Beyonc
Ask Beyonc what she wants people to hear when they listen to Dangerously In Love, her debut solo album, and the multi-platinum-selling pop/urban recording artist answers, "My range. I want them to hear all of the musical influences from hip-hop to rock to jazz, there's even a Shuggie Otis sample. I want them to really hear the talent. I know that folks love me as a pop star. Now I want them to understand me as an artist."
That they will. Musically challenging and lyrically honest, Dangerously In Love is more than just a solo CD from a superstar. It is everything you'd expect from Beyonc and more than you could have hoped for. Another side of someone we've loved for years, Dangerously In Love is equally divided between seductive mid-tempos, lush ballads and fiery club bangers, providing a sharp focus on who Beyonc is right now: as a performer, as a woman, and as a creative force to be reckoned with. The vibe is more mature, more playful, more deeply passionate and sexually aggressive. Dangerously In Love is the sound of a grown woman clearly staking her claim in the world and, in the process, redefining expectations of who she is.
A 21-year-old Houston native, Beyonc Knowles is a founding member and chief songwriter of Destiny's Child, one of the biggest selling female acts of all time. With many of the group's hit songs co-written and co-produced by Beyonc, Destiny's Child has sold more than 33 million records worldwide. When Beyonc won the 2001 ASCAP Pop Songwriter Of The Year Award, she became the first African-American woman -- and the second woman ever -- to receive that honor.
Led by founding members Beyonc Knowles and Kelly Rowland, Destiny's Child burst on the scene in 1997 with their multi-platinum single, "No, No, No," from their self-titled album. That success was dwarfed when Destiny's Child's The Writing's On The Wall was released in 1999. The album would go on to sell more than 10 million copies worldwide, driven in part by three Top 10 hits: "Jumpin, Jumpin," "Say My Name" and "Bills, Bills, Bills," which spent 9 weeks at #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart.
A year after Michelle Williams joined Destiny's Child in 2000, the group recorded Survivor, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Survivor was certified double platinum four weeks after its release and has gone on to sell more than nine million copies worldwide. In 2001 Destiny's Child took home two Grammy awards: Best R&B song ("Say My Name") and Best R&B performance by a Duo or Group ("Say My Name"). Destiny's Child has won numerous other awards, among them Billboard Artist of the year, NAACP Image Awards, American Music Awards, Nickelodeon Kid's Choice and The Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year at the Soul Train Awards. The group has toured worldwide and performed at many high profile events including The Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Concert Special and the Concert For New York City.
Given the fact that the general public is so familiar with chart-topping songs such as "Say My Name," "Independent Woman, Part I" and "Survivor," it's fair to enquire how Dangerously In Love differs from a Destiny's Child project. "Naturally the songs on my album are going to share some similarities," Beyonc admits. "But this time because I only had to write for myself, my songs are much more personal. I also wanted beats that were harder and to be able to collaborate with other people. Basically this record was a chance for me to grow as a writer and a singer. There are more ballads. The vocals aren't as precisely produced and because it's just me, there aren't as many harmonies. The experience was very liberating and therapeutic. I felt free, because I could go into the studio and talk about whatever I wanted, but in many ways it was actually harder to be on my own creatively. I depend so much on Destiny's Child (Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams) to tell me if they like something or not. I'm so critical of myself that it's scary to have to depend on your own instincts."
Helping Beyonc trust those instincts are an impressive array of musical collaborators, among them Missy Elliot, Jay-Z, Sean Paul, Mark Batson, Mario Winans, D-Roy & Mr. B, OutKast's Big Boi, Rich Harrison, Fanatic, Scott Storch, and the legendary Luther Vandross on "The Closer I Get To You." Beyonc shares co-executive producer credits on Dangerously In Love with her father and manager Mathew Knowles. She took an active role in all aspects of the album: from writing and choosing material to producing, mastering and mixing the tracks. Beyonc pays tribute to her father on the hidden bonus track, "Daddy," which was produced by Beyonc and Mark Batson.
