Destiny's Child
Their rise to fame and Achievements
Images via/ spotify.com
Why?
Girl groups have been a huge pop culture staple since the early 1960s. In the 1990s, the music industry had many girl groups with the same look and genre. Destiny's child modernized girl groups with tight harmonies and elaborate stories told through songs and music videos. Their music fit into genres such as neo-soul, pop, & Rnb. They reached out to a young generation and were a haven for not only black girls but all girls around the world. They changed my perspective on girl groups and influenced my taste in music.
photo sourced from Snapchat
About me
Hi, my name is Mariatu. I am a dual enrollment student. My love for pop culture and girl groups has led me to connect with pop icons such as Destiny's Child.
humble beginnings
photo sourced from musicoholics.com
“Losing star search was devastating, but it fueled us to become better“ - Beyoncé
In Houston, Texas, Beyonce Knowles and LaTavia Roberson befriended one another at school and decided to make a girl group named “Girls Tyme.”The group members were Kelly Rowland, Letoya Luckett, Tamar Davis, Nina Taylor, and Nikki Taylor. They began practicing every day after-school and performing at their local salon. They made it to Star Search ( a talent competition show in the ’80s) but lost the competition. Tamar, Nina, and Nikki left the group leaving Letoya, Kelly, Beyoncé, and LaTavia. Additionally, Beyonce's dad quit his day job to become their full-time manager, and they continued to practice their craft. They eventually landed a deal with Colombia records and began working on their debut album
Members
Destiny's child has had multiple members throughout their career.
” We would like for people to focus less on our group member changes and more on the talent” - Kelly
photo sourced from YouTube
Kelly Rowland
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Houston, Texas, Kelly Rowland is one of the permanent members of Destiny's Child. She met Beyonce and Latavia in school and quickly joined the group. She often sang lead and background vocals in their songs.
Years in Destiny's Child: 1989-2005
photo sourced from genius
Photo sourced from cosmopolitan magazine
Beyonce Knowles
She was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Beyonce is the front woman and one of the permanent members of Destiny's Child. She always had aspirations of being a famous singer. Her parents put her in beauty pageants and plays by the age of 5. She sang and wrote the majority of the songs Destiny’s Child had.
Years in Destiny's child 1989-2005
photo sourced from booking agent info
Latavia Roberson
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Latavia Roberson was one of the original members of Destiny's child. She had always had a love for singing hence why she cofounded the group. She never sang lead, but she did help with the background. She left was kicked out of the group alongside Letoya in 1999.
Years in Destiny's Child 1989-1999
Michelle Williams
She was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. Michelle Williams is one of the permanent members of Destiny's child.She joined after the Letoya and Latavia departure in 1999. She often sang backgrounds and had some lead parts.
Years in Destiny's Child 1999-2005
photo sourced from essence magazine
Letoya Luckett
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Letoya Luckett was one of the original members of Destiny's Child. She never sang lead but helped a lot with background vocals. She was kicked out of the group alongside Latavia in 1999
Years in Destiny's child 1989-1999
Photo sourced from Discogs
Farrah Franklin
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Farrah Franklin was a member of Destiny’s Child for only a year. She didn't sing background or lead vocals in the group. She joined at the same time as Michelle to replace Letoya and Latavia.
Years active in Destiny's chil 1999-2000
Photo sourced from shondaland
takeoff
On February 17, 1997, they released their debut album, "Destiny's Child" it landed at number 67 on the Billboard hot 100 and stayed there for several weeks. The album had positive reviews. Vibe magazine labeled them “The new Supremes.” The hit song off the album was “No, No, No pt2 featuring Wyclef Jean.” They got nominated and won the “Best New Artist VMA.”
“We’d like to thank our fans for everything, the best is yet to come” - Letoya and Beyonce
Photo sourced from Genius
No, No, No pt 2 Featuring Wyclef Jean
their turmoil
Despite their success tensions began to rise.
"This is a very hard time. They weren't just group members they were family" - Beyonce
BEyonce and kelly's side
Photo sourced from refinery magazine
Beyonce and Kelly claimed that the fallout between Latavia and Letoya was due to their laziness. Beyonce specifically, claimed that they never showed up for rehearsal, caused unnescary drama, and were hindering their success.
Letoya and latavia's side
Photo sourced from YouTube
Letoya and Latavia claim that the fallout between Kelly and Beyonce was due to financial issues. They expressed that there was unequal pay happening with their management (Beyonce's dad) and overall favoritism for Kelly and Beyonce.
Release of writings on the wall
Regardless of the drama they managed to release "The Writings on the wall" album that debuted at number 25 on the hot 100 and had hit songs like "Say my name," "Jumpin Jumpin," and "Bills, Bills, Bills."
say my name
FArewell Farrah
Letoya and Latavia were kicked out the group and Farrah and Michelle replaced them making their debut in the "Say My Name" video.
After one year with the group Farrah was kicked out of the group due to laziness. She barely sang backup and was reported to have more interest in acting. The group continued with Michelle.
Achievements
Destiny's Child released 4 double platinum studio albums, went on two world tours, earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and won 117 awards.
Albums
Fufilled: 2004
8 Days of Christmas: 2001
Survivor: 2001
"We will forever be Destiny's Child"- Kelly, Beyonce, Michelle
Hollywood walk of fame.
Grammy for best song by pop group
Impact
Although Destiny's Child disbanded 18 years ago, their impact is still prevalent with many artist of this generation citing them as their influence.
"It warms my heart to see the consistent love from out fans." - Kelly
photo sourced from Vocal Media
Fifth Harmony was co-created by Kelly Rowland. All the members of Fifth Harmony have repeatedly stated that Destiny's Child had inspired them to become singers. They gave a tribute to Destiny's Child at the IHeartRadio festival. Additionally, when one of the members Normani started her solo career, she gave homage to Destiny's Child in her music video "Motivation."
photo sourced from Pitchfork
Photo sourced from Spotify
Ariana Grande is a singer songwriter who has continuously praised Destiny's Child as one of her inspirations. When working on her "Positions" album, she stated that "During the pandemic I really went back to my childhood and binged Destiny's Child; I mimicked alot of their harmonies on this album."
Lizzo is a singer-songwriter who has cited Destiny's Child as one of her biggest influences. She stated," Coming from Texas I just saw myself in them, one time I skipped school to see them in concert."
Product
A music video. choreographed by Mariatu Saidykhan
"Destiny's Child." Billboard, www.billboard.com/artist/destinys-child/. Accessed 14 Nov, 2000
Lifetime. "(Destiny's Child) Intimate Portrait (2001)." YouTube, 20 July 2022,
youtu.be/J0KjeWtlRXE. Accessed 13 Sept. 2001.
MTV. "News Clip: Destiny's Child Break Up (2000)."
YouTube, 19 May 2012, youtu.be/vOFORSHC1VQ. Accessed 9 Apr. 2000.
Network, E!. "Destiny's Child Revealed (2002)."
YouTube, 9 Feb. 2016, youtu.be/TKwUGPmWd9k. Accessed 2 Nov. 2002.
Vlad, Dj. "Farrah: Beyonce Covered Up Real Reason I Quit Destiny's Child." YouTube,
26 Nov. 2015, youtu.be/vFVfhfAdcOI.
works cited