Sept. 4: Today, Beyoncé Knowles, "If I was a Boy," is 29.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas Beyoncé Giselle Knowles has reached that rarified level where only one name suffices; like Cher and Madonna, she is instantly recognizable by only her first name - Beyoncé.

And I'm sure others agree; I'm glad she's not a boy.

Besides a highly successful career as a pop recording artist, Beyoncé is also an actress and fashion model. While growing up, Beyoncé attended 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.

Taking a break from Destiny's Child, Knowles released a solo album Dangerously in Love (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. Soon after, Destiny's Child split up, and Beyoncé released B'Day in 2006. It debuted at number one on the Billboard charts and included the hits "Déjà Vu," "Irreplaceable" and "Beautiful Liar."

Her third solo album I Am... Sasha Fierce, released in November 2008, included the anthemic "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." The album and its singles earned her six Grammy Awards, breaking the record for most Grammy Awards won by a female artist in one night. Still only in her twenties, Beyoncé is third among female artists all time, with 16 Grammy awards—13 as a solo artist and three as a member of Destiny's Child.

Press links below to view You Tube videos:

-- "Say My Name" (Destiny's Child)

-- "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"

-- "Crazy in Love" (With Jay-Z)

 

(Continued below video and Amazon portal ...)

 

HIGHLY Recommended (Press album covers for direct links to Amazon):

 

Knowles began her acting career in 2001, appearing in the musical film Carmen: A Hip Hopera. In 2006, she starred in the lead role in the film adaptation of the 1981 Broadway musical Dreamgirls, for which she earned two Golden Globe nominations. Knowles launched her family's fashion line, House of Deréon, in 2004.


In 2010, Forbes ranked Knowles at number two on its list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in the world; and was also listed as the most powerful and influential musician in the world. Time included Knowles on its list of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."

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