The sexy first single, "Crazy In Love," featuring Jay-Z, was co-produced by Beyonc and Rich Harrison. Jay-Z returns the favor for Beyonc's part on his hit "Bonnie & Clyde 03." With a beat that Beyonc says is "so hard it makes your heart hurt!," "Crazy In Love" is about that moment when you realize you're falling into love and looking crazy but you simply don't care. The abandon continues on "Speechless," produced by Fanatic. "As soon as I heard the track it inspired me," she admits. "It's very sexy, very sensual. The sort of ballad that I've never done before. This song is definitely a population increaser!"
Laced with an Arabic ambience, fused with a ghetto-fied edge and encompassing a sample from Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby," "Naughty Girl" is uptempo and party perfect: a sexy fantasy about having that one night where you lose all your inhibitions, head to the club and work it like a naughty girl. "Many of the songs on the album examine aspects of relationships, and this is one element."
Also sexy is the dancehall-Arabic flavored "Baby Boy," featuring the red hot Sean Paul. "I knew Sean had to be on my album because I love his approach," she says. "'Baby Boy' is another song about a fantasy and it's one of my favorites."
Such unabashed and upfront emotions might come as a surprise to long time fans but make no mistake, Dangerously In Love isn't a rejection of DC's sound. "I love Destiny's Child and I am a member of the group," she asserts. "We haven't broken up. We're going to continue to tour and record and be a group. We've recorded a song, 'I Know,' for "The Fighting Temptations" soundtrack. We all decided a long time back to explore solo projects and I'm the third member of the group to release my own record. Things like working apart keep the fire going and keep the fans eager for you. I'm not trying to get away from DC or the legacy we have. I just wanted to show a different approach and the growth I've experienced. "
That growth is evident in Beyonc's burgeoning acting career. In 2001 she starred in MTV's "Carmen." In 2002 she appeared as Foxy Cleopatra in "Austin Powers in Goldmember." This year she will co-star with Cuba Gooding Jr. in "The Fighting Temptations." She has two more features currently in production and can also be seen on the small screen in a series of Spike Lee-directed commercials for Pepsi-Cola. She is also the spokesperson for L'Oreal.
Kelly
As one third of Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling female musical groups of all time, Kelly Rowland has brought the sound of her voice to millions of fans. She's graced videos, been featured in magazines and performed on television and concert stages worldwide. She's experienced #1 hits, multi-platinum albums, industry accolades, won Grammys and other awards, and felt the love of press and fans. And now, she's ready to show the world another side of Kelly Rowland with the release of Simply Deep, her debut solo album, on Music World Music/Columbia Records.
Featuring songs written by Steve Kipner, Billy Mann, Solange Knowles, and Kelly Rowland and guest appearances from Nelly and Joe Budden; produced by Rich Harrison (Amerie) Robert Smith, Damon Elliott, and Rob Fusari; executive-produced by Matthew Knowles of Music World Music, Simply Deep is an exhilarating glimpse into Kelly's heart and soul. Which was exactly her desire. "I wanted people to be able to see me as me, not just as that girl from Destiny's Child," Kelly says. "I wanted them to see someone who has gone through a lot of real life experiences and is so happy and so blessed. I wanted people to really see a side of me that they may not know." To reach that goal Kelly decided to go for her solo sound in a remarkably fresh and unexpected way. Simply Deep contains stinging electric guitars and gentle acoustic six-strings, atmospheric synths and turntable scratches.
