Beyoncé facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beyoncé
|
|
|---|---|
_(52946287590)_(face_cropped).jpg)
Beyoncé in 2023
|
|
| Born |
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles
September 4, 1981 Houston, Texas, U.S.
|
| Other names |
|
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Organization | BeyGood |
|
Works
|
|
| Title |
|
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3, including Blue Ivy |
| Parent(s) | |
| Relatives | Solange Knowles (sister) |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels |
|
| Signature | |
 |
|
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( bee-ON-say; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and businesswoman. She has made a huge impact on music. She is known for her amazing voice, different music styles, exciting live shows, and important cultural works.
Beyoncé became famous in 1997 as part of Destiny's Child. This was one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. Her first solo album, Dangerously in Love (2003), became a best-selling album. It had hit songs like "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy". Beyoncé kept having success with albums like B'Day (2006) and I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). These albums featured popular songs such as "Irreplaceable" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)". She has also acted in movies like Dreamgirls (2006) and voiced Nala in The Lion King (2019).
Beyoncé started her own company, Parkwood Entertainment. She then created unique musical events with her concept albums. Her albums Beyoncé (2013) and Lemonade (2016) explored personal and political ideas. These albums helped make "surprise albums" and "visual albums" popular. Lemonade was the best-selling album worldwide in 2016. Her recent projects, Renaissance (2022) and Cowboy Carter (2024), celebrate the history of Black artists in American music. These albums include hit songs like "Break My Soul" and "Texas Hold 'Em".
Beyoncé has sold over 200 million records worldwide. This makes her one of the best-selling artists ever. She is the only female artist to have all her solo albums debut at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. She has won more Grammy Awards (35) than any other artist. Billboard named her the Top Female Artist of the 2000s. She was also named the Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century. Beyoncé was the first woman to headline an all-stadium tour. She is one of the highest-earning live performers in history.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born on September 4, 1981, in Houston, Texas. Her mother, Tina Knowles, owned a hair salon. Her father, Mathew Knowles, was a sales manager. Beyoncé's younger sister, Solange Knowles, is also a singer.
Beyoncé's singing talent was discovered early. When she was seven, she won a school talent show. She sang John Lennon's "Imagine" and beat older contestants. In 1990, she went to Parker Elementary School, a music magnet school. She performed with the school's choir. She also sang solos in her church choir for two years.
Forming Girl's Tyme
When Beyoncé was eight, she met LaTavia Roberson at an audition. They joined a group called Girl's Tyme with three other girls. They rapped and danced at talent shows in Houston. A producer saw them and brought them to the TV show Star Search. Girl's Tyme did not win. Beyoncé later said the song they performed wasn't good enough.
In 1995, Beyoncé's father, Mathew, quit his job to manage the group. This meant less money for the family. They had to sell their house and cars. Mathew made the group smaller, with only four girls. They opened for other R&B groups. After trying with different record labels, they finally signed with Columbia Records.
Rise to Fame with Destiny's Child
Becoming Destiny's Child
The group changed their name to Destiny's Child in 1996. The name came from a passage in the Book of Isaiah. In 1997, they released their first major song, "Killing Time". It was on the soundtrack for the movie Men in Black. In November, they released their first big hit, "No, No, No". Their first album, Destiny's Child, came out in 1998.
Their second album, The Writing's on the Wall, was released in 1999. It sold millions of copies. This album had hit songs like "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name". "Say My Name" became one of their most famous songs. It won two Grammy Awards.
Solo Acting and Group Hiatus
In 2001, Beyoncé starred in the TV movie Carmen: A Hip Hopera. It was a modern version of an old opera. When their third album, Survivor, came out in May 2001, it debuted at number one. The song "Survivor" also won a Grammy. After releasing a holiday album, the group decided to take a break. They wanted to work on their solo careers.
In 2002, Beyoncé made her movie debut in Austin Powers in Goldmember. She played Foxxy Cleopatra. The movie was a big success. She also released "Work It Out" from the soundtrack. In 2003, she starred in the musical comedy The Fighting Temptations. She sang "Fighting Temptation" for the movie's soundtrack.
