From the moment that I performed "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" at my preschool talent show, I've been hooked on Beyoncé. The iconic hit not only had a major impact on the music industry, but also solidified my admiration for the singer. As Beyoncé has continued to be a global superstar throughout the years, my connection to her music and message has only grown stronger. Between her powerful narration, legendary performances, astounding vocals, and dedication to her craft, Beyoncé's influence on music history and culture has been vast.
Me performing "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" at age three.
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is a cultural icon whose impact has spanned across music, fashion, and activism. Born on September 4th, 1981 in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé has been performing since she was a young child. In 1990, she joined three other girls in a singing group called "Girl's Tyme," which eventually turned into the wildly successful group "Destiny's Child," comprised of Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. In 2003, she released her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love. Beyoncé won five Grammy Awards for the album, further establishing her profound influence on R&B and Pop (Britannica).
As of 2025, in total, Beyoncé has released eight studio albums:
Dangerously in Love (2003)
B'Day (2006)
I AM...SASHA FIERCE (2008)
4 (2011)
BEYONCÉ (2013)
Lemonade (2016)
Renaissance (2022)
Cowboy Carter (2024)
Throughout the years, Beyoncé has redefined the music industry with her talent and creativity. With her self-titled album, she abandoned industry norms by surprise dropping the album on a Friday, a move that changed the standard music release day from Tuesday to Friday. She also popularized the idea of having a "visual album" with a video to accompany each song. She has transcended genres, most recently with her country album Cowboy Carter. The album recently won a Grammy for Best Country Album of the Year, as well as Album of the Year. These Grammys, along with others throughout the years, have brought her total number of Grammys to 35, making her the most awarded artist in Grammy history (TIME).
One of Beyoncé's biggest solo hits is her debut album song, "Crazy in Love," featuring her future husband, Jay-Z. The song features booming brass instruments and a catchy hook that comes together to create a high-energy song that is still played in clubs over 20 years later.
The "Crazy in Love" music video.
Beyoncé's sixth studio album, Lemonade, explores themes of love, betrayal, empowerment, race, and forgiveness. She created the album as a form of self-therapy and storytelling after being cheated on by her husband, Jay-Z. The album is also a visual album, with one of the most popular songs from the album being "Formation," which acts as an anthem of black pride and resilience. Beyoncé shocked the world when Lemonade was exclusively streaming on Tidal, a music streaming service. The album was available on all streaming services three years later, which is as long as it takes for a lemon tree to grow and start producing fruit.
The "Formation" music video.
Beyoncé's live performances are also an incredible feat of talent. Her Renaissance World Tour became the highest grossing tour by a female artist of all time, celebrating dance and black queer culture. When I attended her show in Nashville, Tennessee, I was astounded by how incredible she sounded live. If anything, her voice sounded better in person than it did on the album. The choreography and costume were both also iconic in and of themselves, encouraging multiple trends across social media and fashion (TODAY).
Beyoncé performing "Formation/Diva" in New Orleans.
Me at the RWT.
Beyoncé also had an iconic Coachella set, dubbed officially as Beychella. She brought HBCU culture to the stage through her costume, choreography, and band. From the Beychella performance, she released a documentary called Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé. The film shows the entire performance, as well as the behind the scenes of it all coming together.
Beyoncé performing a dance break to "Everybody Mad" by O.T. Genasis at Coachella.
My personal favorite song by Beyoncé is "I Care" from her album, 4. I gained a newfound love for the song when I saw her perform it live at the Renaissance World Tour. Her raw vocals were so powerful, and she made singing the difficult song seem so effortless. She constantly gives new life to older music by adding new riffs and utilizing her more mature voice.
Beyoncé performing "I Care" at the RWT.
Beyoncé's artistry has not only played a pivotal role in music and culture, but has also had a sizable impact on my personal life. From her days with Destiny's Child to her revolutionary solo career, Beyoncé has consistently pushed the boundaries of storytelling. She continues to shape the industry by experimenting with various genres, and is one of the biggest celebrities in the world, even 30 years into her career. She continues to break records and upstage herself every time she creates something new, proving that her legacy is far from finished.
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