Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé began performing in local competitions at age 7, eventually forming the group Girl's Tyme in 1990 with help from her parents. Girl's Tyme became Destiny's Child in 1997.
During the hiatus of Destiny's Child in 2003, Beyoncé released her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love, which became one of the most successful albums of that year, and signaled her viability as a solo artist. The disbanding of Destiny's Child in 2005 facilitated her continued success: her sophomore solo album B'Day, released in 2006, debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. Her third solo album, I Am… Sasha Fierce, was released in November 2008, and in 2009 she received 10 Grammy Awards nominations. On January 31, 2010, she won 6 Grammy Awards, breaking the record for most Grammy awards won by a female artist in one night; she previously held the record of five awards with 5 other artists. Following a career hiatus, Beyoncé released her fourth studio album entitled "4" on June 24, 2011, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200.
2013 - 5th Album - "Beyoncé"
On December 12, 2013, Beyoncé unexpectedly released her fifth and self-titled album in the iTunes Store. Beyoncé called it a "visual album" as it includes 14 songs and 18 videos - with each track having a music video together with additional bonus videos. The album has a list of collaborators including Drake, Frank Ocean and her husband, Jay-Z, and daughter, Blue Ivy.
2015
In February 2015 at the 57th Grammy Awards, Beyoncé won 3 Grammys (and was nominated for 6 Grammy awards) - Best R&B Song for "Drunk in Love", Best R&B Performance and Best Surround Sound Album for Beyoncé.
On April 4th, 2015, Beyoncé surprised her fans with the release of a new single and accompanying video, released exclusively on the streaming service "Tidal" which she co-owns with a number of other big name starts including Arcade Fire, Daft Punk, Jack White, Kanye West, Madonna, Rihanna and Usher. The track, "Die With You" is a stripped down ballad, with Beyoncé sitting at a piano with pigtail braids: the song celebrates the seventh anniversary of her marriage to Jay-Z.
Super Bowl - February 2016
Beyoncé appeared on stage to perform her latest single "Formation", supporting the headline act Coldplay at the much coverted Super Bowl 50 half-time show on February 7, 2016. Also appearing on stage was Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson who performed their hit "Uptown Funk".
2016 - 6th Album - "Lemonade"
"Lemonade" is Beyoncé's a sixth solo album and was released on April 23, 2016 as an exclusive on the music streaming service, Tidal after it premiered on the TV Network, HBO, as a conceptual short film. It was subsequently made available for purchase on Apple's iTunes Store on April 24, 2016. The album has 12 tracks, with contributions from artists such as James Blake and Kendrick Lamar. According to a press release from Tidal which accompanied the release, "Lemonade" is “based on every woman’s journey of self-knowledge and healing”.
2017 - Grammy Awards
At the 59th Grammy Awards on Sun, February 12, 2017, Beyoncé took awards for "Best Urban Contemporary Album" for "Lemonade" and "Best Music Video" for "Formation"
2022 - 7th Album - "RENAISSANCE" (ACT i)
After a 6 year hiatus from music, Beyoncé announced the lead single "BREAK MY SOUL" on June 20, 2022, for her seventh studio album “RENAISSANCE" which is the first installment of a three-part project. "RENAISSANCE" was released on July 29, 2022, and was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking to inspire joy in listeners. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became the best-rated album of 2022, named the best album of the year by publications such as the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, NPR, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone, which would later place the record at number 71 on their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. It then was nominated for Album of The Year at the 65 Annual Grammy Award Show and won Best Dance/Electronic Album.
2024 - 8th Album - "COWBOY CARTER" (ACT ii)
2 years after her seventh studio album, "RENAISSANCE", Beyoncé announced her eighth studio album "COWBOY CARTER" also known as “ACT ii” released on March 29, 2024. This serves as the second installment of the three-part project, and as long rumoured, its genre is country. The album was teased through a Verizon ad aired during the Super Bowl LVIII and was preceded with two surprise singles both released on February 10, 2024, "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" which hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "16 CARRIAGES".
Miscellaneous
Beyoncé began her acting career in 2001, appearing in the musical film Carmen: A Hip Hopera. In 2006, she starred in the lead role in the film adaptation of the 1981 Broadway musical Dreamgirls, for which she earned two Golden Globe nominations.
On April 4, 2008, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were married in a small, private ceremony in New York. On January 7, 2012, Beyoncé gave birth to a daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Beyoncé is sometimes referred to as Jay-Z's wifey and/or, Jay-Z's boo thang.
Beyoncé launched her family's fashion line, House of Deréon, in 2004, and has endorsed such brands as Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger, Armani and L'Oréal.
In 2009, Forbes listed Beyoncé fourth on its list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in the world, third on its list of the top-grossing musicians, and number one on the list of top Best-Paid Celebs Under 30 with over $87 million dollars in earnings between 2008 and 2009.
Beyoncé has attained five Hot 100 number one singles, becoming one of the two female artists—joint with Rihanna—with the most number ones attained within the 2000s, excluding her three Hot 100 number one singles with Destiny's Child.
Soldier
Beyoncé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ya', gotta be g's, you way outta your league
We like them boys up top from the B.K. (B.K.)
