Beyonce Giselle Knowles was born in Houston, Texas on September 4, 1981. Performance was important to her and she began performing in front of audiences at a very young age. Her parents supported her early entrance into the world of the performing arts, and her mother became her manager and stylist. (“Biography,” 2016) This support from her family was in large part the reason for her early success in the business. Beyonce had a large network of support that she could draw from when conflict arose and her times became more difficult than expected.
When she was 16, Beyonce teamed up with Kelly Rowland (a cousin) and family friend Michelle Williams to form the R&B supergroup Destiny’s Child. The group performed together for six years. They were responsible for numerous hits, such as “Bills, Bills, Bills” “Survivor” and “Bootylicious.” Despite some early conflicts, the group settled in with the three members and won several Grammy’s, American Music and People’s Choice Awards. They had a great deal of commercial success, despite inter-group conflicts and a revolving door of group members.
However, the group managed some internal struggles regarding Beyonce’s role. The other group members felt that she was bing spotlighted, and that they were not being used to their potential. They felt cheated, and that their contributions to the group were not being honored. The level of animosity between the group members hit a high point in 2001. Ultimately, the group was unable to resolve these issues and ultimately broke up.
Beyonce went her own way, attempting several solo projects. Her first solo album, Dangerously in Love was released in 2003. The collaboration on the title single would prove to be fortuitous for Beyonce, as it was where she met her future husband, Sean Carter, also known as Jay-Z. The couple wed in 2008, and have one daughter, Blue Ivy.
Beyonce lists several classic R&B and soul artists as the major influences on her music. Her most recent album is influenced by early jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Lauren will. Beyonce even performed Fitzgerald’s signature song “At Last” at the 2008 inauguration of President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama. She is also influenced by many Motown artists such as Diana Ross and ARetha Franklin. Her vocal ad libs on the song “Bootylicious” were performed as a tribute to the late, great, Michael Jackson. (“10 Women Who Made Beyonce,” 2016) In her own right, Beyonce has influenced many artists herself. Ariana Grande, Jessie J and Meghan Trainor count her among their mentors, and she has worked with artists such as Adele and Britney Spears. (“Bow Down,” 2015)
Because of these musical influences, Beyonce’s musical style if very complex. Her most current album, Lemonade, boasts several different musical genre. There is a clear overtone of R&B on this particular album. The hip-hop presence - introduced on her later albums, through her husband, Jay-Z - is also strong within her singles. Several songs boast other feels as well, though. For example, the song “Hold On,” boasts a decidedly reggae feel. Several slower songs have the feel of a balladeer, and there is a rock presence through the instrumentation that Beyonce chooses on many singles. There is even a presence of country influence, although it is more than likely a result of the blues influence on beyonce’s overall style. (Callegeri, 2016)
Beyonce’s performance style is often over the top. In her Destiny’s Child years, her mother tina acted as the stylist for the group. This featured very highly choreographed dance routines and matching costumes. When Beyonce broke away from the group her performance style underwent several changes. Where one of the early tenets of Destiny’s Child was modesty, Beyonce's solo style was quite a bit more risque, although not inappropriate by any measure. Within her fashion choices, she adopted more of a hip hop flair, opting for furs and jewelry in her personal costumes. Her performance style was still highly choreographed, although this time Beyonce was the main performer in her dance routines. Her performance style is flashy and diva-esque. There is much production involved, but at times, there is also an element of stillness. At the core of her performance, Beyonce is a singer, and this reflects and shines through any production.
In addition to being a musical performer, Beyonce also has a very strong presence in pop culture. She made her film debut in the Austin Power sequel “Goldmember,” which also featured Mike Meyers. This led her to numerous appearances on skit shows such as Saturday Night Live and Mad TV. She has also starred in the made for TV movie “Carmen: a hip-hopera,” and “Dreamgirls,” opposite Jennifer Hudson, for which she won both a Grammy and an Oscar. Perhaps Beyonce’s biggest contribution to popular culture was vernacular, when Destiny’s Childs’ hit song “Bootylicious” introduced that new word to the American vernacular. The word was entered into Webster's dictionary in 2008 as a recognized slang. Beyonce also has a clothing line and a line of fragrances that she manages with her husband Jay-Z.
Beyonce is clearly a force to be reckoned with in popular culture. There is little doubt that she will make a mark on history musically, both as a solo artist and with Destiny’s Child. But within popular culture she has also left her mark. Beyonce is a role model for young girls and women of all ages, and particularly for women of color. Beyonce has a lasting presence that transcends her ability to sing and inspires and empowers beauty in her society.
References
Beyoncé Knowles. (2016). Retrieved December 29, 2016, from http://www.biography.com/people/beyonce-knowles-39230#solo-career
Bow Down! 15 Of The World's Hottest Pop Stars Influenced By Beyonce. (2015). Retrieved December 29, 2016, from http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/beyonce-knowles/photos/music-influence/
Callegari, C. (2016). Beyonce's 'Lemonade' Has 8 Musical Genres & You Need To Hear Them All. Retrieved December 29, 2016, from https://www.bustle.com/articles/156634-beyonces-lemonade-has-8-musical-genres-you-need-to-hear-them-all
Vincent, A. (n.d.). The 10 women who made Beyoncé. Retrieved December 29, 2016, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/10091698/The-10-women-who-made-Beyonce.html
