Beyoncé Knowles (born September 4, 1981) is a popular American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, actress and designer. She is usually referred to only by her first name, which she uses as her stage name. She was a founding member and lead singer of R&B supergroup Destiny's Child.
Her debut solo album, 2003's Dangerously in Love, topped both the R&B and Billboard 200 charts in the U.S., as well as the album charts in Canada and the United Kingdom. Knowles has won nine Grammy Awards — six for her solo work, and three as a member of Destiny's Child. Knowles has a successful film career, having co-starred in Austin Powers in Goldmember, one of the highest grossing films of 2002, and having worked with Oscar winning actors in each of her theatrical films. In 2006, her song "Check on It" became her third number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist. Knowles is currently dating rap icon and Def Jam president Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.
