
Biography
This
urban R&B quartet was formed by Beyoncé Knowles (b. 4
September 1981, Houston, Texas, USA), LeToya Luckett (b. 11
March 1981, Houston, Texas, USA), LaTavia Roberson (b. 1
November 1981, Houston, Texas, USA) and
Kelly Rowland (b.
Kelendria Rowland, 11 February 1981, Atlanta, Georgia, USA).
Knowles and Roberson first began singing together when they were
only 10 years old. Rowland joined the duo in 1992, with Luckett
completing the line-up the following year. The quartet adopted
their biblically inspired name from a chapter in the Book Of
Isaiah. Knowles' father became their manager and set about
grooming the quartet for success. They gained a strong local
following with their street cool image and impressive vocal
harmonies, leading to opening slots for big name acts including
Immature, SWV and Dru Hill. Signed to Columbia Records in 1997
their breakthrough came when the track "Killing Time"
appeared on
The Men In Black soundtrack. Their self-titled debut, released
in 1998, featured collaborations with leading R&B/hip-hop
producers Timbaland, R. Kelly, Wyclef Jean and Missy
"Misdemeanor" Elliott. The funky "No No No"
reached both the US and UK Top 10, and was followed by further
hits including "With Me" and "Get On The
Bus", the latter taken from the Why Do Fools Fall In Love?
soundtrack.
The Writing's On
The Wall was premiered by "Bills, Bills, Bills", a
track which echoed the men-bashing sentiments of TLC's massive
summer hit "No Scrubs", and even featured the same
producer (Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs). The song
provided the quartet with their first US chart-topper in July
1999, and also reached the UK Top 10. The album featured a
greater creative input from the quartet, although they still
relied on a heavyweight production crew including Rodney
Jerkins, Missy Elliott, Chad Elliot, and Dwayne Wiggins of Tony!
Toni! Toné!. Farrah Franklin and Michelle Williams (b. 23 July
1980) joined the group in February 2000 to replace the departing
Roberson and Luckett. A month later the quartet topped the US
Hot 100 with "Say My Name". Despite ongoing personnel
problems, with Franklin leaving in August, the group enjoyed
further transatlantic hits with "Jumpin', Jumpin'" and
"Independent Women Part 1". The latter, taken from the
soundtrack of Charlie's Angels, topped the US charts for an
incredible eleven weeks.
Now firmly
established as the group's leader, Knowles took control of
songwriting and production on the ultra-slick and hugely
successful Survivor. In 2002, she made her acting debut as Foxy
Cleopatra in Austin Powers In Goldmember. Rowland branched out
into solo work during the same year, enjoying a massive
transatlantic hit with "Dilemma", a collaboration with
rapper Nelly.
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