2004: Destiny’s Child, Destiny Fulfilled
By Maya Coleman
Introduction
Intentionally named, Destiny Fulfilled is a rare anomaly of a quality last album from a group splitting on their own good terms. It is a reflection of organic growth as the group champions an evolved R&B sound that tackles more mature subject matter, mirroring their personal trajectory. It is the group's strongest album vocally, as the trio reaches new levels of cohesion and unlocked harmonies. It is the album where Beyoncé displays the vocal skill and tone that would usher her into new levels of solo superstardom; it is Michelle's gospel truth and solidification of her signature bridge; and the reinvention of Kelly’s sound that rules her next two solo albums. From the music, visuals, fashion, and overall rollout, Destiny Fulfilled is the final chapter of a well executed musical passage to womanhood. Their first grown woman album that is truly grown, and that’s exactly why it was a perfect parting album.
In the Beginning / GirlsTyme
As one of the best-selling female pop vocal groups, Destiny's Child was a consistent staple of the girl group phenomenon up until the 2010’s. The group found its roots through organic connections in their Houston community, and originated in the form of some iteration of Girls Tyme. Following an unsuccessful run on “Star Search,” the group rebranded, cutting two members and adding LeToya to solidify the four original members–Beyoncé, Kelly, LaTavia and LeToya–and the creation of Destiny’s Child. More important than how they met is recognizing how long they have been in the music industry. Their careers began as elementary childhood and family friends, as literal children. When they became teenagers, the women hit the mainstream. Girlhood is already a lot, and as they grew older under the glare of a spotlight and the pressures of a notoriously cut throat music industry, the group’s turbulent story makes sense. Crucial to this story is how the group functioned as a mission of the Knowles family. Matthew Knowles managed both the group and his daughter, while Tina Knowles became the girls’ in-house fashion designer and coined their original name, “Destiny.” The familial connections and origins are at the core of the infamous split. Although a villain in some eyes, Matthew Knowles is credited for the serious work ethic and professionalism synonymous with Beyoncé; few groups have performance footage that rolls back as far as Destiny's Child. Those early years of determination and focus is the basis for the girls’ ability to take over the main stage as DC4, as well as seamlessly pivot and reinvent themselves over the years.
The Come Up / Destiny’s Child
The group's self-titled debut album Destiny’s Child was released in 1997 in the midst of a changing contemporary R&B landscape. It is perhaps their only album anchored in R&B without the group's signature pop fusion. It acts as a blend of sample heavy adult contemporary R&B paired with 90’s hip-hop influences. Thus, the album comes off as an amalgamation of the times as the group tries on various sounds lacking authenticity, much of which do not align with the groups image or energy. The album opens with the surprisingly mature track “Second Nature” which samples the Isley Brothers’ “Make Me Say It Again Girl,” and remains one of the group's best deep cuts (This has recently come full circle as the Isley Brothers featured Beyoncé on a remake of the track for their new album). It is a maturity we don’t hear from the group again until their final album, as it appears on tracks such as “Love” and “Free.” Overall the album is lackluster with no true identity, although the group sonically makes its southern foundation known on tracks like “With Me Pt. 1,” produced by Jermaine Dupri and features Master P. With no one over the age of 16, the group's efforts on sultry and seductive themes paired with nursery rhyme hooks come off as amateur. While the late 90’s was known for producing teen stars covering rather adult content (think Monica and Brandy) it is not quite believable in delivery for DC. Beyoncé, who has always been the lead singer, has her moments but has yet to develop her distinctive tone and controlled runs we know today. While far from a knockout album, a breakout platinum single, “No, No, No, Pt. 2” is enough to put them in the spotlight and act as a catalyst for the sound and attitude that dominates their next album. The song is a remix featuring Wyclef Jones, and acts as an upbeat flip of the late night R&B based “Pt 1.” In hindsight the remix is a turning point for the group in both sound and image. The “Pt. 1” video debuted sleek and “grown” coordinated red lip nightclub looks. The “Pt. 2” video trades in their furs in exchange for crop tops and leather, a much more fitting look for the fantasy story. The success of the remix played a part in cementing the signature sound to come from the group as it leans into their youth. Although not afforded girlhood in the public eye, they are in fact bubbly, sassy, confident black teens enjoying the spotlight and success of their childhood work. With the turn of the millennium opening up a space for a new girl group Destiny's Child is prime to take over. And they do just that with their next album, where they are clear on who they are and what they want to say.
Breakthrough / The Writing’s on the Wall
The group undoubtedly smashed the sophomore slump with their second album The Writing’s on the Wall released in 1999. It is their classic album, the one that’s highlighted as essential on any streaming service, and rightfully so as the group masterfully refined themselves. The album broke from their uninventive contemporary 90’s R&B love songs and ushered in anthems for women empowerment and joy. No longer reminiscent of cover artists of their inspirations, DC leans into their own fusion of pop, hip-hop, and R&B that fueled the early 2000’s. Beyoncé sings leads commanding tracks with aggressive runs and confidence missing from their debut. The album produced several hits including “Say My Name,” “Bills, Bills, Bills,” “Jumpin’, Jumpin’,” “Bug a Boo,” and “So Good.” Although packed with club hits the group’s R&B roots are still present, but this time more on brand and polished as delivered on “Temptation” and “If You Leave.” It is this era where the group shines as a unit and produced some of their most iconic looks that matched the bright early 2000’s VMAs and spring bling fashions while also echoing afrofuturism themes championed by fellow black artists. A specific nod to Texas appears through cowboy hats in their “Bug a Boo” video. Their most notable visual accompanies their biggest hit with the “Say My Name” video. Unfortunately, the video is at the center of chaos as LaTavia and LeToya vocals are present but they are not. At the height of success, it is the groups last album with original members as a very public bitter split over favoritism and Matthew Knowles management results in the removal of the two members. Still, it is The Writing’s on the Wall that brings identity and clarity of sound while cementing them as stars. Forthcoming albums build on its success, and all the elements and magic showcased show up 2.0 on Destiny Fulfilled.
