.jpg)
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles (play /biˈjɒnseɪ/ bee-yon-say; born September 4, 1981), often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American R&B recording artist, actress and fashion designer. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child. Knowles rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time.During the hiatus of Destiny's Child, Knowles released her debut solo album Dangerously in Love in 2003, which spawned the number-one hits "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy" and became one of the most successful albums of that year, earning her a then record-tying five Grammy Awards. group's disbandment in 2005, Knowles released her second solo album, B'Day in 2006. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and included the hits "Irreplaceable" and "Beautiful Liar". Her third solo album I Am... Sasha Fierce was released in 2008, and included the anthemic "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". The album earned Knowles six Grammys at the 52nd Grammy Awards, breaking the record for most Grammy Awards won by a female artist in one nightApart from her work in music, Knowles has also launched a career in acting. In 2001, she made her debut in the musical film Carmen: A Hip Hopera, prior to appearing in major films, including Dreamgirls (2006), which earned her two Golden Globe nominations, and Cadillac Records (2008). In 2004, Knowles and her mother introduced their family's fashion line, House of Deréon, and has also endorsed brands such as Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger, Armani and L'Oréal. In June 2010, Knowles was ranked second on Forbes list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential celebrities in the world, and first on its list of the Most Powerful and Influential musicians in the worldKnowles has earned numerous awards and accolades. She is one of the most honored artists by the Grammys, and third among female artists, with a total of 16 Grammy Awards 13 as a solo artist and 3 as a member of Destiny's ChildKnowles was ranked the 4th Artist of the 2000s decade by Billboard and was listed the most successful female artist of the decade, as well as the top radio artist of the decade. The Recording Industry Association of America also listed Knowles as the top certified artist of the decade In the United States alone, Knowles has sold over 11.2 million albums and nearly 25 million singles as of May 2010. As of September 2009, she has sold 75 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all* 1 Life and career o 1.1 1981–1996: Early life and career beginnings o 1.2 1997–2001: Destiny's Child era and depression o 1.3 2002–03: Solo career, films, and Dangerously in Love o 1.4 2004–05: Destiny Fulfilled and group disbandment o 1.5 2006–07: B'Day and films o 1.6 2008–09: Marriage, I Am... Sasha Fierce, and films o 1.7 2010–present: New management and 4 * 2 Artistry o 2.1 Music and voice o 2.2 Influences o 2.3 Stage and alter ego o 2.4 Public image * 3 Awards and achievements * 4 Other ventures o 4.1 Clothing lines o 4.2 Products and endorsements * 5 Philanthropy * 6 Discography * 7 Videography * 8 See also * 9 References * 10 External linksKnowles was born in Houston, Texas, the daughter of Mathew Knowles, a professional record manager, and Tina Knowles (née Beyincé), a costume designer and hair stylist. Knowles' father is African American and her mother is of Creole (African, Native American, and French) descent.Knowles was baptized after her mother's maiden name, as a tribute to her mother She is the elder sister of Solange, a singer-songwriter and actress.Knowles was schooled at St. Mary's Elementary School in Texas, where she enrolled in dance classes, including ballet and jazz. Her talent in singing was discovered when her dance instructor began humming a song and she finished it, hitting the high-pitched notes Knowles' interest in music and performing began after participating in a school talent show. She sang John Lennon's "Imagine" and won the competition At age seven, Knowles started gaining attention from the press, having been mentioned in the Houston Chronicle as a nominee for the local performing arts award The Sammy the fall of 1990, Knowles enrolled in Parker Elementary School, a music magnet school in Houston, where she would perform on-stage with the school's choir She also attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston later went to Alief Elsik High School, located in the Houston suburban munincipality, Alief Knowles was a soloist in the choir of her church, in St. John's United Methodist Church She only lasted in the choir for two yearsBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonceBeyonce
