It’s been a long road to the top for Queen Bey, from the early Destiny’s Child days all the way through to her surprise album drop last year, Beyonce has played every card right to become the most powerful woman in music. This is the story of how it was done.
1. A 12-year-old Beyonce appeared on ‘Star Search’ in 1993.
She entered the biggest talent show on TV at the time as a member of the band ‘Girl Tyme,’ – they came second (as shown in her ‘Flawless’ video). It was the first step on Beyonce’s road to becoming the most powerful woman in music.
2. When the going got tough, Beyonce got tougher.
To whip the girls into shape Mr Knowles created a summer ‘bootcamp,’ putting DC to work on their vocals and dancing.
3. It paid off. In 1996, Destiny’s Child signed to Columbia Records.
Beyonce’s dad helped to negotiate the record label that Beyonce would finally find success with. Picture: Getty
4. The group’s second album ‘The Writings On The Wall,’ was their breakthrough album.
It’s a little-known fact that Destiny’s Child released an album before ‘The Writing’s On The Wall’. Obviously, it wasn’t a success. But they got there in the end.
5. The girls achieved their first number one with ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’.
The lead single from their album was released back in 1999 (can you believe it?)
6. ‘The Writing’s On The Wall’ sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
Eight million were sold in the UK, making it eight-time platinum certified. It was one of the top selling albums of 2000. Now, Beyonce was certainly established.
7. And they were about to get even bigger, with the introduction of Michelle Williams.
When things got sour with LaToya and LaTavia, Michelle Williams joined as the third and final member. Picture: Getty
8. The newly formed threesome made their mark with their first release – ‘Independent Woman’.
The Charlie’s Angels soundtrack spent 11 consecutive weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the most recognisable songs Beyonce’s had vocals on.
9. Then came ‘Survivor’.
It had ‘Independent Woman,’ Survivor’ and ‘Bootylicious’ on the track listing. Enough said.
10. Beyonce managed to add a word to the Oxford English Dictionary. That’s powerful.
Only the most powerful woman in music could make a word like ‘bootylicious’ an actual, official world.
11. Destiny’s Child has sold more than 60 million records worldwide to date.
They are the ninth most successful artist/ band of the 2000s and one of the most successful female groups ever.
12. In one of the most powerful moves she’s ever made – Beyonce’s went solo.
When Destiny’s Child decided to have a temporary break to focus on solo careers, Beyonce released her first solo album ‘Dangerously In Love’. It sold 11 million copies, went to number 1 and earnt her 5 grammy awards. There was no going back.
13. Her debut single from the album, ‘Crazy In Love,’ is one of the best-selling singles ever.
The Jay Z collaboration would go on to top endless ‘Best Song Of The 2000s’ lists.
14. After the success of Beyonce’s first solo album, Destiny’s Child decided to go their separate ways.
It’s unsurprising that Beyonce decided to go at it alone after securing such success with ‘Dangerously In Love’. The group parted ways after releasing ‘Destiny Fulfilled’.
15. But before they split, they were awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
That’s how you know you’ve really made it. Picture: PA
16. With Destiny’s Child behind her Bey had to prove herself with her second solo album – ‘B’Day’
In 2006, still only aged 25, Beyonce released her second solo album, with ‘Irreplaceable’ and ‘Beautiful Liar’ on it, it’s no wonder it debuted at number 1.
17. Once again, Jay Z popped up on a record.
‘Deja Vu’ was the lead single on the album. Other hits on it included ‘Ring The Alarm,’ ‘Get Me Bodied’ and ‘Green Light’.
18. The Queen only grew bigger with her first solo tour ‘The Beyonce Experience’.
On her first tour Beyonce visited a staggering 97 venues – the tour grossed over $24 million. Beyonce was the most powerful woman in music, could she stay at the top?
19. With music in the bag, Beyonce conquered acting.
She starred alongside Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy in ‘Dreamgirls,’ a film that showed off her incredible vocals and her little-known acting skills.
20. The most powerful woman in music married one of music’s most powerful men.
In 2008 the music super couple got married in a private ceremony, somehow managing to keep all of the press away.
