Beyonce

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter was born on September 4, 1981 in Texas, where, under the guidance of her parents Tina and Mathew Knowles, she embraced music and performing before she was even in double-digits. In fact, Beyoncé was only eight years old when she met and began performing with Kelly Rowland.

With Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and three other girls, Beyoncé appeared on “Star Search” in the 1990s. Beyoncé’s father became the manager of the blossoming group, changed the lineup, and scored them a record deal.

Known as Destiny’s Child, the group’s self-titled debut album was released in 1998. It was “The Writing’s On The Wall,” their second album, with the hits “Say  My Name,” “Bills, Bills, Bills,” and “Jumpin’ Jumpin,” that really put them on the map and led to two Grammy Awards.

Despite the group’s success, Roberson left the band with fellow member LeToya Luckett, and they were replaced by Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin. Franklin ended up leaving, too, and Destiny’s Child’s third album, “Survivor,” with the hit song of the same name, was released in 2001 with Beyoncé, Rowland and Williams.

After scoring another Grammy and releasing a Christmas album, the group went on hiatus and Beyoncé began working on a solo career. In 2003, she released her first album as a solo artist, “Dangerous In Love,” which featured a collaboration, “Crazy in Love,” with future husband Jay Z, and the hit, “Baby Boy.” Beyoncé cleaned up at the Grammys, earning five awards for her efforts.

Beyoncé then returned to Destiny’s Child, and the group put out their final album, “Destiny Fulfilled,” in 2004, and embarked on one last world tour. Beyoncé’s second solo record, “B’Day,” followed in 2006, the same year she starred in “Dreamgirls” alongside Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson. The role earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

In 2008, Beyoncé introduced her alter ego with her third solo album, “I Am… Sasha Fierce,” featuring the songs “Single Ladies” and “Halo.” She was rewarded with even more Grammys, and three years later put out another album, “4.” It was around this time, in 2011, that Beyoncé and her father ended their business relationship, and he stopped being her manager.

2013 brought a new Destiny’s Child song for the first time in years, Beyoncé’s Super Bowl halftime show, and her documentary, “Love Is But A Dream.” It all culminated in December, when Beyoncé shocked the world by releasing a surprise album, simply called “Beyoncé.” With the Jay Z collaboration “Drunk in Love,” and the record’s unprecedented visual component, Beyoncé was credited with shaking up the music industry.

Beyonce and Jay Z wed in 2008, and welcomed daughter Blue Ivy in 2012. In 2014, they embarked on their joint “On The Run” tour. Despite periodic rumors of marriage trouble, the superstars remain together and continue to dominate occupy a top perch in the music industry.