Destiny’s Child, one of the greatest girl R&B groups of all times, was first formed in 1990 when Kelly Rowland joined original members Beyoncé and LaTavia Roberson. The all-girl group appeared on Star Search, after which LeToya Luckett joined the trio, marking their rise from the Houston club scene. Their debut album didn’t live up to the expectations. But soon after, they scored their first number-one single with the song ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’ that was featured on their second album The Writing’s on the Wall.
However, it was the single ‘Say My Name’ that turned Destiny’s Child into a pop-culture phenomenon. At the peak of the group’s fame, LeToya and LaTavia were replaced with Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin, with the latter leaving the group only five months after. The trio remained the most known line-up of Destiny’s Child, which entered the history as one of the most influential all-girl groups of all times. So, here are ten things you need to know about Destiny’s Child.
10. Kelly and Michelle went solo first
Beyoncé didn’t break the ice as a solo artist. Kelly was the first one to release a solo track named ‘Angel’. The song appeared on the soundtrack of Down to Earth. After her solo outing, she collaborated with Nelly on ‘Dilemma’. Despite Kelly’s solo success, Michelle was the first one to release a solo album, the gospel project Heart To Yours.
9. Destiny’s Child is not the original name of the group
The group was formed in 1990 as Girl’s Tyme, but they changed the name three more times before settling on Destiny’s Child in 1996. They were called Something Fresh, Cliché, and Dolls. The group’s final and now famous name is a reference to a passage in the Book of Isaiah.
8. Beyoncé is not the only chart-topper
Sure, Bey is the legitimate Queen of Pop and the most prominent star that emerged from the group with numerous number-one hits and multi-platinum albums. But LeToya Luckett’s self-titled debut album in 2006 also peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 and eventually went platinum.
7. They’ve never acted together
Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle are talented actresses who have several big movies in their portfolios. However, they have never appeared in a movie or TV show together. Instead, each of them did separate acting endeavors.
6. Tina Knowles designed their costumes
While daddy Knowles was Destiny’s Child’s manager, mama Knowles was behind their unique costumes. You remember them, right? Matching, sparkly, and colorful – Destiny’s Child’s bold appearance made people wonder what they were going to wear next.
5. They have an autobiography
The power group released their autobiography in 2002. The book, entitled Soul Survivors, chronicles their life behind the scene, the demands, and drama, their struggles and triumphs in the name of fame.
4. They recorded a song for Disney
The group teamed up with Solange Knowles to record the theme song for the Disney animated series The Proud Family. They served as back vocals to Solange.
3. Solange Knowles almost joined the group
Solange once filled in after Kelly Rowland broke two toes during a quick backstage costume change. Matthew Knowles announced in 2003 that he’s definitely adding a fourth member to the group and it may as well be Solange. But two months after, it was confirmed that Solange would continue solo.
2. Destiny’s Child had an epic reunion
The epic (and much awaited) reunion of Destiny’s Child happened in 2012 when the girls recorded their first song since 2005. The Pharrell-produced ‘Nuclear’ was featured on their third compilation album called Love Songs. The bigger surprise came during the 2013 Super Bowl when Michelle and Kelly joined Beyoncé on stage for a spectacular, record-breaking halftime show.
1. Michelle and Farrah are in the video ‘Say My Name’, but their vocals aren’t on the track
LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson left the group and were replaced with Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin in between ‘Say My Name’ being recorded and the video being made. Williams and Franklin do appear in the video, but they never changed the recording, which features Luckett’s and Roberson’s vocals.
Destiny’s Child were, and still are, the epitome of the women power and feminism. They are one of the greatest bands that transformed the sound of R&B forever, inspiring the work of many artists today. Don’t forget to visit CelebJury to find more celebrity news.
