Beyoncé

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Beyoncé
Knowles at The Lion King premiere in 2019
Born
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles

(1981-09-04) September 4, 1981 (age 42)
Other names
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • [5]
  • rapper
  • dancer
  • actress
  • record producer
  • businesswoman
  • fashion designer
  • director
  • model
Years active1990, 1996–present
Organizations
Spouse
Jay-Z (m. 2008)
Children3, including Blue Ivy
Parents
RelativesSolange Knowles (sister)
AwardsFull list
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Labels
Websitebeyonce.com

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter (bee-YON-say) (born September 4, 1981), known mononymously as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, dancer and model. She is known as a lead singer of female pop group Destiny's Child. She released her first solo album, Dangerously in Love, in 2003, when Destiny's Child was on a break.

Since then, she has released six more albums, which have all produced hit singles. She has sold over 250 million records worldwide as a solo artist, and as the lead singer of the world's best-selling female group of all time, selling over 100 million records worldwide. She is the most female awarded musicians in Grammys of all time, with 32 wins during her career, as well as her nominations.[6][7]

Early life[change | change source]

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born at Park Plaza Hospital in Houston, Texas.[8] Her mother is Tina Knowles (née Beyincé; currently Lawson) with her Creole descent, which means she has some African and French roots. Her father is Mathew Knowles, who is African American. Knowles went to several performing arts schools, and took part in singing and dancing competitions as a child. Her younger sister, Solange, is also a musician.

Music career[change | change source]

In her youth, she started the girl group Girls Tyme. Her father Mathew became her manager.

Knowles became very famous in the late 1990s. She became the lead singer of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child. The group became the world's best-selling girl group of all time, selling over 85 million records worldwide.

Destiny's Child took a break from recording music. Knowles released her solo debut album, Dangerously in Love, in 2003. Two singles from the album—"Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy"—reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album became one of the most successful albums of that year. Dangerously in Love was given five Grammy Awards. After Destiny's Child split, Knowles released her second album. B'Day was released in 2006, and its singles "Déjà Vu", "Irreplaceable" and "Beautiful Liar" reached the top ten in the United States. Her third album I Am... Sasha Fierce was released in 2008. "If I Were a Boy", "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", "Halo" and "Sweet Dreams" became hit singles for Knowles. "Singles Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" became another number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. The album earned six Grammys in 2010, the most Grammys won by a woman in one night. Only Adele would do this again at the 2012 Grammys.

Her next album, 4 (2011), became her fourth number one album on the Billboard 200 chart. She became the third artist in history to have her first four albums debut at number one. Beyoncé released her fifth album Beyoncé on iTunes on December 13, 2013. The public did not know about the album before it was released. The album has fourteen songs and 17 videos.[9] It has been given good reviews. It entered the Billboard 200 at number one. This made her the first female artist in the history of the chart to have her first five albums enter the chart at the top.[10] Knowles performed "Drunk in Love" with JAY-Z at the 2014 Grammy Awards. She was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Part II (On the Run)" with JAY-Z.[11]

In February 2016, Beyoncé was a guest performer at Super Bowl 50. She performed "Formation", the lead single from her sixth studio album, Lemonade. The performance was controversial, as it had elements of the #BlackLivesMatter movement along with influences from the Black Panthers.[12] She announced The Formation World Tour in a commercial after the Super Bowl performance.

In April 2016, an hour-long film, Lemonade, was shown on HBO. After the film aired, the Lemonade album was released. The album became her best-reviewed of her career. It entered the charts at number one in the US and Canada. Lemonade features the singles "Formation", "Sorry", and "Hold Up". It won the Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album in 2017, while the music video for "Formation" won the award for Best Music Video.

In 2017, Beyoncé released the promotional single "Die with You". She later contributed to the remix of "Mi Gente" by J Balvin and Willy William. This caused the song to jump to number three on the Billboard Hot 100. On December 1, 2017, an acoustic duet between Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran of Sheeran's song "Perfect" was released and was at the top of the iTunes charts in 32 countries.[13] The song became Beyoncé's sixth US number-one as a solo artist and her tenth number-one song in the US including songs with Destiny's Child.

Knowles was featured on a remix of rapper Megan Thee Stallion's song "Savage"; it became Knowles’ seventh number-one song in the US.[14]

On June 20, 2022, she released "Break My Soul", the lead single from her seventh studio album, Renaissance and the album was released on July 29, 2022. "Break My Soul" became her eighth solo US number-one (twelfth overall), while the album's next single, "Cuff It", reached number ten on the Hot 100.[15]

Artistry[change | change source]

Knowles has a three-and-a-half octave mezzo-soprano vocal range. Other sources state that she possesses a contralto vocal range at age of 30s. Jon Pareles of The New York Times commented that her voice is "velvety yet tart, with an insistent flutter and reserves of soul belting". Jody Rosen notes that the hip hop era highly influenced Knowles' unique rhythmic vocal style, but also finds her quite traditionalist in her use of balladry, gospel and falsetto.

