Editing Destiny's Child (section)

== Artistry ==
=== Musical style and themes ===
Destiny's Child recorded [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] songs with styles that encompass [[urban contemporary|urban]], [[contemporary R&B|contemporary]], and [[dance-pop]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p278369|title=Destiny's Child: Biography|last=Huey|first=Steve|work=Allmusic|publisher=Macrovision Company|access-date=August 4, 2008|archive-date=December 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111220010007/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p278369|url-status=live}}</ref> In the group's original lineup, Knowles was the lead vocalist, Rowland was the second lead vocalist, Luckett was on [[soprano]], and Roberson was on [[alto]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1721552/beyonce-shade-kelly-rowland-letoya-luckett/|title=Did Beyonce Really Throw Shade at Kelly Rowland? We Asked LeToya Luckett|last=Midgarden|first=Cory|publisher=MTV|date=January 30, 2014|access-date=September 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914080819/http://www.mtv.com/news/1721552/beyonce-shade-kelly-rowland-letoya-luckett/|archive-date=September 14, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thegrio.com/2014/05/08/latavia-roberson-destinys-child/|title=LaTavia Roberson Defends Kelly Rowland: 'She was always the second lead singer of Destiny's Child'|last=Witherspoon|first=Chris|publisher=The Grio|date=May 8, 2014|access-date=September 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011091503/http://thegrio.com/2014/05/08/latavia-roberson-destinys-child/|archive-date=October 11, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Knowles remained as the lead vocalist in the group's final lineup as a trio, however, Rowland and Williams also took turns in singing lead for the majority of their songs.<ref name="DunnDate" /><ref name="EliscuRolling" /> Destiny's Child has cited R&B singer [[Janet Jackson]], [[En Vogue]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Endante |date=2023-07-23 |title=What Happened To En Vogue |url=https://endante.com/what-happened-to-en-vogue/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Endante |language=en-US |archive-date=August 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828060050/https://endante.com/what-happened-to-en-vogue/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[TLC (group)|TLC]]<ref>{{Cite web |last1=December 23 |first1=Beyonce Knowles Updated |last2=EST |first2=2002 at 05:00 AM |title=Beyonce Knowles remembers Lisa ''Left Eye'' Lopes |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/12/23/beyonce-knowles-remembers-lisa-left-eye-lopes/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=EW.com |language=en |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324213811/https://ew.com/article/2002/12/23/beyonce-knowles-remembers-lisa-left-eye-lopes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as their influences.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12056577|title=Destiny's Child Inspired By Janet Jackson|last=Atwood|first=Brett|date=January 11, 2001|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=March 26, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611134935/http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12056577|archive-date=June 11, 2007}}</ref> Ann Powers of ''[[The New York Times]]'' described Destiny's Child music as "fresh and emotional&nbsp;... these ladies have the best mixes, the savviest samples and especially the most happening beats."<ref name="PowersFeminism">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/29/arts/music-in-tune-with-the-new-feminism.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|title=Destiny's Child: In Tune With the New Feminism|last=Powers|first=Ann|date=April 29, 2001|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108075726/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/29/arts/music-in-tune-with-the-new-feminism.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|archive-date=January 8, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same publication, Jon Pareles noted that the sound that defines Destiny's Child, aside from Knowles' voice, "is the way its melodies jump in and out of double-time. Above brittle, [[syncopation|syncopated rhythm]] tracks, quickly articulated verses alternate with smoother choruses."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9401E6DE1E3FF932A3575BC0A9639C8B63&fta=y&scp=36&sq=Destiny%27s%20child&st=cse|title=Pop Review; Empowerment, Allure And a Runway's Flair|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=August 1, 2005|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525111002/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9401E6DE1E3FF932A3575BC0A9639C8B63&fta=y&scp=36&sq=Destiny%27s%20child&st=cse|archive-date=May 25, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> The group usually harmonize their vocals in their songs, especially on the ballads. In most instances of their songs, each member sings one verse and chimes in at the chorus.<ref name="EliscuRolling" /> In their third album ''[[Survivor (Destiny's Child album)|Survivor]]'' (2001), each member sings lead in the majority of the songs.<ref name="DunnDate" /> Knowles said, "...&nbsp;everybody is a part of the music&nbsp;... Everybody is singing lead on every song, and it's so great—because now Destiny's Child is at the point vocally and mentally that it should be at."