By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 29th 2010 7:57AM
Filed under: Celebrity News, News
It appears that the queen of all things musical, Beyonce Knowles,
has signed on for a major deal with HD-TV manufacturer VIZIO. In the latest of her financial touchdowns, Beyonce is going to be placed in three Super Bowl ads, ranging in price from $3 million to $6 million.
While Beyonce has her own interpretation of why she is one of the most highly sought after entertainers in the world, I've got my own take on the matter. Here are some reasons that Beyonce Knowles is one of the greatest performers in the history of American music.
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Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
Looking just like her mom Tina, Beyonce began her career with hair extensions based on braids, way before she would "upgrade" to lace-front wigs. Beyonce's mother's taste would continue to influence the her, as she would struggle to develop her own looks apart from her mother's sensibilities.
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Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
In 2001, Destiny's Child won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for their hit single 'Say My Name.' Beyonce was 20 years old, and Solange was 15. New to superstardom, these young girls from Texas would take their time developing their sense of style.
Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
Looking just like her mom Tina, Beyonce began her career with hair extensions based on braids, way before she would "upgrade" to lace-front wigs. Beyonce's mother's taste would continue to influence the her, as she would struggle to develop her own looks apart from her mother's sensibilities.
Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
Working a strange mix of accessories, Beyonce used her ensemble to promote her self-penned hit 'Bootylicious.' We do what we must to reach the top! It was 2001, and still a few more years before Bey would cement her top spot without resorting to desperate fashion moves.
Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
At the 2001 Teen Choice Awards, Beyonce and Solange fully evoked the over-the-top tacky look that became synonymous with their mother's style choices. Matching neon yellow outfits and braids in clashing shades of auburn were made worse by the wrong make-up colors. Having their mother as their stylist was quite the cross for B. and Solange to bear.
Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
In outfits containing a range of colors in clothing, hair, make-up and accessories that defy my capacity for negative description, Solange and Beyonce attended the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards -- wearing more clothes designed by Tina Knowles. Need we say more?
Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
As a teen, Solange grew up in the fast lane. Her braids, scarf, tee and jewelry were clothing any average girl would wear. As much as she needed to develop her sense of style as a star, Solange's deeper struggle would include developing an identity apart from her sister.
Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
Solange and Beyonce posed together in 2002. This is an uncharacteristically dressed-down look for Bey. Do you think she still has that 'Michael Jackson's Thriller' shirt?
Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
Through this two-tone hair sculpture in the form of a lace-front wig, Beyonce shows the world that they do indeed do things big in Texas at the 'Austin Powers In Goldmember' premiere in 2002. While Beyonce began to branch out into acting roles at this time and slightly mature in her sense of style, Solange still seemed like a non-entity totally dressed by Mom.
Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
These two sisters made an appearance on MTV's 'TRL' in 2002 wearing distinctly different casual looks. While Beyonce took her relaxed dressing to a costume-like extreme, Solange still looked like a normal young person.
Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
At the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, Bey gave a knockout performance and revealed what many would come to term the "Beyonce Look" in full force. The huge blond mane and over-the-top sexy outfits were here to stay.
Beyonce and Solange Fashion Transformation
1) Beyonce is consistent: Knock on wood, but I don't expect to hear about any crazy Tiger Woods-like scandals involving Beyonce. She doesn't show up to the Grammys drunk or bum rush the stage to take awards away from other entertainers. She always presents herself with the class and dignity of a superstar. She has, for the most part, become entertainment royalty -- always presenting herself with a queen-like presence. Whether we like her or not, Beyonce handles herself in an impactful and disciplined way.
2) She continuously reinvents herself: The world is usually on the edge of its seat waiting to see what Beyonce is going to come out with next -- her new look, change in hairstyle, latest rhythm, or anything else that makes her a trend-setter. Nearly every year she has been out her changes have always been intriguing and imaginative. It's not easy to keep re-inventing yourself. Her songwriters also do an amazing job.
3) She is well-managed: You can talk about her father Matthew all you want, but the man knows how to manage and monetize a valuable brand. Rarely has an entertainer had such deeply entrenched connections with corporate America. Beyonce is on her way to matching Michael Jackson, The Beatles and other major performers when it comes to cashing in on her fame.
4) Her work is always high quality: You almost never see Beyonce release anything that is mediocre or flat out garbage. Everything she puts out is safe enough to get airplay, but intriguing enough to keep the record spinning. When Beyonce does something new, it is as consistently good as the next playoff performance of Lebron James.