21. ‘I Am… Sasha Fierce’ became Beyonce’s third consecutive number 1 album.
‘If I Were A Boy,’ ‘Sweet Dreams’ and ‘Single Ladies’ were all instant hits from the album. Beyonce was absolutely unstoppable.
22. She had her own alter ego.
Only someone respected all over the world could create her own alter ego and be taken seriously. Beyonce said she created ‘Sasha Fierce’ to keep her sexy, aggressive, provocative stage persona separate from who she really is, claiming “I’m not like her in real life at all”
23. The ‘Single Ladies’ video will go down in history.
As visual as she is vocal, Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ video won numerous awards and lead to an internet craze that saw countless parodies pop up everywhere.
24. “Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time.”
We all remember the moment Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift after she beat Beyonce to win ‘Best Female Video’ at the 2009 VMAs. Beyonce handled the situation with grace, asking Taylor to join her on stage when she did pick up a later award.
25. She remembered to give back.
Beyonce’s given many large donations to charity, most notable was when she starred as Etta James in the 2008 film ‘Cadillac Records’ and donated her entire salary. Picture: beyonce.cpm
26. In an unexpected move, Beyonce seriously went solo – firing her own dad.
He had managed Beyonce since the early Destiny’s Child days. But in 2011 Beyonce fired her own dad, although rumours were flying around as to why, she didn’t reveal the real reason until her documentary was released two years later, claiming she “just wanted her dad”. Picture: iam.beyonce.com
27. Beyoncé was the first solo female to headline Glastonbury in over 20 years.
In 2011 Queen Bey took to the main stage and broke the cycle.
28. And, she has her own all-female band.
Beyonce describes herself as a modern day feminist – and on stage, she has her ladies behind her. Picture: beyonce.com
29. Beyonce is one of the highest paid performers in the world.
Seriously, she is IN. DEMAND.
30. Unsurprisingly, her next album ‘4’ also went to number 1.
That’s her fourth consecutive album to debut at number 1, but who’s counting? (We are).
31. How does the most powerful woman in music announce she’s pregnant?
During a performance, obviously. In 2011 Beyonce ripped open her blazer and rubbed her belly to announce Blue Ivy way on the way.
32. Beyonce has performed for the Obamas not once…
33. But twice.
That’s the most powerful man in the world by the way (behind the most powerful woman in music).
34. Next step – an unbelievable performance at the 2013 Super Bowl.
So incredible that the performance stands as the second most tweeted about moment in history at 268,000 tweets per minute
35. And let’s not forget this moment.
It was the moment everyone had been waiting for – Destiny’s Child were back on stage together again for one night only.
36. In a 2013 H&M campaign, Beyonce criticised the brand for airbrushing her.
Beyonce asked that only natural images were used, rather than any that have been ‘retouched’.
37. Later that year, Beyonce release ‘Life Is But A Dream’
The autobiographical documentary gave an insight into the star’s personal and professional life, showcasing just how much control she has over her own music and shows.
38. Did we mention Beyonce produced and directed the documentary herself?
That’s how much control she has! Picture: iam.beyonce.com
39. As if babies, Super Bowls and modelling wasn’t enough, then came the Mrs. Carter Tour.
The woman doesn’t stop! In under one year she is performing 123 dates worldwide!
40. And then, Beyonce went quiet.
But when Beyonce goes quiet… Don’t think she isn’t busy.
41. Out of nowhere, in the middle of the night, came an entire new album.
Somehow Beyonce and her team managed to keep her new album ‘Beyonce,’ under wraps. And in a move never made before, it was released with no promotion. Picture: Instagram/Beyonce
42. And it isn’t any old album – it’s a ‘visual’ album.
There are 17 stunning cinematic videos accompanying every track on the album. We told you to be most afraid when Beyonce was quiet – she was busy stirring up a plan to change music.
43. Of course, ‘Beyonce’ went straight in a number one on the album charts.
That made her the first female artist in the chart’s history to have her first five studio albums debut at number one
44. Beyonce is one of the best-selling music artist of all time.
As a solo artist she has sold over 13 million albums in the US, and over 118 million records worldwide (a further 60 million additionally with Destiny’s Child), making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time
