CWW: Beyonce

Beyonce Knowles

Beyonce Knowles was born on September 4, 1981, in Houston Texas. The name "Beyonce" is actually her mothers maiden name. She is a singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. Beyonce rose to fame as the lead singer of Destiny's Child, who was signed by Columbia Records in the late 1990's. This all girl R&B group consisted of Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. Beyonce is well known in pop culture, and was ranked first on Forbes list of the "100 Most Powerful and Influential Musicians in the World", and second on its list of the "100 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in the World."

The female group, Destiny's Child, was extremely successful, and had many number-one singles. These singles consisted of "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Say My Name", "Independent Women", "Survivor", and "Bootylicious". However, as this female group took a hiatus, Beyonce released her first solo album, and five time Grammy award album, Dangerously in Love. It contained the hits "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy". Each of the she produced afterwards, B'Day (2006), I am Sasha Fierce (2008), and 4 (2001), all contained record breaking hits.

Apart from Knowles singing career, she has also acted. She has been apart of the films Austin Powers Goldmember (2002), The Fighting Temptaions (2003), and Dreamgirls (2006). Two of her films lead her to Golden Globe Nominations: Cadillac Records (2008), and Obsessed (2009). She has also made numerous fragrances (Heat, Heat Rush, Midnight Heat, Pulse, and Pulse-Summer Edition). Along with her mother, Tina, they franchised the clothing brand House of Dereon. 


Relating to the Texts:

When relating Beyonce's work to the topics and pieces of literature we have discussed in class, one of the topics that comes to mind are how extreme the stereotypes are against women. Throughout history, women have fought for their right to have a voice. In Beyonce's song If I Were A Boy,  she illustrates how difficult it is for women to not feel  stereotype of our gender in any sort of relationship.

Within the video, she portrays the role between a man a women if the roles were reversed. She emphasizes how "if she were a boy" she would act differently and have a better understanding of the dilemmas within the relationship. Within the video she states how she "would listen to her because she knows how it hurts." There is such a gender bias in the world today. It is okay for men to do one thing, but if women do it, a completely different opinion is observed.

In class discussion, it has been brought up numerous times how unfair the roles in gender are. Fortunately, women have fought for centuries to prove themselves and able and willing to complete tasks just as man do. Beyonce shows her audience that as hard as women may work, there will always be a gender bias. In relationships, homes, and the work place. As a successful women herself, Beyonce still sees and understands the struggles women face everyday. Most women wish sometimes that they could be a boy. 

If I Were a Boy