Beyoncé Knowles

Beyoncé Knowles, who got her start in R&B girl-group Destiny’s Child, is one of the best-selling music artists of all time and the most nominated woman in the history of the Grammy Awards.

After a highly successful and record-breaking stint as the lead singer of Destiny’s Child, Knowles started her solo career with her 2003 debut album, Dangerously in Love, which topped the Billboard 200 chart. She followed with 2006’s B’Day, which became her second consecutive number one album. Her third and fourth albums, 2008’s I Am… Sasha Fierce and 2011’s 4 both hit number one, as well.

In December 2013, Knowles released her fifth album, Beyoncé, on iTunes without prior promotion or announcement. The visual album was critically acclaimed and made her the first woman in Billboard 200’s history to have her first five albums debut at number one.

In April 2016, two months after releasing hit single and video “Formation,” Knowles released her latest album, Lemonade. It was her most critically acclaimed album to date with a five-star rating from Rolling Stone. It also debuted number one on the Billboard 200 chart and earned her eight wins at the MTV Video Music Awards, making her the most awarded artist in VMA history.

Knowles considers herself a feminist and has incorporated those views into her music. She has also made public artistic statements against police brutality and racial injustice.

In 2008, the singer tied the knot with long-time love Jay Z. They welcomed daughter Blue Ivy Carter in January 2012.