On this day in 1981, Beyoncé Knowles was born and the music world would never be the same. The multi-platinum and Grammy award-winning artist has recently leveraged her larger-than-life public persona to promote an empowering political message.
Born Beyoncé Giselle Knowles in Houston, TX, she started singing at a young age and, as a teenager, teamed up with Kelly Rowland and two classmates to form Destiny’s Child. Scoring a record deal in 1997, their first number one single “Bills, Bills, Bills,” put them on the map.
Beyoncé’s first solo album in 2003, “Dangerously In Love,” sold over 11 millions copies worldwide and won her five Grammy’s. Her next albums were equally successful, including “B’Day” in 2006, “I Am…Sasha Fierce” in 2008, her surprise self-titled album in 2013, and “Lemonade” in 2016. They generated many hit songs including “Irreplaceable,” “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” “Drunk In Love,” and “Halo.” Aside from her music success, Beyoncé has starred in hit films, including “Dreamgirls” and famously sang Etta James’s iconic classic “At Last” for President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s dance at his first inaugural ball in 2008.
During her Mrs. Carter Tour in 2014, Beyoncé started to integrate a more direct political message into her electrifying performances. (“Who run the world? Girls!”) During the tour and her VMA performance, she famously performed in front of a screen with “FEMINISM” emblazoned in all caps. In an interview with Elle she shared, “I put the definition of feminist in my song and on my tour, not for propaganda or to proclaim to the world that I’m a feminist, but to give clarity to the true meaning… I’m not really sure people know or understand what a feminist is, but it’s very simple. It’s someone who believes in equal rights for men and women.”
Although maintaining a mostly private persona for a star of her magnitude, Beyoncé has continued to stay political with her music. With her latest album, “Lemonade,” she explored her personal romantic struggles while also celebrating strong African-American women. She performed her politically charged song, “Formation,” while dancing with an all female crew wearing black leather and berets in homage to the Black Panthers, at the 2016 Super Bowl Halftime Show. Beyoncé has mastered the art of entertaining and educating the world. Happy Bday, Bey!