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1443010/20010420/destinys_child.jhtml|title='Bootylicious' Destiny's Child Sample Stevie Nicks, More on Survivor|last=Basham|first=David|date=April 20, 2001|publisher=MTV|access-date=February 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504205023/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1443010/20010420/destinys_child.jhtml|archive-date=May 4, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Knowles, however, completely led songs like "Brown Eyes" and "[[Dangerously in Love 2]]". The group explored themes of sisterhood and women's empowerment in songs such as "Independent Women" and "Survivor", but have also been criticized for the anti-feminist message of songs such as "Cater 2 U" and "[[Nasty Girl (Destiny's Child song)|Nasty Girl]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217020828/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/track_review/30672-cater-2-u|title=Destiny's Child "Cater 2 U" [Track Review]|publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]]|first=Sean|last=Fennessey|archive-date=February 17, 2008 |date=August 1, 2005|access-date=May 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2005/01/destinys_child_destiny_fulfilled_columbia/|title=Destiny's Child- Destiny Fulfilled (Columbia)|last=Ehrlich|first=Dimitri|date=January 3, 2005|magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|volume=13|issue=1|access-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020144653/http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2005/01/destinys_child_destiny_fulfilled_columbia/|archive-date=October 20, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/03/what-rush-limbaugh-got-right-about-beyonce/274305/|title=What Rush Limbaugh Got Right About Beyonce|first=Noah|last=Berlatsky|work=[[The Atlantic]]|date=March 23, 2013|access-date=May 8, 2021|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508115054/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/03/what-rush-limbaugh-got-right-about-beyonce/274305/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Survivor'' contains themes interpreted by the public as a reference to the group's internal conflict. The title track, "[[Survivor (Destiny's Child song)|Survivor]]", which set the theme used throughout the album,<ref name="DunnDate" /> features the lyrics "I'm not gonna blast you on the radio&nbsp;... I'm not gonna lie on you or your family&nbsp;... I'm not gonna hate you in the magazine" caused Roberson and Luckett to file a lawsuit against the group; the lyrics were perceived to be a violation over their agreement following a settlement in court.<ref name="Kaufman" /> In an interview, Knowles commented: "The lyrics to the single 'Survivor' are Destiny's Child's story because we've been through a lot,&nbsp;... We went through our drama with the members&nbsp;... Any complications we've had in our 10-year period of time have made us closer and tighter and better."<ref name="DunnDate" /> In another song called "Fancy", which contains the lyrics "You always tried to compete with me, girl&nbsp;... find your own identity", was interpreted by critic David Browne, in his review of the album for ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' magazine, as a response to the lawsuit.<ref name="BrowneSurvivor">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2001/05/07/survivor|title=Survivor (2008): Destiny's Child|last=Browne|first=David|date=May 7, 2001|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421143329/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,108583,00.html|archive-date=April 21, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Stephen Thomas Erlewine of [[AllMusic]] summarized ''Survivor'' as "a determined, bullheaded record, intent on proving Destiny's Child has artistic merit largely because the group survived internal strife.&nbsp;... It's a record that tries to be a bold statement of purpose, but winds up feeling forced and artificial."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r528778|title=Survivor: Destiny's Child|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|website=Allmusic|access-date=February 26, 2009|archive-date=March 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305105029/https://www.allmusic.com/check-logged-in?1709635829193&_=1709635829069|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the album's receiving critical praise, Knowles' close involvement has occasionally generated criticism. Knowles wrote and co-produced the bulk of ''Survivor''.<ref name="DunnDate" /> Browne suggested that her help made ''Survivor'' a "premature, but inevitable, growing pains album".<ref name="BrowneSurvivor" /> In the majority of the songs on their final studio album ''[[Destiny Fulfilled]]'' (2004), the verses are divided into three sections, with Knowles singing first, followed by Rowland, then Williams; the three harmonize together during the choruses.<ref name="EliscuRolling">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/6592847/review/6594165|title=Destiny's Child: Destiny Fulfilled|last=Eliscu|first=Jenny|date=October 25, 2004|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=September 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518011228/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/6592847/review/6594165|archive-date=May 18, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Public image ===
[[File:Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2008 Diana Ross1.jpg|upright|thumb|right|[[Diana Ross]] (''pictured''), lead singer of [[The Supremes]], to whom Beyoncé was compared.]]

