only until 2006 did Beyonce get the time to work on her second album with the help of musical collaborators Rodney Jerkins, Sean Garrett and Rich Harrison. The album “B’Day” was released in September 4 and debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200. At the 2007 Grammys, Knowles won the Best Contemporary R&B Album out of five categories she was nominated. She then embarked on a ninety-venue concert tour from April to December, which was documented and released on DVD.