I like them boys over there they looking strong tonight (California Love)
We like them boys that be in them lac's leanin' (Leanin')
Open their mouth, they grill gleamin' (Gleamin')
Candy paint, keep that whip clean and (Clean and) (sing it y'all)
They keep that beat that be in the back beating (Beating)
Eyes be so low from their chiefin' (Chiefin')
I love how he keep my body screaming (Screaming)
A rude boy that's good to me, wit street credibility
If his status ain't hood
I ain't checking for him
Better be street if he looking at me
I need a soldier
That ain't scared to stand up for me
Known to carry big things
If you know what I mean
There's some soldiers in here (Where they at? Where they at?)
They wanna take care of me (Where they at?)
I know some soldiers in here (Where they at? Where they at?)
Wouldn't mind putting that on me (Where they at?)
I know some soldiers in here (Where they at? Where they at?)
They wanna spend that on me (Where they at?)
I know some soldiers in here (Where they at? Where they at?)
Wouldn't mind putting that on me (Where they at?)
Let's Go (ahh)
(Ay, ay, ay, ay)
(Ay, ay, ay, ay)
(Ay, ay, ay, ay)
(Ay, ay, ay, ay)
(Ay, ay, ay, ay)
(Ay, ay, ay, ay)
(Ay, ay, ay, ay)
(Ay, ay, ay, ay)
I need a soldier
Please give it up for Destiny's Child
Give up one more time for my best friends (that's my best friend)
The lyrics in “Soldier” by Beyoncé are a celebration of strong and confident men who can be relied upon to provide protection and support. The song opens with a callout to Beyoncé’s fellow Destiny’s Child members, Michelle and Kelly, before emphasizing the necessity of having a partner who is equally strong and capable. The chorus repeats the refrain that Beyoncé is looking for a “soldier” who can stand up for her and isn’t afraid to take charge. The verses describe the physical attributes and lifestyle of these soldiers, with references to their strong appearance, flashy cars, and drug use. The message of the song is clear: Beyoncé is an independent woman who wants a partner who can complement her strength and offer support when needed.
Throughout “Soldier,” Beyoncé uses clever wordplay and phrasing to depict the type of person she’s interested in. For example, she emphasizes that her ideal partner needs to be “way outta your league,” suggesting that she’s looking for someone who’s elevated and has a certain level of status. The chorus repeats the line “I need a soldier,” which can be interpreted in different ways. On one level, it refers to literal soldiers who have the training and discipline to protect others. On another level, it could be seen as a reference to the type of person who has a warrior mentality and isn’t afraid to take charge.
Overall, “Soldier” is a high-energy anthem that celebrates powerful and confident men. It serves as a reminder that Beyoncé is a force to be reckoned with, and that she expects her partners to match her level of strength and independence.
Line by Line Meaning
Wit' 'Chelle, kick it with Kelly, or holla at B
I can hang out with Michelle, Kelly or Beyonce
Ya', gotta be g's, you way outta your league
You need to be at a certain level if you want to be with us
We like them boys up top from the B.K. (B.K.)
We like boys who come from Brooklyn
I like them boys over there they looking strong tonight (California Love)
I like the boys over there because they look very confident tonight
We like them boys that be in them lac's leanin' (Leanin')
We like boys who are driving in their Cadillac's and leaning back
Open their mouth, they grill gleamin' (Gleamin')
When they open their mouths and show off their teeth, their grill shines
Candy paint, keep that whip clean and (Clean and) (sing it y'all)
They keep their car looking new with candy paint, and it's always spotless
(They always be talking that country slang, we like)
They always speak in a Southern accent, and we find it attractive
They keep that beat that be in the back beating (Beating)
The rhythm in their music never stops and keeps going
Eyes be so low from their chiefin' (Chiefin')
Their eyes are low because they've been smoking marijuana
I love how he keep my body screaming (Screaming)
I adore how he makes my body feel intense physical pleasure
A rude boy that's good to me, wit street credibility
I want a man who's tough yet treats me well and is respected on the streets
If his status ain't hood
If he isn't respected on the streets
I ain't checking for him
I'm not interested in him
Better be street if he looking at me
He needs to be respected on the streets if he's looking at me
I need a soldier
I want a man who's a fighter
That ain't scared to stand up for me
I want a man who isn't afraid to defend me
Known to carry big things
He carries guns
If you know what I mean
If you catch my drift
There's some soldiers in here (Where they at? Where they at?)
There are some strong men here in this place
They wanna take care of me (Where they at?)
They want to provide for me
I know some soldiers in here (Where they at? Where they at?)
I know some tough men are here
Wouldn't mind putting that on me (Where they at?)
They wouldn't object to showing their interest in me
They wanna spend that on me (Where they at?)
They want to spend their money on me
Let's Go (ahh)
Let's do it
(Ay, ay, ay, ay)
A chant used to express excitement or hype
Please give it up for Destiny's Child
Please put your hands together for Destiny's Child
Give up one more time for my best friends (that's my best friend)
Another round of applause for my best friends
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kelendria Rowland, Rich Harrison, Beyonce Knowles, Michelle Williams, Sean Garrett, Clifford Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@creativeblackgirlstorytelling
Michelle had the cutest part. She hit that “ooh he looking good and he talkin right!” & then spun around and all of them pointed at her. Just adorable. Michelle by belle.
@Dani-rl5kp
Totally agree I always loved her part the beat
@glamjam9695
I agree I always loved her part
@mandystaunton9474
💯👏agreed xx
@deannadailey4699
😢😮
@jelenatihhonova3057
🎉@@Dani-rl5kp
@artforhomes
Who's watching in 2024?
@badassproductions4734
My first time too 😅
@rosiesrainbowstars2740
Oh yeah!!!😊🎉🎉
@kalvi_kalvi
Me