Other projects[change | change source]

Acting career[change | change source]

Her first role in a movie was for the musical Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001). Her first major movie was Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). The movie Dreamgirls (2006) was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards. Her other movies Cadillac Records (2008) and Obsessed (2009) did not do so well.

In 2019, she starred as Nala in the 2019 drama-live action remake The Lion King.

Fashion[change | change source]

In 2005, Knowles and her mother created a fashion line called House of Deréon.

In 2016, she also introduced a fitness-wear collection called Ivy Park.[16]

Perfume[change | change source]

In 2010, she released her first perfume which she called Heat.

Model[change | change source]

In 2013, Knowles became H&M's new swimwear model since she gave birth to her daughter Blue Ivy just a year prior.

Endorsements[change | change source]

She became a spokesperson for L'Oréal, Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger, Nintendo, and Vizio.

Ranking[change | change source]

In 2010, Knowles was ranked first on Forbes list of the "100 Most Powerful and Influential Musicians in the World",[17] and second on its list of the "100 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in the World".[18] In 2012, she was named "World's Most Beautiful Woman" by People magazine.[19]

Awards[change | change source]

Many of Knowles' recordings and movies were given many nominations, with many winning them. These include 24 Grammy Awards, 24 [MTV Video Music Awards], three [American Music Awards], a Billboard Millennium Award, and a star on the [Hollywood Walk of Fame] with Destiny's Child. In 2009, [Billboard (magazine)|Billboard] named her the Top Radio Songs Artist of the 2000s decade. They also ranked her 4th for Artist of the Decade.[20][21] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), named Knowles as the Top Certified Artist of the 2000s.[22][23] In the US, she has sold over 17 million copies as of May 2014. She has sold more than 30.4 million digital singles as of January 2012.[24] Worldwide, she has sold 245 million records. This makes her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.[25] Knowles appeared on [VH1]'s 2010 list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".[26] They ranked her third on their "100 Greatest Women in Music" list in 2012.

Personal life[change | change source]

In 2000, Knowles met Jay-Z and proposed her on his 38th birthday on December 4, 2007. The couple married on April 4, 2008. On January 7, 2012, she gave birth to their first daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, via natural birth in Lennox Hill Hospital, New York.

Knowles is a feminist. In the February 2013 issue of GQ magazine she said, "You know, equality is a myth, and for some reason, everyone accepts the fact that women don’t make as much money as men do. I don’t understand that. Why do we have to take a backseat? I truly believe that women should be financially independent from their men. And let’s face it, money gives men the power to run the show. It gives men the power to define value. They define what’s sexy. And men define what’s feminine. It’s ridiculous."[27]

Knowles joined the Ban Bossy campaign in 2014.[28]

In December 2013, it was revealed that she and her husband Jay-Z were longtime vegans.[29] She wrote the foreword to the book The 22-Day Revolution by trainer Marco Borges, which was released in April 2015.[30]

On February 1, 2017, Knowles announced via Instagram that she was expecting twins.[31] She gave birth to a daughter, Rumi and a son, Sir on June 13, 2017 via cesarean section.[32] [33]

Discography[change | change source]

  • Dangerously in Love (2003): 20 million copies sold.
  • B'Day (2006): 15 million copies sold.[34]
  • I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008): 19 million copies sold.
  • 4 (2011): 5 million copies sold.
  • Beyoncé (2013) 11 million copies sold.
  • Lemonade (2016) The audio CD/DVD set earned 653,000 total copies sold in the week ending April 28, 2016, according to Nielsen Music. Pure album sales comprised 485,000 of that sum.
  • Renaissance (2022)

Filmography[change | change source]

