Destiny's Child

Amongst the most commercially successful female groups in the music industry, Destiny's Child has been cranking out multi-platinum crossover R&B for many years. Founded in Houston, Texas in 1990, they were originally put together by Mathew Knowles (Beyonce's dad) when the members were still in their preteens. They paid dues performing on Star Search (rapping, not singing) in the early nineties and eventually went on the road, touring as an opening act for Dru Hill and SWV among others. Their first official release came about in 1997, with the song "Killing Time" off the soundtrack for Will Smith's summer blockbuster Men In Black. The group released their self-titled debut album the following year, scoring a huge hit with "No, No, No," produced by Wyclef. In 1998 they returned with The Writing On The Wall, which featured two more smash singles, "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name." Though they were now bona fide chart-topping superstars, internal strife and financial grievances led to the departure of LaTavia Robertson and LeToya Luckett, who were replaced by LaTavia Robertson and Farrah Franklin. Bad press and a lawsuit ensued, but when the smoke cleared, the album had sold over eight million copies. In the summer of 2000, Franklin left the group, and later that year they released their first single as a trio, finding another hit with "Independent Woman, Pt. 1" (the theme song to Charlie's Angels). Soon after, Destiny's Child dropped their third LP Survivor, which debuted at number one and featured two more hugely popular singles, "Bootylicious" and the title track. A Christmas collection and remix album followed, after which all three members released solo albums. Beyonce, who had long been the star of the group, became bigger than ever thanks to her wildly successful LP Dangerously In Love as well as a starring role in Goldmember, six-figure endorsement deals, and high-profile relationship with Jay-Z. Though rumors swirled that their life as a group had come to a close, the ladies reunited for Destiny Fulfilled, which was released in late 2004. After a highly successful tour, the group announced their permanent break-up to pursue solo projects in 2005, performing their last official show together in Vancouver, Canada, and releasing a greatest hits album that same year. A few pseudo-reunions followed, most of them involving Beyonce's solo career, but for now, the trio seems to be set on remaining just friends. Regardless, Destiny's Child will forever be revered and remembered as a group that overcame numerous obstacles to reshape the sound of pop music, in the process becoming the most popular girl group since TLC.