Beyonce, right now, has the Midas touch. If she continues to remain consistent, she will surely become one of the wealthiest and most significant performers who ever lived. Good for you Beyonce, go do your thing.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (28)
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By: CC on 1/29/2010 11:14AM
I disagree. Beyonce Knowles's success and popularity are due to the following factors, heavy PR, heavy marketing, she has a stage father, her looks and over sexed image. She has not reinvented herself since 2003 and has become the most overexposed and overrated artist of the past five years. She almost comes off as very insecure of being outshined by other artist. She is clearly addicted to fame, money and hogging the spotlight. No way is she in the same league as Michael Jackson or the Beatles. Her music is too juvenile and has no substance.
She steals other peoples ideas and song credits. Oh and her dad is part of the Grammy commitee which explains her ten nominations.
Lord forgive me for saying this, but I simply hate this woman and can't wait for her downfall.
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By: Verna on 1/29/2010 2:25PM
Jealousy is a sickness. Haters help her shine. The more people hate on her the more she shines. Seek therapy, because there is a reason you hate this woman so much. It's something deep within and it may come from your childhood. I teach my young daughter to love all people, even when they hate her. Most of the time women hate on each other, especially black women. They hate on eachother and then, they hate on the "White Girls." I say child "Just pray for them." If you repent, God will forgive you. By the way, I am African American.
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By: topaz on 1/29/2010 3:47PM
i definetly agree with you! everything you said is true. there is nothing to hate but damn give other artists to get attention too. heck i won't be watching super bowl anyway.beyonce is too overrated and she should take a break for a while. why not recoginze mary j. blige who has been in the business for 22 years? that isn't fair at all!
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By: nissa on 1/29/2010 6:33PM
Question: Why is heavy PR a bad thing and if it is true that's the reason for her succcess, why isn't everybody doing it. And yeah, her Dad is a stage dad Thank God or we would probably never have heard of her. A clue for you: Papa Knowles did not have the status of a Simon Cowell or Clive Davis. We only heard of Papa due to his 1st clients:DC/Beyonce. That means he could Not have pulled enough strings to get her this acclaim, it was her sheer TALENT. Sorry, I know this makes your head explode but she is not only beautiful but she is extremely talented. Her dad was just smart enough to see it and determined enough to help her live her dream. You hate her because you're jealous which is so sad but you have plenty of company -knock yourself out.
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By: Mary on 1/31/2010 2:16AM
Do you know how STUPID you are to us while Beyonce is skipping to the bank and is the richest woman ever?
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By: Mary on 2/07/2010 4:38AM
HATERS!!! YOU ALL MUST BE UGLY AS HELL. DON'T BE JEALOUS BECAUSE SOMEONE IS TALENTED AND BEAUTIFUL AND RICH.
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By: Kathy on 2/03/2010 12:46PM
I totally agree she is so overated and as Simon stated years ago she can't sing. The only thing that catches folks eyes is her shaking her tail everthing else is fake. Call me a Hater if you like i am calling as I and plenty others see it.
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By: Timara on 2/12/2010 7:12PM
CC and a host of other commenters, you guys deserve 10 grammy's each. Only thing I disagree with is "hating her" and "waiting for her downfall", that's too cruel. What else can I add? People who have a difference in opinion will be considered a "HATER" (which I hope someone burries that tired word and becomes creative). Jealousy and Envy isn't in the runnings neither!
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By: jan on 1/29/2010 12:24PM
It is clearly evident that Dr. Boyce has an obsession with beyoncitis, I can't see the reinvention of anything with beyonce! She has been consistent with these thing since the beginning of Destin'y Child, hogging the spotlight, releasing an album whenever Michelle or Kelly is ready to release one, constantly talking about how shy she is but comfortable enough to gyrate in front of her mom and dad. Blaming all her evilness on Sasha, every video with the wind machine blowing her 18inch weave, scared to take a break, for fear someone else will get a chance to shine, I can understand for men that watching her booty shake and gyrate and perform her sexual acts make you lose sense of what is really talent and substance!
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By: Rodney on 1/29/2010 1:06PM
Here we go with the haters, the woman is doing her thing. It amazeses me how someone like Britney Spears a person that lip sings to everything she does gets praise from the whole world and Beyonce gets slammed by people even though she sings, shes not running around stealing womens men when their carrying child and shes not acting a fool in public shaving her hair because of a nervous break down. It is so funny that women always got something bad to say about beyonce and all she is doing is being an entertainer and doing it well I might add so don't knock her for giving her all to the public. A lot of people in this world wish they could be in beyonce position. Beyonce was meant to be a performer and there's no doubt about that.
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