Beyoncé is a popular American singer and actress. She first gained fame as a member of the singing group Destiny’s Child. In the early 2000′s, Beyoncé established herself as a successful solo performer. Credit: © Shutterstock

February is Black History Month, an annual observance of the achievements and culture of Black Americans. This month, Behind the Headlines will feature Black pioneers in a variety of areas.

Many notable artists graced the stage at the 2023 Grammy Awards on February 5th, 2023, but Beyoncé and Viola Davis hit the headlines starting Black History Month with shiny awards. American singer and actress Beyoncé broke the record for the most Grammy Awards won by any artist, with 32 awards. American actress Viola Davis won a Grammy Award for her audiobook Finding Me, published in 2022. This Grammy secured Davis as one of the relatively few actors who have won Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards. Only 18 people have won all four awards to become what the industry calls E.G.O.T.s. Other big winners include American rap musician and songwriter Kendrick Lamar who won best rap performance, song, and album. American rap artist, singer, and musician Lizzo won the record of the year for “About Damn Time” (2022).

Beyoncé’s career is more than inspiring. Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born on Sept. 4, 1981, in Houston, Texas. At the age of 9, she began singing with an all-girl group called Girl’s Tyme. The group changed its name often before the members settled on Destiny’s Child and recorded a number of hit songs. In the early 2000’s, Beyoncé established herself as a successful solo performer.

Beyoncé had begun performing on her own while still singing with Destiny’s Child. Her first album, Dangerously in Love (2003), was an international hit. It was followed by the hit albums B’Day (2006), I Am…Sasha Fierce (2008), 4 (2011), Beyoncé (2013), Lemonade (2016), and Renaissance (2022). Her most popular singles include “Crazy in Love” (with rap singer Jay-Z, 2003); “Irreplaceable” (2006); “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008); “Drunk in Love” (also featuring Jay-Z, 2013); “Formation” (2016); and “Break My Soul” (2022). In 2008, she married Jay-Z. The couple released their first joint album, Everything Is Love, in 2018. In 2018, Beyoncé became the first Black woman to headline (be engaged as a leading performer at) the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival held in Indio, California.

As an actress, Beyoncé made her debut in the made-for-TV musical motion picture Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001). She also appeared in the movies Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), Dreamgirls (2006), Cadillac Records (2008), and Obsessed (2009). Beyoncé provided her voice for a character in the animated feature film Epic (2013). She also voiced the lioness character Nala in The Lion King (2019), a computer-animated remake of the 1994 animated feature film The Lion King.

American actress Viola Davis
Credit: © Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock

Viola Davis has received more varied awards compared to Beyoncé. Davis became known for her intense performances. She also became known as an activist for greater inclusion, particularly of African Americans, in the movie and theater industries.

Davis was born on Aug. 11, 1965, in rural Saint Matthews, South Carolina. In 1988, she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater from Rhode Island College, in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1993, she received a certificate in acting from the Juilliard School in New York City, New York.

Davis got her first big acting break in 1995 in American dramatist August Wilson’s play Seven Guitars. Her bold performance as the character Vera Hedley earned her the first of many Tony Award nominations. Davis made her first motion-picture appearance in the drama The Substance of Fire (1996). She gained widespread recognition in the film Doubt (2008), in which she played a mother fighting for justice for her son. Davis’s other notable movies include The Help (2011), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020), and The Woman King (2022).

How did Davis secure E.G.O.T. status? She won Tony Awards in 2001 and 2010, for her acting in the plays King Hedley II and Fences, respectively. Both plays were written by August Wilson. In 2015, Davis became the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series, for her performance in the TV series “How to Get Away with Murder” (2014-2020). In 2017, she won the Academy Award for best supporting actress for her role in the movie Fences (2016). And in 2023, Davis won a Grammy Award for the audiobook of her memoir Finding Me, published in 2022.

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion
Credit: © Scott Dudelson, Getty Images

On March 14, 2021, the 63rd Grammy Awards were held in and around the Los Angeles Convention Center. Because of the ongoing pandemic (global outbreak) of the coronavirus disease COVID-19, very few people were in attendance. In an open-air tent, nominees—in masks coordinated with their couture (custom clothing)—sat at their own tables spaced several feet or meters from other guests. Winners accepted their awards on stage. As the winners approached the stage, they removed their stylish, protective coverings, revealing wide smiles and making it easier to understand their acceptance speeches. The South African comedian and television personality Trevor Noah hosted the event.