Solo Success and Global Tours
Dangerously in Love and B'Day
Beyoncé's first solo album, Dangerously in Love, was released in June 2003. It sold over 11 million copies worldwide. The first song from the album, "Crazy in Love" with Jay-Z, became her first number-one solo hit. "Baby Boy" also reached number one. The album won Beyoncé five Grammy Awards.
In 2004, Beyoncé sang the American national anthem at the Super Bowl XXXVIII. Destiny's Child then reunited for their final album, Destiny Fulfilled. They went on a worldwide tour. In 2005, the group announced they would break up after the tour. They released a greatest hits album and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Beyoncé's second solo album, B'Day, came out on her 25th birthday in September 2006. It debuted at number one. The song "Irreplaceable" became a huge hit worldwide. B'Day won a Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album.
In 2006, Beyoncé also starred in the movie The Pink Panther. Her second film, Dreamgirls, was a big success. She played a pop singer inspired by Diana Ross. She released "Listen" from the soundtrack. In 2007, Beyoncé started her first worldwide tour, The Beyoncé Experience. She visited 97 places and earned over $24 million.
I Am... Sasha Fierce and 4
I Am... Sasha Fierce was released in November 2008. It introduced Beyoncé's alter ego Sasha Fierce. It became her third number-one album. The album had hit songs like "If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". The music video for "Single Ladies" became very popular and was copied by many.
In 2008, Beyoncé played blues singer Etta James in the movie Cadillac Records. Critics praised her acting. She also starred in the thriller Obsessed. At the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, Beyoncé won six Grammys. This set a new record for a female artist in one night. In 2010, she sang on Lady Gaga's hit song "Telephone".
Beyoncé took a break from music in 2010. She traveled and found new inspiration. She was the first solo female artist to headline the main stage at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival. Her fourth album, 4, was released in 2011. It became her fourth number-one album. It included songs like "Run the World (Girls)" and "Love on Top".
Visual Albums and Cultural Impact
Super Bowl and Beyoncé
.jpg)
In January 2013, Beyoncé sang the national anthem at President Obama's second inauguration. The next month, she performed at the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show. Her performance was watched by millions and was a huge topic on social media. Her documentary film, Life Is But a Dream, came out in February 2013.
Beyoncé started The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in April 2013. It was one of her most successful tours ever. On December 13, 2013, she surprised everyone by releasing her fifth album, Beyoncé, without any warning. It debuted at number one, making her the first woman to have her first five albums all debut at number one. The album was praised by critics and sold millions of copies. It explored deeper themes like marriage and motherhood.
In 2014, Beyoncé and Jay-Z went on their first co-headlining stadium tour, On the Run Tour. She received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards. Forbes magazine reported that Beyoncé was the top-earning woman in music in 2014, earning $115 million.
Lemonade and Formation World Tour
On February 6, 2016, Beyoncé released "Formation". She performed it live at the NFL Super Bowl 50 halftime show. After the performance, she announced The Formation World Tour. This was the first all-stadium tour by a female artist. It earned $256 million from 49 sold-out shows.
In April 2016, Beyoncé released Lemonade as a surprise visual album on HBO. It debuted at number one, making her the first artist to have her first six albums debut at number one. All 12 songs from Lemonade appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the same time. Lemonade was highly praised by critics and was the best-selling album worldwide in 2016. The visuals for Lemonade won eight awards at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, making Beyoncé the most-awarded artist in VMA history.
In 2017, Beyoncé was supposed to headline the Coachella Music and Arts Festival. However, she had to cancel due to her pregnancy. She later headlined the 2018 festival. At the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, Lemonade received nine nominations and won two. In late 2017, she collaborated with J Balvin on "Mi Gente" and with Ed Sheeran on "Perfect", which became her sixth solo number-one song.
Everything Is Love and The Lion King
On April 14, 2018, Beyoncé headlined the Coachella Music Festival. Her performance was called historic and one of the greatest concerts ever. It was the most-watched live performance on YouTube of all time. The show celebrated Black culture and featured a live band with over 100 dancers. Destiny's Child also reunited during the show.
On June 16, 2018, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, as The Carters, released their joint album Everything Is Love. They also released the music video for "Apeshit". The album received good reviews. In December 2018, they headlined the Global Citizen Festival in South Africa.
Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé, a documentary about her 2018 Coachella performances, was released on Netflix in April 2019. It came with a live album. Beyoncé voiced Nala in the 2019 remake of The Lion King. She also produced and curated a companion album, The Lion King: The Gift, featuring African producers.