Her thoughtful lyrics tackle everything from God to love towhatever lies in between while her musical joints will make you nod your head to the groove. There's rock 'n' roll, a confessional singer/song writer vibe, sultry R&B and an edgy undercurrent. Simply put, Simply Deep is not what you might expect from a member of Destiny's Child. Which was,according to Kelly, the point: "We wanted our solo albums (each member of DC is working on individual projects) to be different from Destiny's Child so that people wouldn't compare them to the group's work. The albums are an opportunity for people to get to know our personalities. In my case, I'm sure that most of my fans didn't realize how much I have always loved rock. In fact when I first went into the studio and told the producers I wanted a mixture of Sade with really edgy rock, they looked at me like I was crazy! And honestly, about halfway through the recording process even I was wondering if you could mix off those influences together. But it all worked out wonderfully." Proof of which can be heard on the single "Stole." Written and produced by Dane Deviller, Sean Hosein and Steve Kipner, "Stole" sets the tone for Simply Deep by being emotional, evocative, soulful and a typical in its subject matter and sound. A cautionary tale about life and its consequences, "Stole" affected Kelly the first time she heard it ."I loved the lyrics and the melody," she says. "It's such a passionate song."
Equally passionate is "Heaven," co-written and produced by Alonzo Jackson, who also plays drums, bass and guitar on the track. The sexy ballad, one of several co-written by Kelly, draws its inspiration from real life. "I'd never been in love and then I met someone and he made me feel like heaven," she confesses. "This song is an expression of those feelings." Love is also in the air on "Dilemma," a duet with superstar rapper Nelly. The infectious track, which burned up the radio this summer and stayed at #1 for nearly two months, takes Patti LaBelle's hit "Love, Need and Want You," to a funky new level, because as Kelly laughs knowingly, "we put our own stink on it." During the video shoot, Kelly met Patti LaBelle and was thrilled when the legendary diva praised Kelly's rendition of her hit. "I started crying," Kelly admits, "because there's nothing like hearing that the artist who originally did the song likes your version." The album's title track, "Simply Deep," was written for Kelly by Solange Knowles, the younger sister of Kelly's Destiny's Child co-star, Beyonc. Solange is featured as a singer on the track and arranged the vocals. "The song is amazing!," Kelly exclaims. "Solange is so talented and she's so professional in the studio and the sessions were so much fun and so calm. Honestly, I thought it would be weird to work with her--because she's like my little sister--but it was magic." Recording her album gave Kelly a chance to shine on her own as a vocalist while exploring other facets of her talent.
In addition to arranging the vocals on several tracks, Kelly co-wrote three songs--"(Love Lives In) Strange Places," "Heaven," and "Make U Wanna Stay"--for the album. "I love that Beyonc writes," Kelly says, "and it's something I've always wanted to try. When Destiny's Child would be in the studio, I'd ask her questions.She really encouraged me and told me I could do it. I was nervous but when I was working on my album I collaborated with the other writers and they really gave me the courage and tools to put my thought on paper."
Yet another creative outlet for Kelly is acting. She made an appearance on the sit- com "The Hughleys" and will soon make her big screen debut as "Lori" in the horror film "Freddy vs. Jason." "Acting is great!," Kelly enthuses. "It's wonderful to have this opportunity. It's a dream cometrue." Kelly has been working to pursue her dreams since she was a little girl in Atlanta, Georgia. By the age of 4, inspired by her love of Whitney Houston, Kelly was already telling her mother that she wanted to sing. "I used to drive my mommy up the wall trying to listen out for Whitney!" Kelly laughs. "I remember getting her first album it as the first record I ever owned. I played it every day." Kelly began singing in church though she was so young she had to stand on a chair to reach the mike. The experience of performing changed her life forever. "When I was singing I was in my own world, and everyone was looking at me," she remembers. "I was so happy and I thought "Oh, I like this." Kelly's love for music blossomed after her family relocated to Houston where she became friends with Beyonc Knowles. The two gifted teens started singing together in and, in the mid 1990s, formed Destiny's Child. The group released its first smash single, "No, No, No" in November 1997 with the first platinum album, Destiny's Child, following in February 1998. Destiny's Child's follow-up effort, 1999's The Writing's On the Wall was certified 8x RIAA platinum in the United States and went on to sell more than 10 million copies worldwide. The success of that album was matched when Destiny's Child dropped the multi-platinum worldwide smash Survivor in 2001.