British singer Dua Lipa
Credit: © Kevin Mazur, Getty Images

Many concert venues have been closed for the past year. So, music’s biggest night acted as a three-hour music festival. The night began with performances by such musicians as Billie Eilish and Harry Styles. Throughout the night, performers from a variety of genres played electrifying sets that spurred dance parties across the country, even if the dance parties were limited to the sofa. The British singer Dua Lipa performed her hits “Don’t Start Now” and “Levitating,” with an appearance by the American rapper Da Baby. Country music artists Mickey Guyton, Miranda Lambert, and Maren Morris gave soulful performances. The American rapper Lil Baby delivered a powerful performance of his song “The Bigger Picture.” Inspired by the worldwide protests set off by the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, the song is anthem for racial justice. Other performers included the Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, the Korean pop music group BTS, and the American hip-hop musician Post Malone.

Perhaps the most anticipated performances of the night were those by the American rappers Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B. Megan delivered a rousing show, which included her hit “Savage.” Cardi B then performed her song “Up” and was joined by Megan to sing “WAP.”

Beyoncé is a popular American singer and actress. She first gained fame as a member of the singing group Destiny’s Child. In the early 2000′s, Beyoncé established herself as a successful solo performer. Credit: © Shutterstock

Women dominated the winner’s circle. Taylor Swift won album of the year for Folklore. Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia won best pop vocal album. Miranda Lambert took home the award for best country album for Wildcard. For her song “Everything I Wanted,” Billie Eilish accepted the award for record of the year. In her acceptance speech, Eilish said she believed the award should have gone to Megan Thee Stallion. But, the rapper did not go home empty handed. Megan won the award for best new artist. Megan went on to share two more awards—best rap performance and best rap song—with the American singing legend Beyoncé, who was featured on “Savage.” These wins—along with several others—earned Beyoncé the record for most lifetime Grammy wins by a female artist.

February 8, 2016

R & b diva Beyoncé gave an energetic and politically charged performance at the halftime show at Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, February 7, as the Denver Broncos took on the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. She also performed with the halftime show’s headliner, British rock group Coldplay. Beyoncé had also performed at Super Bowl XLVII in 2013. Bruno Mars was another repeat performer at the 2016 halftime show. He headlined Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.

Beyoncé is a popular American singer and actress. She first gained fame as a member of the singing group Destiny’s Child. In the early 2000′s, Beyoncé established herself as a successful solo performer. Credit: © Shutterstock

One of today’s biggest megastars, Beyoncé rose to fame in the late 1990’s with the hugely successful all-woman r & b singing group Destiny’s Child. As a solo artist and with Destiny’s Child, she has won 20 Grammy Awards and has been nominated for 53 Grammys, making her the most nominated woman in Grammy history.

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born on Sept. 4, 1981, in Houston, Texas. At the age of 9, she began singing with an all-girl group called Girl’s Tyme. The group changed its name often before the members settled on Destiny’s Child. It recorded a number of hit songs, notably “No, No, No” (1998) and “Independent Women Part I” (2000). Destiny’s Child disbanded in 2005.

In the early 2000’s, Beyoncé established herself as a successful solo performer while still singing with Destiny’s Child. Her first album, Dangerously in Love (2003), was an international hit. It was followed by the other number-one albums B’Day (2006), I Am…Sasha Fierce (2008), 4 (2011), and Beyoncé (2013). The latter, a surprise release in late December 2013, became the fastest-selling album in the history of the iTunes Music Store. Beyoncé’s most popular singles include “Crazy in Love” (with rap singer and songwriter Jay-Z, 2003); “Irreplaceable” (2006); “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008); “Drunk in Love” (also featuring Jay-Z, 2013); and “Partition” (2014). In 2008, she married Jay-Z.

As an actress, Beyoncé made her debut in the television musical Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001). She also appeared in the motion pictures Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), Dreamgirls (2006), Cadillac Records (2008), and Obsessed (2009). She also provided her voice for a character in the animated feature Epic (2013).

Other World Book articles:

• Popular music (2011) – A Back in Time article
• Popular music (2014) – A Back in Time article