In April 2020, Beyoncé was featured on the remix of Megan Thee Stallion's song "Savage", which reached number one. In June 2020, she released the charity single "Black Parade". Black Is King, a visual album based on The Lion King: The Gift, premiered on Disney+ in July 2020. It celebrated the Black experience. Beyoncé won four Grammys at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, making her the most-awarded female artist in Grammy history. In 2021, she wrote and recorded "Be Alive" for the film King Richard, earning her first Academy Award nomination.
Renaissance and Cowboy Carter
_(52946286530)_(cropped).jpg)
On June 15, 2022, Beyoncé announced her seventh album, Renaissance. The first song, "Break My Soul", was released on June 20. The album came out on July 29, 2022. "Break My Soul" became her 20th top ten single on the Billboard Hot 100.
Beyoncé shared that Renaissance was the first part of a trilogy she recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Renaissance received great reviews and debuted at number one. This made her the first female artist to have her first seven studio albums debut at number one in the U.S.
In February 2023, Beyoncé announced the Renaissance World Tour. It became one of the highest-grossing tours by a female artist. In November 2023, she released the documentary concert film Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, which she wrote, directed, and produced.
In February 2024, Beyoncé launched her hair care brand Cécred. She also announced the second part of her trilogy project. She released two songs, "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages". "Texas Hold 'Em" became her ninth solo number-one hit. On March 12, 2024, she announced the album's title, Cowboy Carter. This country and gospel-inspired album was released on March 29. It included collaborations with artists like Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton.
Beyoncé reprised her role as Nala for Mufasa: The Lion King, a prequel to the 2019 film, released in December 2024. She also headlined the first ever NFL Christmas Gameday Halftime Show. The Cowboy Carter Tour was announced for February 2025. At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, Beyoncé made history by winning an award in the country music categories. She also won Grammy Award for Album of the Year, becoming the first Black woman to do so since 1999.
Artistic Style
Voice and Music
With "Single Ladies", I'd just gotten married, and people want to get married every day. Then there was the whole Justin Timberlake thing [recreating the video] on Saturday Night Live, and it was also the year YouTube blew up. With "Irreplaceable", the aggressive lyrics, the acoustic guitar, and the 808 drum machine – those things don't typically go together, and it sounded fresh. "Crazy in Love" was another one of those classic moments in pop culture that none of us expected. I asked Jay to get on the song the night before I had to turn my album in – thank God he did. It still never gets old, no matter how many times I sing it.
Critics often describe Beyoncé's voice as a mezzo-soprano. Her voice is unique and powerful. One critic said her voice is "velvety yet tart". Others praise her wide range and strength. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her as the eighth greatest singer ever. They noted that her voice holds "the entire history of Black music".
Beyoncé's music is mainly R&B, pop, and hip hop. She also adds soul and funk to her songs. She mostly sings in English, but she has also recorded several Spanish songs.
Songwriting and Production
Beyoncé helps write most of her songs. Her early songs with Destiny's Child focused on female empowerment. Later, she wrote more about relationships.
Her songwriting process often involves combining parts of different songs. This changes how the songs are structured. Songwriters who work with her have called her a "scientist of songs" and a "genius writer".
In 2001, she became the first Black woman to win the Pop Songwriter of the Year award at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards. She is tied for having nine songwriting credits on number-one singles. In 2011, Billboard listed her among the Top 20 Hot 100 Songwriters.
I am really passionate about all of the steps [during] the production [...] I love to stack vocals, and I love to create my own little Oreo with arrangements, sometimes it can be thousands of vocals [and then] I go back and then kind of piece things together, because usually the songs are way too long [...] I go back and edit the structure of the song. [I] make sure that [...] every section has an intention, so that takes months. [...] I hear certain elements of things that go with things that are opposites. I am rarely happy with one track, it's usually four or five things put together that again don't really go together. I am so excited when I'm able to adjust the tempo and key and mute certain elements that don't complement and put opposites together. Sometimes it's just like the EQ of a synth or the warmth of a bass or the distortion of a bass that's on a different song and I can hear like, 'Ah! That's exactly what is missing to make the track full and complete!'