Ask Kelly if she's pleased with her new album and she beams. "I rememberhow happy I was when we finished The Writing's On The Wall and Survivor because each song was so great. I wanted to recapture that feeling when I made my own record and when I sat back and listened to the finished album,I felt so blessed thought, 'Gosh, God is good' because I was allowed to see my vision through and it all worked out so well. Yes, I'm very happy. "Simply Deep is about the full range of life and love in all its pain and joy and happiness. In it, Kelly Rowland communicates the depth and passion of her experience, sharing it all with her fans.
Michelle
There's much to be respected about those "trial by fire" personalities who seize opportunities placed in front of them by the Creator without buckling under the pressure, those who steadfastly hold on to a focused vision and ultimately allow faith to guide them.
Vocalist/songwriter/performer Michelle Williams is one of those people. With a steely determination and willingness to learn, she joined Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling female groups of all time, during a frantic period of breakthrough mainstream success and worldwide touring. That same fearless, faith-driven quality came in handy while jump-starting a solo career as an inspirational/gospel recording artist with her 2002 release, Heart To Yours, much in the same way her tireless work ethic motivated her to conquer a starring role on the Broadway stage.
Michelle Williams now utilizes those very same attributes--propelled by her angelic, songbird-like vocals--to enter the next phase of her solo music-making with her sophomore release, Do You Know.
Indeed, since joining the multi-platinum-selling group, the truly blessed Michelle has shared in a staggering level of success and exposure. She has been part of smash hit singles that set radio airplay records. She's traveled the world over on sold-out headlining tours, won countless awards including multiple Grammys, and performed for everyone from the President of the USA to the King of Pop, not to mention millions of fans. That momentum continued for Michelle after the release of Heart To Yours, a #1 album on the gospel chart, when she landed a stint co-hosting the Stellar Awards, recorded a duet ("Steal Away To Jesus") with gospel legend Shirley Caesar and embarked on a national tour with Luther Vandross and Angie Stone.
Then, while fellow group members Beyonc Knowles and Kelly Rowland enjoyed their own forays into successful music and film ventures, Michelle again followed God's vision for her, challenging herself to cross the boundaries of the contemporary music industry into the starring role in Elton John and Tim Rice's hit Broadway musical, "Aida." In preparation for the role of the love-crossed Nubian princess, Michelle temporarily exited the somewhat pampered existence of a pop music star for the musical theater grind of intense rehearsals, vocal coaching and a schedule of nightly performances. "You know, I only had four weeks to learn everything," Michelle says. "I had so much to digest. If they weren't teaching me one thing, they were teaching me something else. It's been truly awesome. I never dreamed of this, coming this far with a Broadway show under my belt, especially a major one. 'Aida' is a major show."
It is with that same positive outlook and unwavering vision that Michelle conquered the role, a process she readily likens to the daring move to join current R&B/pop's most popular girl group. "It was similar to what I had to go through when I joined Destiny's Child," acknowledges Michelle. "That's why I didn't give up. When I get in a situation like that, I think of where I am and where God has brought me. I figure that if I stick with this situation, I could only go higher. Now that I've done 'Aida,' it's like I should be able to do anything."
Obviously re-invigorated and matured by the experience, Michelle excitedly delivers Do You Know, a melodious excursion through inspirational and contemporary urban-gospel styles, set to everyday life-based testimonials that run the gamut from self-doubt and questions of faith to bad relationships. Produced by Tommy Sims (CeCe Winans, Eric Clapton, Kelly Clarkson), Anson & Eric Dawkins (Tyrese, Ruben Studdard), Erron Williams, Cedric & Victor Caldwell, PAJAM (Paul Allen & J. Moss), Solange Knowles, and Beyonc Knowles with Soul Diggaz, Do You Know features songs, five of which she either wrote or co-wrote, Michelle feels are close to her own life and experiences. "For this album--after going through so much in 2003--it was a perfect time to do another record, because I was able to write about how I was feeling," she explains. "There were also producers who already had songs written, and I felt like they were written about my life. God placed these producers in my life for this record. There isn't one song on this record that I can't identify with."