Destiny's Child were compared to [[The Supremes]], a 1960s American [[girl group|female singing group]], with Knowles being compared to Supremes frontwoman [[Diana Ross]]; Knowles, however, has dismissed the notion.<ref name="Anthony" /> Coincidentally, Knowles starred in the film adaptation of the 1981 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway musical]] ''[[Dreamgirls (film)|Dreamgirls]]'' as Deena Jones, the frontwoman of the Dreams, a female singing group based on the Supremes. With Knowles' wide role assumed in the production of ''Survivor'', Gil Kaufman of MTV noted that "it became clear that Beyoncé was emerging as DC's unequivocal musical leader and public face".<ref name="Kaufman" /> Her dominance to the creative input in the album made the album "very much her work".<ref name="BrowneSurvivor" /> For Lola Ogunnaike of ''[[The New York Times]]'', "It's been a long-held belief in the music industry that Destiny's Child was little more than a launching pad for Beyoncé Knowles' inevitable solo career."<ref name="LolaDate">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/14/arts/music/14ogun.html|title=Beyoncé's Second Date With Destiny's Child|last=Ogunnaike|first=Lola|date=November 14, 2004|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528044859/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/14/arts/music/14ogun.html|archive-date=May 28, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the wake of Knowles' debut solo album ''[[Dangerously in Love]]'' (2003), rumors spread about a possible split of Destiny's Child after each member had experienced solo success and had ongoing projects.<ref name="GilSplit">{{Cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=Destiny's Child Announce Split|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1503975/20050612/destinys_child.jhtml|work=MTV News|date=June 12, 2005|access-date=May 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504182807/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1503975/20050612/destinys_child.jhtml|archive-date=May 4, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Tanya">{{Cite news|last=Edwards|first=Tanya|title=Will 'NSYNC Or Destiny's Child Ever Record Another Album|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457698/20020920/destinys_child.jhtml|work=MTV News|date=September 23, 2002|access-date=May 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109012020/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457698/20020920/destinys_child.jhtml|archive-date=January 9, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Comparisons were drawn to [[Justin Timberlake]], who did not return to band [[NSYNC]] after his breakthrough debut solo album, ''[[Justified (album)|Justified]]''.<ref name="Kaufman" /><ref name="Tanya" /> Rowland responded to such rumors, announcing they were back in the studio together.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|title=Destiny's Child Back in the Studio, So 'Shut Up!' Kelly Rowland Says|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489338/20040709/destinys_child.jhtml|work=MTV News|date=July 9, 2004|access-date=May 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227010852/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489338/20040709/destinys_child.jhtml|archive-date=February 27, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The group claimed that the reunion was destined to happen<ref name="Kaufman" /> and that their affinity to each other kept them cohesive.<ref name="MossReunited">{{Cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|title=Destiny's Child: Reunited And It Feels So Good (Part 1)|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/d/destinys_child/news_feature/041108/|work=MTV News|access-date=May 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503103953/http://www.mtv.com/bands/d/destinys_child/news_feature/041108/|archive-date=May 3, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Margeaux Watson, arts editor at ''Suede'' magazine, suggested that Knowles "does not want to appear disloyal to her former partners," and called her decision to return to the group "a charitable one".<ref name="LolaDate" /> Knowles' mother, Tina, wrote a 2002-published book, titled ''Destiny's Style: Bootylicious Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle Secrets From Destiny's Child'', an account of how fashion influenced Destiny's Child's success.<ref>{{cite news|title=Book Excerpt: Destiny's Style|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/WinterConcert/story?id=125692|work=ABC News|access-date=October 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060305014254/http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/WinterConcert/story?id=125692|archive-date=March 5, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref>