2009 Beyonce

Pop music is the most cutthroat industry known to man - its stars rise, fall, burn bright and burn fast. Some survive longer than others and Destiny's Child sensation Beyonce Giselle Knowles is one of them. After tackling mainstream video, music, fashion, dance and movie industries with gusto, she has swept award accolades and arrived as the epitome of an 'Independent Woman'.

Performing was in her blood from the age of eight, auditioning for a local kid-singing group. The native Houstonian eventually formed Destiny's Child with her mother's encouragement and father's management. Beyonce, cousin Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Tucket began performing at local events, slowly making a name for themselves and eventually leading to a slot on Star Search.

Openings for high profile acts such as Dru Hill, SWV and Immature soon followed as did their self-titled 1998 album release from Columbia. Wyclef Jean, Pras and Jermaine Dupri shared duties behind the glass leading to the quartet's first single 'No, No, No' going platinum. Their song 'Killing Time' was also featured in the blockbuster movie 'Men In Black', no doubt drumming up some attention.

Their follow-up Writing On The Wall was released in 1999 scoring four hits, 'Bug a Boo', 'Jumpin, Jumpin', 'Bills, Bills Bills' and the smash 'Say My Name'. Reaching triple platinum status, the album brought in the girls' first taste of sweeping superstardom as well as acknowledgement and merit from the industry.

Two Grammy nominations, three Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, an 'Image' Award for Outstanding Duo or Group by the NAACP and two soundtrack contributions to 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love' and 'Romeo Must Die' kept the quartet extremely busy. Unfortunately the quick success led to 'creative differences' with management - aka the departure of LeToya Tuckett and LaTavia Roberson in March 2000.

Replacement Michelle Williams (plus Farrah Franklin for five months) arrived just in time to celebrate the wildly successful Survivor album. Beyonce took on exceptional responsibility for this endeavor, writing and producing nearly every song on the album. The Bee-Gee cover/hit 'Emotion' is probably the lone exception. Other hits include 'Bootylicious', 'Survivor', and 'Independent Women Part I' off of the movie soundtrack for 'Charlie's Angels'. With numerous soundtrack singles under their belt, Beyonce caught the acting bug and experimented with MTV's hip-hopera 'Carmen'. Modest reviews aside, this led to a starring role in the Mike Myers' smash 'Goldmember'. 2003's 'The Fighting Temptations' with Cuba Gooding Jr. was released in what can only be described as the pinnacle of her musical career thus far.

After her fellow DC members released their respective solo projects, Beyonce brought up the rear with her solo album entitled Dangerously In Love. An honest effort, she racked up 5 Grammies including Best R&B song, Best Female R&B, Best R&B Collaboration (duet with soul legend Luthur Vandross) and Best Rap Collaboration, for 'Crazy in Love', a duet with significant-other rapper Jay-Z. After its triple platinum achievement in February of 2004, nominations for three MTV video music awards, and heavy rotation of her video 'Baby Boy' with Sean Paul, she is everywhere. Not bad for someone born in 1981. Singing the national anthem at 2004 Super Bowl, left the singer on top, with little left to conquer. Up next is "The Beyonce Experience brought to you by Samsung and L'Oreal Paris" tour in support of her latest album B-Day in April of 2007. It promises to be a sold-out affair.