Beyoncé is very involved in producing her songs. Her collaborators often call her a genius at it. She pays close attention to every detail in her music.
Influences and Stage Presence
Beyoncé says Michael Jackson is her biggest musical influence. She saw him perform when she was five and knew she wanted to be a performer. She also admires Tina Turner for her strength and Diana Ross as an "all-around entertainer". Other influences include Whitney Houston, Madonna, and Mariah Carey.
Her album I Am... Sasha Fierce was inspired by Etta James. Her album 4 was influenced by Fela Kuti and 1990s R&B. Beyoncé is also inspired by people like Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. She looks up to Jay-Z for his lyrics and how he overcame challenges.
In 2006, Beyoncé created her all-female band, Suga Mama. They have supported her in most of her live shows. Critics praise Beyoncé's stage presence and powerful voice during her performances. She is known for being in control on stage. The former President of Def Jam called her "the greatest entertainer alive".
I choose to invest my time and energy only in projects that I am passionate about. Once I've committed, I give it all of me. I start with identifying my intention and making sure that I am aligned with the collaborators for the same purpose. It takes enormous patience to rock with me. My process is tedious. I review every second of footage several times and know it backwards and forwards. I find every ounce of magic and then I deconstruct it. I keep building more layers and repeat this editing process for months. I won't let up until it's undeniably reached its full potential. I believe my strength is understanding how storytelling, music, lighting, angles, fashion, art direction, history, dance, and editing work together. They are all equally important.
Beyoncé has worked with many directors for her music videos. The visuals for Lemonade even inspired the director of the movie Beauty and the Beast.
Personal Life and Activism
Family Life
In 2002, Beyoncé and Jay-Z worked together on the song "'03 Bonnie & Clyde". They married on April 4, 2008, without telling the public. They are known for keeping their relationship private.
In August 2011, Beyoncé announced she was pregnant at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. This announcement set a record for the "most tweets per second" on Twitter. On January 7, 2012, she gave birth to her daughter, Blue Ivy.
On February 1, 2017, she announced on Instagram that she was expecting twins. This post became the most liked image on Instagram at the time. On July 13, 2017, she shared the first photo of her twins, Rumi and Sir. They were born on June 13, 2017.
Giving Back to the Community
In 2002, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Tina Knowles built the Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth in Houston. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Beyoncé and Rowland started the Survivor Foundation. It helped families who lost their homes. Beyoncé also donated $100,000 to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund after Hurricane Ike. In 2007, she founded the Knowles-Temenos Place Apartments, providing homes for people in need.
After starring in Cadillac Records in 2009, Beyoncé learned about Phoenix House, a group that helps people recover from addiction. She donated her entire salary from the film to them. She and her mother also started the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center. It helps clients learn cosmetology skills.
In 2010, Beyoncé took part in a telethon to help victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. She also became an ambassador for the 2012 World Humanitarian Day campaign. She donated her song "I Was Here" to the campaign. In 2013, she worked with Salma Hayek and Frida Giannini on a Gucci "Chime for Change" campaign. This campaign supports female empowerment and education for women and girls.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z have secretly donated money to help Black Lives Matter protesters. During her Formation World Tour, Beyoncé's team met with community leaders to see how she could help local charities. She pledged to fund 10 college scholarships.
In June 2016, Beyoncé donated over $82,000 to help victims of the Flint water crisis. She also helped 14 students in Michigan with college expenses. In August 2016, Beyoncé and Jay-Z donated $1.5 million to civil rights groups. After Hurricane Matthew, they donated $15 million to help rebuild homes in Haiti.
During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Beyoncé launched BeyGOOD Houston. It provided supplies and funded long-term recovery projects. She visited Houston to help survivors. She also donated proceeds from her song "Mi Gente" to disaster relief charities.
In April 2020, Beyoncé donated $6 million to help essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also provided free COVID-19 tests in Houston. All proceeds from her song "Black Parade" went to the Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund. This fund gives grants to Black-owned small businesses. In December 2020, Beyoncé donated $500,000 to help people facing eviction in the U.S.
Business Ventures and Fashion
Business and Endorsements
In 2010, Beyoncé started her own entertainment company, Parkwood Entertainment. It handles her music, movies, videos, and fashion brands. The company is named after a street in Houston where she used to live. Parkwood Entertainment has released Beyoncé's albums and signed other artists like Chloe x Halle.
