African American Music Appreciation Month. . .

continues with...

Destiny's Child

Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girls' Tyme. The original line-up comprised Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett. After performing underground, DC finally gave Beyonce the opportunity to make a successful break into the music industry.  Initially, they struggled through failed record deal with Elektra Records, and several name changes but the quartet changed their name to Destiny's Child after signing to Columbia Records with Matthew Knowles as their manager. 


Destiny's Child was launched into mainstream recognition following the release of their best-selling second album, The Writing's on the Wall, which contained the number-one singles "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name."  They soon started serving as the opening act for other artists like Dru Hill, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and SWV. The entire Knowles clan was on board as Tina Knowles designed the costumes for their performances and Solange Knowles served as an intermittent background singer and dancer. 


You may recall the internal turmoil and public drama surrounding the change-up of the groups line up. The final line up featured Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The ladies handled the situation well and emerged with Survivor as they proclaimed,


Now that you are out of my life, 
I'm so much better,
You thought that I'd be weak without ya,
But I'm stronger,
You thought that I'd be broke without ya,
But I'm richer,
You thought that I'd be sad without ya,
I laugh harder,
You thought I wouldn't grow without ya,
Now I'm wiser,
You thought that I'd be helpless without ya,
But I'm smarter,
You thought that I'd be stressed without ya,
But I'm chillin'
You thought I wouldn't sell without ya,
Sold nine million.


After breaking records as a successful trio, in 2000 Destiny's Child decided to go on a brief hiatus to allow the ladies to pursue solo careers. Michelle released a gospel album, Heart to Yours which reached number 1 on the Billboard Gospel Charts. Kelly collaborated with hip hop hottie Nelly on "Dilemma," which became a worldwide hit and earned her a Grammy. Beyonce, hereinafter referred to as Bey, went on to pursue an acting career working alongside acting greats like Mike Myers in Austin Powers Gold Member, and Cuba Gooding Jr. in The Fighting Temptations. She also collaborated on her then-boyfriend Jay-Z's smash single 03 Bonnie and Clyde.


In 2004, DC reunited to work on their final studio album Destiny Fulfilled. They announced they would embark on a final world tour together before calling it quits permanently.  The trio sold over 60 million records internationally and became one of the best-selling recording artists in America. The talented women have also earned the respect of the music industry  including Billboard who ranked them as one of the greatest musical trios of all time and the World  Music Awards, which recognized them as the World's Best-selling female group of all time.On March 28, 2006, Destiny's Child was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Also in 2006, former member LeToya Luckett released her debut solo album, LeToya, in July 2006, peaking at number-one on the Billboard 200. 


Now its time to have a music break! 


"Bug a Boo"

"Jumpin Jumpin"

"Bootylicious"



"Say My Name"



"Cater 2 U"

This song NEVER gets old! 


"Independent Woman" 



"Soldier"



BTW in case you missed it, Kelly Rowland KILLED it last night at the BET awards looking like a Black version of Where in the World is Carmen San Diego!