Michael A. Schuman - Beyoncé: A Biography of a Legendary Singer

Beyonc!

Perform the national anthem at President Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony. Wow the crowd with a spectacular Super Bowl halftime show. Win a Grammy. When you are legendary singer and performer Beyonc Knowles, this is just a regular month's work. Beyonc went from a child singer in her hometown of Houston, Texas, to one of the most recognizable faces on the planet. She has sold millions of records, made many hit movies, and runs a clothing line. This superstar does it all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Michael A. Schuman's work has been published in magazines and newspapers throughout the United States. His other work for Enslow Publishers, Inc., includes Barack Obama: "We Are One People."

Even as a child in elementary school, Beyonc Knowles dreamed of being a world-famous singer. She wanted so much to be able to belt out a song like Whitney Houston or command a stage like Michael Jackson. She was determined not to let anything stand in her way. In fact, she had her first taste of entertaining an audience when, as a child, she entered a talent show in her hometown of Houston, Texas. At an age when children are losing their baby teeth, Beyonc was already thinking like a grown-up.

And she has succeeded beyond anyones imagination. By 2011, she had recorded too many best-selling albums and single songs to mention in one breath. She had also acted in movies and is well known for donating her money and time to help needy people. She had received many Grammy and MTV awards for solo performances, albums, or songs. But in May 2011, she was about to receive what many would consider her greatest honor.

Billboard magazine is the most respected publication for those who work in the music business. Billboard awards musicians and singers annually for their accomplishments the previous year. Beyonc was about to receive an award that Billboard had created just a year earlier. It did not honor a performer for a single song or album. It is the Millennium Award, given only to those whose entire careers are amazing. From 2003 through 2011, she had sold as a solo artist roughly 11 million albums and 25 million singles. And she had done this all before her thirtieth birthday.

More than fifteen thousand people were in attendance at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. They watched as several awards were given that night. There were live performances from some of the hottest names in music, including Rihanna, the Black Eyed Peas, Keith Urban, Cee Lo Green, and Nicki Minaj. And, of course, Beyonc, who awed the audience with a rousing rendition of her newest song, Run the World (Girls). Most touching, however, were the tributes she received as she accepted the Millennium Award. Since not all the people paying tribute to Beyonc could be there in person, many were videotaped earlier, and their comments were played back to Beyonc and the audience in the sold-out arena.

Music superstars, including Lady Gaga and Bono, offered admiring words. Barbra Streisand, one of the worlds most famous and respected singers, and more than twice Beyoncs age, said, Great performers have a sound and style that is all their own, and thats why so many people love Beyonc. And so do I. Stevie Wonder praised her by saying, Beyonc has made history and she is not even 30 yet. He also admired her dignity by acknowledging, Shes able to go to many places but still keep that class. I like that. Rhythm-and-blues kingpin Kenneth Babyface Edmonds remarked, She inspired me to want to be more of an artist.

However, the biggest celebrity to offer praise on videotape was the First Lady of the United States. Michelle Obama took time from her hectic schedule to tell the audience, Im very proud of her, very proud of the woman she is and the role model she provides to so many women. And I truly congratulate her on her success.

After receiving the award, Beyonc told the crowd, I would like to start off by thanking my foundation, which is my family. Mom, you have taught me everything I know by example. Id like to thank my father for teaching me so much about the music industry and teaching me about drive, and teaching me about work ethic.

She also thanked her husband, recording artist Jay-Z. Beyonc referred to him as my best friend.

After taking in the honor and all the praise, Beyonc gushed to the audience, I thank all the legends who said all those beautiful things to me. I grew up loving and admiring the people who were on that tape. This is a moment I have to soak in because it is one of the best memories of my life.

It was a long journey from Beyoncs first talent show appearance in Houston to the glamorous MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. But she made it, as she had always dreamed she would.

Beyonc Giselle Knowles was born in Houston, Texas, on September 4, 1981. Her father, Mathew, was a salesman for Xerox, a huge company that makes business supplies and computer components. Her mother, Tina, owned a hair salon.

Mathew is African American and Tina is mixed race. She is part Creole, a descendent of the colonial French settlers in Louisiana. She is also part African American, American Indian, and Jewish. Beyoncs unusual first name is a variation of her mothers maiden name. Before she married, Tinas name was Tina Beyinc. When Tina realized the Beyinc family was running out of male children, she wanted to preserve the family name. So she changed her last name slightly and gave it to her daughter as a first name.

Not all of her family was pleased. Tinas father said that other kids would pick on her because she has a last name for a first name. But Tina didnt think so.

Since Mathew and Tina were both very successful, the Knowles family lived in a six-bedroom house in a wealthy part of Houston called the Third Ward. Almost five years later, in 1986, her parents had another child. It was a girl they named Solange. Beyonc grew up listening to the music her parents loved. This included African-American artists, such as Marvin Gaye, Barry White, Luther Vandross, and Michael Jackson.

From the beginning, Beyonc loved music. She recalled her love of music in Soul Survivors, a book published in 2002. It is an autobiography of Beyoncs first hit group, Destinys Child. Beyonc wrote: My dad tells me that as a baby, I would go crazy whenever I heard music, and I tried to dance before I could even walk. He has the embarrassing videos to prove it!

Beyonc began her education at St. Marys Elementary School in Houston. She was a quiet girl. She would rather stare at the floor than raise her hand to answer a question asked by the teacher. She was usually on her best behavior. If a student tried talking to her in class, she whispered to him or her to stop it. She did not want to get in trouble.

But she loved math and compared it to figuring out riddles. She felt good when she could help a student who had trouble with math. Still, her shyness took over when she was called to the chalkboard to write an answer to a problem in front of the class. She always got nervous.

One day when she came home from first grade, Beyonc sat down at the kitchen table. Her mother was washing dishes. She asked Beyonc what she had learned that day in school. Beyonc answered that she learned a song. Her mother turned around and said she wanted to hear it. Beyonc said in Soul Survivors, I stood up to sing it for her just like my teacher had taught me. Ill never forget that feeling. I loved performing for my momit was a rush.

Beyonc may have been shy at school, but she loved to sing and dance at home. Her parents noticed her energy and signed her up for dance class at school. Beyoncs teacher, Sister Darlette Johnson, told her at age seven that she could sing as well as dance. She talked Beyonc into performing in a local talent competition. Sister Darlette suggested that Beyonc sing John Lennons classic song Imagine. It is a ballad about imagining the world as a place of peace, unity, and love. Beyonc was the youngest of the performers. She remembers she was terrified. But Sister Darlette prodded and encouraged her. Beyonc remembered, I was terrified and I didnt wanna do it, and shes like, Cmon, baby, get out there. I remember walking out and I was scared, but when the music started, I dont know what happened. I just... changed.