Let’s face it: Destiny’s Child was that group of women that we loved to love and loved to hate. Switching out members twice, but ultimately finding a lifelong standing with Michelle, Kelly and Beyoncé. The ladies produced many hits, from “Jumpin Jumpin” to “Soldier” and all the way to their most recent track, “Nuclear,” you can not deny the power that these women have exuded throughout the years.
Since the separation of the group for each member to pursue solo careers, the world has fawned over front woman – Beyoncé Knowles. However, more recently Kelly Rowland has begun to make a HUGE impact across the world. We have had our eye on Kelly since the beginning but, something has officially changed, a genuine evolution of stature…
Kelly Rowland, the second original member of Destiny’s Child, has had a very interesting career over the years. Emerging from a group of talented girls, begging to be seen as her own independent woman, success has been knocking on her door for quite some time.
Kelly found fame as a solo artist when the nationwide hit “Dilemma” skyrocketed to the top. The track, which she was featured on with rapper, Nelly, showcased Kelly’s talent as an artist on her own path and opened the door for her anticipated debut solo album, Simply Deep. However, while considered a success worldwide the album failed to produce another strong single in the States, and left fans confused by its musical direction.
Following the official disbandment of Destiny’s Child in 2005, Kelly moved on with the release her second solo album, Ms. Kelly, which featured the top-ten single, “Like This.” The album unfortunately did not gain as much success as its predecessor, neither locally nor internationally, leaving some fans confused and disappointed. Following this period the Houston-native hit a career crossroads, leaving Matthew Knowles as her manager, and her longtime label Columbia Records. In 2009, Rowland was featured on the dance song “When Love Takes Over”, by then widely-unknown French DJ, David Guetta. The song, which was the first single off his album One Love, was a commercial success, reaching number one in ten countries, including in the UK, Italy and Switzerland, and earned the pair a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Dance Recording category of the 52nd Grammy Awards.
This record became a catapult to the next stage of her evolving career. Although there were a couple more stumbles, Kelly hit another defining moment when she premiered the number one hit “Motiviation,” which became the lead single off her third solo album and first on Universal Motown, Here I Am. This song alone transitioned her into the absolute sex-symbol that we see in front of us today.
With iconic style and an incredible voice, Kelly Rowland has done more than make an everlasting mark on the music industry, and we don’t expect her to be falling short anytime soon. In fact we are expecting even bigger accomplishments from Ms. Kelly in the near future. Her latest Mike Will produced single, “Kisses Down Low” has already garnered a lot of buzz and the anticipation for its featured body of work, her fourth solo album, Talk A Good Game, is building strong, with contributions from legendary R&B hitmakers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, along with Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, The-Dream and more.
From a child of destiny to now a woman of motivation, Kelly Rowland has proven that a little patience and much talent goes such a long way. We can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store for the singer.
Over her 15+ years in the music industry Kelly’s look has evolved just as much as her music, check out our photo gallery of Kelly’s evolution below…
written by Ni’kesia Pannell
Excellent article..very on point to my favorite girl..cheers to the writer..Go Kelly!! This is your year