Destiny's Child History

Managed by Music World Management's Mathew Knowles, who's responsible for putting them on the fast track to stardom, the down-to-earth members of Destiny's Child have come a long way since forming the group in their pre-teens. LaTavia Roberson (born on November 1, 1981 in Houston, Texas) and Beyonce Giselle Knowles (Born in Houston, Texas on September 4, 1981) have been with the group since its 1990 inception. It was Knowles and Roberson who first began singing together at age 10. Kelly Rowland (born Kelendria Rowland on February 11, 1981) joined the group in 1992 and LeToya Luckett (born on March 11, 1981 in Houston, Texas) completed the line-up in 1993. With all four girls growing up in deeply religious Christian households, the group's name was taken from the Book of Isaiah - in which destiny and God's promise to the faithful are a central theme.

As the group progressed, voices were honed and stage presence and style were developed, leading up to the consummate, very feminine, tastefully sensual image they project today. Back then, as they do now, Destiny's Child displayed amazing talent that was advanced far beyond their still tender years. They often performed for young as well as older audiences in and around Houston, amassing a large, cross-generation fan base in the process. However, things didn't always run smooth. Indeed, working their way to the top has had its set-backs. One of Houston's hottest home town attractions, Destiny's Child eventually found themselves sharing stages with some of the biggest acts in the business.

Knowles' father was an early influence, managing the fledgling group until a record deal with Columbia Records was signed in 1997. Their breakthrough hit came that same year, with their hit "Killing Time" featured on "The Men In Black" movie soundtrack. Their self-titled debut album was released the following year with the track "No No No" soon reaching the Top 10, followed by a string of additional hits including "With Me" and "Get On The Bus".

"The Writing's On The Wall", their second album, provided the group with their first No. 1 hit, "Bills, Bills, Bills", in 1999. With the departure of Roberson and Luckett, Farrah Franklin and Michelle Williams joined the group in February 2000 to replace them. Shortly afterward, the quartet had their biggest hit to date with "Say My Name", but another shakeup soon followed with the quick departure of Farrah Franklin, but Destiny's Child - now a trio - continued on with hit blockbuster singles including "Independent Women Part 1" featured on the "Charlie's Angels" movie soundtrack.

And with the release of third album Survivor, Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams--the positive, empowered and talented women who make up one of the world's best-selling-ever female groups--rise to the next level of their incredible career. Survivor truly represents a new dimension for Destiny's Child. For although you know their upbeat, sophisticated sound from their previous two albums and hit singles (which have sold more than 15 million copies worldwide) you have yet to hear such diversity, such depth.

From the sweet, mellifluous beauty of ballads like "Brown Eyes" and "Dangerously in Love" to such take-no-prisoners power jams as the first single/title track ("Survivor") and the #1 single "Independent Women Part I"--which first rose to hit status on the Charlie's Angels soundtrack--and its equally saucy sequel, "Part II," Destiny's Child have created a spectacular sonic palette. Dance-floor anthems like the spicy, island-flavored "Sexy Daddy" and the old-school disco-funk of the rump-shakin' "Bootylicious" balance an a cappella gospel medley and the trio's sensitive, soaring cover of "Emotion" (a 1978 disco hit for Samantha Sang written by Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees), a unique showcase for their various vocal gifts.

After completing work on "Survivor" (which won the Best R&B Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocals Grammy) and "8 Days of Christmas" in 2001, Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle each took some time to explore their individual identities in a series of highly-successful solo projects.

In April 2002, Michelle Williams became the first member of Destiny's Child to have a solo project released. "Heart To Yours", Michelle's contemporary gospel collection, reached #1 on the Top Gospel Albums chart. Michelle's second gospel album, "Do You Know" reached the #2 slot on the Top Christian Album chart and #3 on the Top Gospel Albums chart shortly after its release in January 2004. A re-release of "Do You Know", featuring two new bonus tracks was released in December 2004. Michelle earned rave reviews after replacing Toni Braxton in the lead role of "Aida" on Broadway in November 2003.

Released in October 2002, Kelly Rowland's solo debut, "Simply Deep" featured the #1 Billboard Hot 100 smash hit, "Dilemma," Kelly's Grammy-winning (Best Rap/Sung Collaboration) duet with hip-hop superstar Nelly. The album became an international smash, hitting the #1 slot on the UK and several other countries' album charts while peaking in the states at #3 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart.

Beyonce's burgeoning career as an actress began in 2001 with the lead role in the MTV film "Carmen: A Hip Hopera". She displayed her comedic prowess as "Foxxy Cleopatra" in 2002's "Austin Powers In Gold member", starring Mike Myers. She starred opposite Cuba Gooding, Jr., in 2003's "The Fighting Temptations". Her latest film project is a prequel to "The Pink Panther", starring Steve Martin as "Inspector Clouseau" and Beyonce as "Xania".

Beyonce toured America for the first time as a solo artist in support of her #1 multi-platinum debut solo album, "Dangerously In Love", which earned her five 2004 Grammy Awards including Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best&B Song for "Crazy In Love", her smash single featuring Jay-Z. With her five Grammy win, Beyonce tied the record set by Lauryn Hill in 1999--and later tied by Alicia Keys (2001) and Norah Jones (2002)--for the most Grammys to be won in a single year by a female artist.

Most recently, Knowles reunited with Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland for their latest album, "Destiny Fulfilled", released in 2004.

"Destiny Fulfilled" is Destiny's Child's sixth album. Filled with soaring harmonies, rich with rhythm and nuance and brimming with a passionate, purposeful style that is quintessentially their own, "Destiny Fulfilled" is not only the strongest album of the group's career: it is the album they were destined to make.

"Destiny Fulfilled" is executive produced by Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams & Mathew Knowles. Beyonce is the key producer of all the album's tracks and the record's musical concepts and vocal arrangements are the result of her artistic vision. Her tireless work ethic and attention to studio details have created the masterfully seamless flow, boundless energy and exquisite polish of "Destiny Fulfilled". "Destiny Fulfilled" is markedly more mature and focused, reflecting Beyonce's, Kelly's and Michelle's emotional development while mirroring their true-life experiences.

Sources: Official Site, GeoCities, chiff.com, MSN Groups.