From the brassy, uplifting rhythm of "Purpose In Your Storm" (the set's opener) to the acoustic-textured R&B/gospel groove balladry of "I Know" (recorded with Destiny's Child members Beyonc Knowles and Kelly Rowland), listeners will quickly notice that the overall serene, mellowed feel of Heart To Yours has been replaced by a generally brighter, uptempo vibe. Michelle reveals that the difference has much to do with corresponding with her listening audience, as well as feeling liberated from the perceived confines of a particular genre.
"Some of my fans from the last record were saying that there weren't a lot of uptempo type of happy, feel-good songs," says Michelle. "With Heart To Yours, it was like I didn't want it to be so gospel because I was fearful of coming into gospel, coming out of R&B. I know that the gospel crowd is very protective of that genre of music. With any kind of music, they have to accept you. So, I felt like I wouldn't be accepted. I thought, 'Maybe I won't do gospel, but I'll do something similar.' But it worked out. After the first song I did with Shirley Caesar for her record, she changed people's minds. She said, 'You know what? I love Michelle, so you all have to love her--and that's the bottom line.' And people like Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin were saying the same thing. So, I'm like, 'Well, I've got some of the major gospel acts in my corner.' So, I'm okay with everything."
Hence, Do You Know is comprised of contemporary-minded inspirational selections that range from groove-laced uptempos and lush midtempos to stunningly beautiful ballads. Sure to win the favor of her Destiny's Child fan base are "My Only Love Is You," with its the sultry 'n' smooth R&B/dance feel; "Never Be The Same," with its chilled, urban-styled bounce; the melodic, head-noddin' groove of "The Incident;" and "Didn't Know," a catchy, light-bumpin' song Michelle was inspired to write after a day out boating in Texas with her manager, Music World Music label head Mathew Knowles and Tina Knowles (Destiny's Child stylist).
"It was beautiful out on that boat with Mathew and Tina," recalls Michelle. "I said to myself, 'This is how life is supposed to be. I'm not supposed to be around people that don't mean me any good, who make me depressed and stressed out.' That next morning, I just wrote about what I was going through. I was smiling, I felt God's love and I didn't have people around me to bring me down. The song basically says that, 'I didn't know that I would be so happy. I didn't know I would feel so free. I didn't know your love would change me. I live in total victory.'"
Michelle's sophomore solo set also features her soulful voice stretching out amidst moving ballads like the poignant, dramatic "15 Minutes"; a tranquil, heavenly "Rescue My Heart"; the tenderly harmonious "The Way Of Love"; and the climactic, emotion-charged title track. "One day, I was at my house washing dishes and that song just came into my head," Michelle recalls of the truly inspired "Do You Know." "It was like God was talking to me," she confesses. "Basically, God was asking me, 'Girl, do you know who I am? Do you know that I will heal your heart?' I had just gone through a break-up that had just torn me up. But I'm glad it happened, because I was able to write about it. And the song turned out to be healing for me. So, I took it to my brother (producer, Erron Williams), he did his thing on the music and that's how 'Do You Know' was born."
Ultimately, through life's examples and the musical messages throughout Do You Know, Michelle Williams has hopes of inspiring and encouraging with the gospel, which she'll be the first to point out as simply meaning "good news."
For her, more than the material success, it's about communicating a relevant message to today's generation. "I just really want to reach out to the young people and let them know who God is," she relays, "and how God can be there for you--and you can still be cool. You can be cool and Christian. You can be cool and saved. You can be cool and still express your love for Christ to the world and it's okay."
Michelle Williams is signed to Music World Gospel alongside labelmates Ramiyah. |
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