Comeback Season / Survivor
In the wake of fallout Kelly and Beyoncé remain to regroup and pick up the pieces. Not exactly an easy feat as Destiny’s Child[ren] find themselves on the defense from bad publicity. The group struggles losing favor with their core base. They try to rebuild with new members, even having Solange fill in at times. Farrah Franklin, who appeared in the “Say My Name” video, time is short lived (but remains alive through her infamous luggage clip). Ultimately, the group finds stability in the gem that is Michelle Williams. Williams' unique powerhouse voice helps them ring a new era as the backbone of the group, often bringing the power bridge that makes her gospel route no surprise. Where Beyoncé and Kelly’s vocals have always felt familiar, Williams stands out. Their third album, Survivor, was released in 2001, both the album and single became a much needed win for the group and it is their chance to tell their side as “survivors.” For the first time the group gets personal with something to say. They did just that, triumphantly reviving their career with much commercial success. R&B roots play the back in their most pop focused album with singles tied to blockbuster soundtracks including “Independent Women: Pt. 1,” featured on Charlie's Angels. The album boasts additional hits “Bootylicious” and “Emotions.” Having made it through the worst of the breakup the group has gone through some things. With three albums under their belt and noticeable individuality, each member ventures out to solo work. It feels natural as the group is suddenly less teen and more young adult growing past their girl power themes. Kelly Rowland goes the traditional urban R&B route with debut album Simply Deep released in 2002. Having often unfairly been placed second to Bey, Kelly shines on her own. The album includes the hit song, “Dilemma,” and it is Kelly who is the first member to have a solo number 1 single. Michelle always made her connection to religion clear, and also released her debut solo charting gospel album in 2002. Prior to the release of her debut album, Beyoncé tries her hand at acting in the ever popular Austin Powers franchise and releases the funky Gold Member soundtrack dance single “Work It Out” to lukewarm reception. However, in 2003 her debut solo album Dangerously in Love was released featuring the megahit “Crazy In Love,” and well…the rest is well known history and the basis of her superstar success.
The Final Chapter / Destiny Fullied
Following successful solo endeavors the group reunites for one final golden album. In hindsight it’s an odd move as most groups opt for reunions after a long hiatus. However, for DC the album marks the end of an era letting them wrap up and evenly contribute to their story before continuing with varying solo work. Released in 2004, Destiny Fulfilled harkens back to their R&B base while still having the signature crossover anthems that made them superstars. Their growth manifests in a quality album displaying the best traits of each member with equal shine. No longer 90’s teens, the group goes for more elevated material but this time it aligns with the women they’ve become. It is also the group's most intimate album. The album starts with high energy picking up where they left off before blossoming into lush synchronized and soulful R&B. The drumlined backed “Lose My Breath” and street but southern “Soldier” are released as singles adding to their collection of hooked anthems that pushed them to the spotlight. What’s new is sophisticated and sensual tracks like “T-Shirt” and “Cater 2 U” letting the world know that the ladies of DC3 are grown women. A welcomed surprise is more intricate love songs such as “Love” and “Free” where the group effortlessly delivers soft but tight harmonies. It’s clear the group has finally perfected their cohesion as knockout soulful stacked vocals and precision are delivered on “Is She The Reason” and “If” that blows their debut work out the water. The true mark of growth is not only unity, but how it pairs with individuality in the way their own specific experiences and thoughts weave into the album. In a rare move Kelly gets personal on songs like “Girl” alluding to domestic abuse she exposes in later solo work. Michelle has long been the executor for closing with memorable bridges, but this time she breathes new life often being the strongest part of songs. She also directly links her solo identity to the group on love-song-turned-testimony, “Through with Love.” Beyoncé, having been critiqued for being underdeveloped and then perhaps too much, establishes her balance. Her vocal technique and delivery is dominant and complex without being excessive. A valuable skill that took her career and pop dominance to new levels as this balance of creativity and control translated to her music, performance, visuals, and overall image.
Paired with a new mature sound is a new grown woman look. The group naturally evolved from their Y2K fashion. They ditch their blinged out bold prints and braids in exchange for neutral earth tones and gowns for a press run of natural soft glam. The revamped image is underscored with a stunning bare stripped down and close up album cover. To make sure the public got the message the group gave a seductive performance of “Cater 2 U” at the 2005 BET Awards equipped with lap dances for Black on screen legends. The best part about a group splitting on their own goodwill is that they get a proper send off. DC receives this through a farewell tribute at the 2005 World Music Awards featuring a “baby” Rihanna, Amerie, and Teairra Marie. Patti LaBelle, the luminary diva formerly of the Labelles, offers kind words of wisdom to the tearful trio through her performance of “Stand By You,” providing a sweet conclusion for their group career. There comes a point where you complete the mission. Anything more is too much and anything less is unfinished. A gift of an album that has aged like fine wine, the fullness, emotion, and evolution displayed on Destiny Fulfilled secures its placement in the vault of timeless R&B albums you can always run back and straight through.
Maya Coleman is a writer and urban planner from Maryland. As an avid music lover, vinyl collector, and concert goer she is passionate about music discovery and exploration. She operates FullMoon Review, a music review and recommendation site that spotlights Black women.