Knowles, Beyoncé (1981–)

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Knowles, Beyoncé (1981–)

African-American singer and actress. Name variations: Beyonce or Beyoncé; Destiny's Child. Born Beyoncé Giselle Knowles, Sept 4, 1981, in Houston, TX; dau. of Matthew Knowles (music manager) and Tina Knowles (stylist); sister of Solange Knowles (singer).

As lead singer of Destiny's Child (formed 1989), had hit singles "No, No, No," "The Writing's on the Wall," "Bills, Bills, Bills," "Say My Name," "Jumpin', Jumpin'," and "Independent Women, Part 1" (from film Charlie's Angels soundtrack); was the 1st African-American woman to win the ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year award (2001); appeared in films Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), and Dreamgirls (2006), among others.

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