Friday , March 29 2024

Beyonce’s Destiny

Thorough bio of Beyonce in light of her Grammy success as both recipient (five awards) and performer (opening uptempo blast with Prince, dramatic solo performance of ballad “Dangerously In Love”):

    “‘It girl’ is overused,” Essence Magazine arts and entertainment editor Cori Murray says. “But she has it: vocal talent, a gifted songwriter and performer, sexy and sassy, plus a humble spirit.”

    With five Destiny’s Child albums, her successful solo project, movie roles in “Austin Powers: Goldmember” and “The Fighting Temptations” and a slew of high-profile endorsement deals, she’s clearly on her way to super-stardom.

    ….She launched her singing career with Houston-based Destiny’s Child when she and girlfriend LaTavia Roberson teamed up in 1990, taking the group’s name from a passage in the Book of Isaiah. The duo became a trio in 1992 when Kelly Rowland (news) joined; a year later, LeToya Luckett signed on. In 1997, the group inked a deal with Columbia Records.

    Since the 1998 release of its self-titled debut, the group has enjoyed an enviable spate of chart and sales success, including its first No. 1 R&B hit, “No, No, No Part 2.”

    In 2000, “Say My Name,” spun off from the group’s 1999, eight-times platinum sophomore set, “The Writing’s on the Wall,” captured two Grammys.

    ….In October 2000, the group spent 11 weeks at No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100 with the smash “Independent Women Part 1” from the “Charlie’s Angels” soundtrack.

    In 2001, on the group’s third album — the four-times platinum “Survivor” — Beyonce took a more hands-on approach in writing and producing the material on the set, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The title track won Destiny’s Child another Grammy.

    Destiny’s Child’s albums have sold 11.8 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

    ….In July 2003, Beyonce released her debut solo album, “Dangerously in Love,” which also debuted at No. 1.

    The album’s first two singles took up residence in the penthouse of the Hot 100: “Crazy in Love,” featuring Jay-Z, spent eight weeks at No. 1, while “Baby Boy,” featuring Sean Paul, logged nine weeks in the top slot. Current single “Me, Myself & I” is now No. 4.

    …. Beyonce’s image ensures the offers will keep coming. Although she has a bit of an edge through her secretive relationship with boyfriend rapper Jay-Z, she has been able to avoid scandalous headlines.

    Beyonce’s positive image was key in the Hilfiger deal, according to THT executive director Robin Mason.

    “We absolutely love that she’s scandal-free. Being part of Estee Lauder and Tommy Hilfiger, it’s all about that good, clean, American fun. She’s able to pull that off,” he says.

    A slew of sponsors have signed on for Beyonce’s upcoming Ladies First tour with Alicia Keys and Missy Elliott, including key sponsor Verizon. [Billboard]

All of that is swell, but would any of this be happening is she was less attractive? In other words, while I do not doubt her talents, is she an exceptionally beautiful woman who happens to be a good singer and dancer or is she an outstanding singer/dancer/entertainer who happens to be beautiful? Time will tell, but she has made all the right moves so far.

About Eric Olsen

Career media professional and serial entrepreneur Eric Olsen flung himself into the paranormal world in 2012, creating the America's Most Haunted brand and co-authoring the award-winning America's Most Haunted book, published by Berkley/Penguin in Sept, 2014. Olsen is co-host of the nationally syndicated broadcast and Internet radio talk show After Hours AM; his entertaining and informative America's Most Haunted website and social media outlets are must-reads: Twitter@amhaunted, Facebook.com/amhaunted, Pinterest America's Most Haunted. Olsen is also guitarist/singer for popular and wildly eclectic Cleveland cover band The Props.

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