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Girl power in full steam
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This hip-hop band can take credit for probably the highest number of splits and reunions — and a new album too
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Destiny's Child is one of the very few bands where the individual members have been as successful as the band.
IT IS the band that displaced TLC from its "biggest female Hip-hop act" status. Known for their split-offs and reunions which became as popular as their unique brand of music, the trio is known to have taken woman power to a whole new level, thanks to its whiplash lyrics. Take a bow, Destiny's Child.
Destiny's Child is one of the very few bands where the individual members have been as successful (if not more) in their solo careers as well. The band originally started off with Beyonce Knowles and LaTavia Robertson from Houston, Texas, in 1990, and went on to give the other "diva" groups such as En Vogue a run for their money. Two years later, Beyonce's cousin Kelly Rowland joined the duo and in 1993, LeToya Luckett came in, after which the group made in recording debut with a track called "Killing Time" which was featured in the Men In Black film soundtrack. A full-fledged album was released a year later, but failed to impress listeners. Except for "No No No", the first single, none of the other tracks made any significant impact.
The actual onslaught on the chart began with a track called "Say My Name" from the second album Writings On The Wall, and just when the group's popularity was on an all-time high, the splitting act began when Robertson and Luckett called it a day and had to be replaced by Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin (who decided to pursue career after just one album!). Finally, it was the 2000 album Survivor that established Destiny's Child as one of the most powerful hip-hop bands in recent times.
Tracks such as "Bootylicious" and "Survivor", besides helping to create a new vocabulary (try finding "bootylicious" in a dictionary), sold over four million copies worldwide. After reinforcing their popularity with a couple of Christmas albums, the group began its split act episode three. Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle went on to pursue their solo careers. Beyonce hit the jackpot with her album Dangerously In Love. Tracks such as "Crazy In Love", "Baby Boy" and "Naughty Girl" stormed the dance charts worldwide and established her as the R&B goddess of the 21st Century. Kelly, meanwhile, just had one hit, a collaboration with Nelly for "Dilemma". Michelle went into hibernation.
A week back, Destiny's Child shook the international music scene by reuniting yet again, for its new album Destiny Fulfilled (Sony Music, Cassette, Rs. 135). The first single, "Lose My Breath", is being played by all the popular DJs in the country, mainly due to its lyrical power and a bass-line that reminds you of 50 Cents' "In The Club". "Soldier", the second video, is a little slower but grows on you after repeated listening. Other tracks such as "Bad habit" and "Cater 2 You" are potential hits, and can be expected to enter the charts in the months to come.
This time around, Destiny's Child pumps in more power and energy, but skilfully maintains the sublime flavour of R&B. Considering the soaring popularity levels of hip-hop and R&B, Destiny's Child are ready to relive the Survivor days.
A. VISHNU
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