Chicago Public Library-Blog: Top Picks: In Celebration Of Beyoncé's Destiny

Chicago IL

27 August, 2021

2:37 PM

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Press release from the Chicago Public Library-blog: Tamela August 27, 2021 The 1990s is arguably defined as thee decade that gave rise to generation defining music genres, individuals and groups. However, the 90s was also cluttered with an over abundance of boy bands and girl groups clamoring for chart spots and the allowances or hard-earned (and scant) teen/college kid dollars. As a cynical gen Xer with many cassette and CD singles by several one-hit wonder groups, I regarded Destiny's Child's arrival on the music scene with contradictory, aloof interest. Everywhere I went, someone was playing or debating which version of No, No, No was better - Part I or Part II. No matter which version was preferred, many (if not all) agreed that the girl named Beyoncé was the best in the group and their self-titled album was going to be a big deal. Yet in my mind, it was still a quartet, and if the rise and dissolution of girl groups has taught me anything, it's that girl quartets don't make it. And, just like my detached interest, I was paradoxically right and wrong. Indeed, the group broke up after several multiplatinum albums, award nominations, and their Destiny Fulfilled with American Music and Billboard wins for Favorite Soul/R&B group, Favorite Soul R&B Album, Artist Achievement Award, and Best R&B/Hip Hop Group respectively. These wins, buoyed by Beyoncé's songwriting and vocals, prophesied the music, cinematic and fashion icon she is and will continue to be.   In celebration of the 40th birthday of Queen Bey, here are 10 top picks that lend credence to the unrelenting adoration of the Beyhive:  Destiny Fulfilled, the fifth (and final) album from the last iteration of the group as a trio, features the Grammy Award nominated single Lose My Breath.  Destiny Fulfilled Destiny Fulfilled Destiny's Child (Musical group)Destiny's Child (Musical group) Music CD, 2́004.Available View detailsView details for Destiny Fulfilled, Music CD, Available Beyoncé stars as Carmen in this remake of the classic opera about jealousy, betrayal and tragedy.  Carmen Carmen a Hip Hopera DVD, 2001Available View detailsView details for Carmen, DVD, Available Dangerously in Love, the first of many platinum, chart-topping albums, features the perennial karaoke favorite/chart toping single Crazy in Love (with husband and mogul  Jay-Z).  Dangerously in Love Dangerously in Love Beyoncé, 1981-Beyoncé, 1981- Music CD, 2003All copies in useView detailsView details for Dangerously in Love, Music CD, All copies in useHolds: 0 on 11 copies Beyoncé stars as Deena, the lead singer of the Dreams, in the movie Dreamgirls, based on the critically acclaimed 1980s Broadway play.  Dreamgirls Dreamgirls DVD, 2007All copies in useView detailsView details for Dreamgirls, DVD, All copies in useHolds: 1 on 1 copy The second album from Queen Bey, B'day features multiple chart topping domestic singles (Irreplaceable, De Ja Vu ), an international best seller (Beautiful Liar, featuring Shakira) and an often emulated dance favorite, Get Me Bodied.    B'day B'day Beyoncé, 1981-Beyoncé, 1981- Music CD, 2006Available View detailsView details for B'day, Music CD, Available Loosely based on Chicago's Chess Records, Cadillac Records is the story of Lenard Chess, credited with introducing the world to blues legends Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Chuck Berry and Etta James. Beyoncé 's iconic turn as singer Etta James earned the film a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B vocal award for her rendition of "At Last" (and an invitation to perform it at inaugural ball of President Barack Obama).  Cadillac Records Cadillac Records DVD, 2009All copies in useView detailsView details for Cadillac Records, DVD, All copies in useHolds: 0 on 37 copies Beyoncé's alter ego is presented on this Grammy award winning double disc CD, I Am-- Sasha Fierce, which includes the often parodied Single Ladies, Diva and If I Were a Boy.  I Am-- Sasha Fierce I Am-- Sasha Fierce Piano, Vocal, GuitarBeyoncé, 1981-Beyoncé, 1981- Music CD, 2010Available View detailsView details for I Am-- Sasha Fierce, Music CD, Available The fourth studio album, simply titled 4, includes the girl empowerment anthem Run the World (Girls). 4 4 Beyoncé, 1981-Beyoncé, 1981- Music CD, 2012All copies in useView detailsView details for 4, Music CD, All copies in useHolds: 0 on 2 copies This documentary centered on the life of Beyoncé includes her performances from Live in Atlantic City.  Beyoncé Beyoncé Life Is but a Dream DVD, 2013Available View detailsView details for Beyoncé, DVD, Available Widely regarded as Black Feminist art and spawning various reading lists and "think pieces," Lemonade (the 6th album and accompanying film) is often praised and analyzed for its lyrical content and stunning imagery.  Lemonade Lemonade Beyoncé, 1981-Beyoncé, 1981- Music CD, 2016Available View detailsView details for Lemonade, Music CD, Available Cheers to a career that has lasted more than half of her lifetime and to the diva who has "since 15 in stilettos been struttin' in this game."  Happy 40th, Queen Bey!  Which Queen Bey album or movie made you a fan? This press release was produced by the Chicago Public Library-blog. The views expressed here are the author's own.