In February 2024, Beyoncé launched Cécred, a hair care line. She also started an annual grant with BeyGood. This grant provides financial support to cosmetology students and hair stylists.
Beyoncé has worked with Pepsi since 2002. In 2012, she signed a $50 million deal to endorse Pepsi. She has also promoted fragrances for Tommy Hilfiger and Emporio Armani. In 2010, she launched her first fragrance, Heat. Her Heat fragrance line has sold over $400 million.
In March 2015, Beyoncé became a co-owner of the music streaming service Tidal. She owns it with other artists like Kanye West and Rihanna. In November 2020, Beyoncé partnered with Peloton, an exercise equipment company. They donated free memberships to students at historically Black colleges and universities.
In 2021, Beyoncé and Jay-Z partnered with Tiffany & Co. for their "About Love" campaign. Beyoncé wore the famous Tiffany Yellow Diamond.
Fashion Lines
In 2005, Beyoncé and her mother launched House of Deréon, a women's fashion line. It was inspired by three generations of women in their family. The name honors Beyoncé's grandmother, Agnèz Deréon, who was a seamstress. The collection included sportswear, denim, and accessories.
In October 2014, Beyoncé signed a deal to launch an activewear line with British fashion retailer Topshop. The brand is called Ivy Park. Its name is a nod to Beyoncé's daughter and her favorite number, four (IV). She later bought out Topshop's share and now owns the brand herself.
In April 2019, Beyoncé partnered with Adidas to further develop Ivy Park. She also creates new clothes and footwear for Adidas. In March 2023, Beyoncé and Adidas ended their partnership. In March 2023, Beyoncé also worked with Olivier Rousteing of Balmain on a couture collection. It had sixteen looks matching the songs on her Renaissance album.
In September 2024, Beyoncé partnered with Levi Strauss & Co. for a global campaign.
Achievements and Legacy
Awards and Recognition
Beyoncé has won many awards. She is the most-awarded individual by the Grammys, with 35 wins. She is also the most nominated artist in Grammy history. In 2010, she set a record for winning six Grammys in one night.
She has won 30 MTV Video Music Awards, making her one of the most-awarded artists in VMA history. She has also won the most awards at the BET Awards (36), Soul Train Music Awards (25), and NAACP Image Awards (25).
In 2009, Billboard named her the Top Female Artist of the Decade. In 2011, she received the Billboard Millennium Award. She received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in 2014. In 2016, she won the Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Icon Award. In 2019, she and Jay-Z received the GLAAD Vanguard Award for supporting LGBT rights. In 2020, she received the BET Humanitarian Award.
Cultural Impact
Beyoncé is seen as one of the most influential figures in music history. Billboard named her the Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century. She has changed how music is released and marketed. She popularized the "surprise album" and the "visual album". Her impact led to the Global Release Day being moved to Friday.
Her artistic ideas, like her unique singing style, have shaped popular music. She has helped revive and popularize many music genres, including hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeats, and country music.
Many musicians, from different genres and generations, say Beyoncé has influenced their careers. Taylor Swift called her a "guiding light". Lady Gaga and Rihanna were inspired to become musicians after seeing her. Adele said Beyoncé is her inspiration and favorite artist. Even artists like Paul McCartney and Garth Brooks watch her performances for inspiration.
Beyoncé is known for coining popular phrases like "put a ring on it" and "I woke up like this". In 2012, a new species of horse-fly was named Scaptia beyonceae after her because of its unique golden hairs.
Discography
|
Solo studio albums
|
with Destiny's Child
with The Carters
Soundtrack albums
|
Filmography
|
Films starred
|
Documentaries
|
Tours and Residencies
|
|
Images for kids
-
Beyoncé (center) performing with Destiny's Child in 2005.
-
Beyoncé (center) and her mother, Tina, (left) at the opening of the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center in 2010.
See also
In Spanish: Beyoncé para niños
- Forbes list of highest-earning musicians
- Honorific nicknames in popular music
- List of artists who reached number one in the United States
- List of artists with the most number-one European singles
- List of Billboard Social 50 number-one artists
- List of black Golden Globe Award winners and nominees
- List of highest-grossing live music artists
- List of most-followed Instagram accounts
