Beyonce Biography Though Beyonce Knowles is a pin-up celebrity, she’s not only a pretty face. She has pursued a savvy career path and has shown her talent as a songwriter and actress. Born in Houston, Texas, in 1981, she sang in the church choir as a young girl. The big break for Beyonce came as part of the R&B singing group, Destiny’s Child. As a founding member, she saw various girls come and go into her group. They started as a quartet and ended up a trio. La Tavia Roberson and Le Toya Luckett left, and the final line-up consisted of Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. The group released their final album in 2005 and remains the biggest selling all-girl group in history. Their debut album was produced by Wyclef Jean and Jermaine Dupri. Beyonce’s Father, Mathew Knowles, resigned from a lucrative job in sales to manage the group. He still manages all the individual members today and runs his own successful record label, which represents De La Soul, Earth, Wind and Fire, and Kool & the Gang. Matthew Knowles also acts as manager for Beyonce’s sister, singer and actress Solange Knowles.
In 2003, Beyonce launched her solo career with her first album, Dangerously In Love. It was a great success and included recording collaborations with Knowles's boyfriend, rapper Jay-Z, as well as the late Luther Vandross. One of the tracks on Dangerously In Love also featured Sean Paul. She has won an impressive three Grammy awards as a member of Destiny’s Child and six more Grammy’s for her solo work. Beyonce has also forged a successful career in the movies, her first role being in Carmen: A Hip Hopera, which was shown on MTV and featured Mekhi Phifer. This was followed by a part in Austin Powers in Goldmember with Mike Myers. She then appeared opposite Cuba Gooding Jr. in The Fighting Temptations, also recording a song for the soundtrack with Missy Elliott, Free, and MC Lyte. In 2006, Beyonce starred with Steve Martin in The Pink Panther. Another of her films, released in December 2006, was called Dreamgirls; the story was inspired by The Supremes, and Beyonce plays the character based on Diana Ross. The movie also starred Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy and Danny Glover.
There has been some controversy during of Beyonce’s career when PETA, the animal rights organization, spoke out against her use of fur in the clothing line that she owns. She also got into trouble for dancing provocatively outside the tomb of the late President Ulysses S. Grant during an entertainment spectacular marking Independence Day. Beyonce’s second solo album was released in September of 2006. Called B’Day, it is co-produced by Rodney Jerkins, Rich Harrison, The Neptunes, and Swizz Beatz. Beyonce and rapper Jay-Z have been in a relationship since 2002 and since then the two have made several musical collaborations. With an abundance of rumours relating to their relationship the couple revealed that on April 3rd 2008, that they had filed for a marriage license. The couple have deliberately been private about the nature of their relationship, to avoid excessive media exposure and with their privacy in mind they organised their wedding to take place on the roof garden of Jay Z's Manhattan apartment on Saturday 5th April 2008. Guests included Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams and Diddy. Let us know of updates to the Beyonce biography at editor@yuddy.com |