Films
Title Year Role Notes
Austin Powers in Goldmember 2002 Foxxy Cleopatra Leading role
The Fighting Temptations 2003 Lilly Supporting role
The Pink Panther 2006 Xania Supporting role
Dreamgirls Deena Jones Leading role
Cadillac Records 2008 Etta James Leading role
Obsessed 2009 Sharon Charles Leading role
Epic 2013 Queen Tara Voice role
The Lion King 2019 Nala Voice role
Documentaries
Title Year Role
Fade to Black 2004 Herself
Beyoncé Shine – An Unauthorized Story on Beyoncé Knowles 2010 Herself
Life Is But a Dream 2013 Herself
Beyoncé: Finding Her Destiny Herself
Beyoncé: Fierce and Fabulous 2014 Herself
Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams 2018 Herself
Homecoming 2019 Herself
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé 2023 Herself
Television
Title Year Role Notes
Smart Guy 1998 Herself Episode: "A Date With Destiny"
Carmen: A Hip Hopera 2001 Carmen Brown Television movie
The Famous Jett Jackson 2003 Herself Episode: "Backstage Pass"
The X Factor 2008, 2013 Herself Musical guest
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! 2009 Shine (voice) 4 episodes
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Wubb Idol Shine (voice) Television movie
American Idol 2011 Herself Mentor (season 10)
A Night with Beyoncé Herself Television special
Keeping Up with the Kardashians Herself Episode: "Kim's Fairytale Wedding"
Lip Sync Battle 2016 Herself Contestant

Notes[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

  1. Curto, Justin (April 30, 2021). "Yes, 'Harmonies by The Hive' is Beyoncé". Vulture. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  2. "DJ Khaled's single, "Top Off featuring JAY-Z, Future & B"". Billboard. March 2, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  3. "Beyoncé credited as "Third Ward Trill" on JAY-Z's album, Magna Carta Holy Grail". Global Grind. July 9, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  4. "iTunes Store – Beautiful Liar – EP Beyoncé & Shakira". Apple Inc. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  5. "ACE Repertory". www.ascap.com.
  6. "Beyonce | Biography, Songs, Movies, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  7. "Beyoncé breaks record with 32nd Grammy, snubbed again for top album honor". PBS NewsHour. 2023-02-06. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  8. "Jordan, Prof. (Virgil) Craig, (born 25 July 1947), Professor of Breast Medical Oncology and Molecular and Cellular Oncology, M. D. Anderson Hospital and Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, since 2014". Who's Who. Oxford University Press. 2011-12-01. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u253997.
  9. "Beyonce releases entire new album 'Beyoncé' on iTunes - News - Music - The Independent". The Independent. December 13, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  10. "It's Official: Beyonce Makes History With Fifth No. 1 Album". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  11. "Beyonce and Jay Z Open Grammys With Steamy 'Drunk in Love' Performance". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 4, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  12. Falzone, Diana (February 12, 2016). "FOX News". Backlash to Beyonce's Super Bowl performance continues to grow. FOX News Network, LLC. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  13. "Worldwide iTunes Song Chart". kworb.net. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  14. "Megan Thee Stallion Reacts To 'Savage' No 1". Billboard. 2020-05-27. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  15. Aniftos, Rania (2023-01-09). "Beyhive Celebrates Beyoncé as 'Cuff It' Hits Hot 100 Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  16. "Ivy Park". Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  17. "Celebrity 100: Musicians". Forbes. June 22, 2010. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  18. Dorothy Pomerantz, Lacey Rose (June 28, 2010). "The World's Most Powerful Celebrities". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  19. "Beyonce Knowles Is PEOPLE Magazine World's Most Beautiful : People.com". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  20. "Radio Songs Artists". Billboard. [Prometheus Global Media]. December 31, 2009. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  21. "Artists of the Decade Music Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  22. Pedersen, Erik (February 17, 2010). "Beyoncé Tops Decade's RIAA Sales". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  23. Lamy Johnathan, Cara Duckworth, Liz Kennedy (February 17, 2010). "RIAA Tallies the Decade's Top Gold and Platinum Award Winners". Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. "The Nielsen Company & Billboard's 2011 Music Industry Report" (Press release). [Business Wire]. Archived from the original on January 6, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  25. "The 50 people who matter today: 41–50". New Statesman. London. September 24, 2009. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  26. Graham, Mark (February 13, 2012). "VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Music (Complete List)". VH1. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  27. "Beyonce Calls Out The Gender Pay Gap: 'Equality Is A Myth' - ThinkProgress". ThinkProgress. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  28. "Beyonce, Jennifer Garner, Jane Lynch join 'Ban Bossy" campaign". USA TODAY. March 10, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  29. "Jay Z and Beyoncé Pledge to Go Vegan". Pitchfork. December 3, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  30. Borges, Marco (2015). Amazon. Penguin. ISBN 978-0451474841.
  31. Beyoncé (February 1, 2017). "Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  32. Chiu, Melody (June 17, 2017). "'Crazy in Love'—Times Two! Beyoncé and Jay Z Welcome Twins". People. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
  33. Harmon, Steph (July 14, 2017). "Beyoncé publishes photo of her twins on Instagram". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  34. "In Pictures: The 10 Top-Earning African-American Stars". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2012-12-22. Retrieved 2012-12-22.

Other websites[change | change source]