Beyoncé Knowles

Beyoncé Knowles spent a year recording forty-three songs with thirteen producers in seven studios for the romantic whirlwind of her blockbuster solo debut. Knowles was the final member of Destiny's Child to release a solo album after Michelle Williams' 'Heart to Yours' and Kelly Rowland's 'Simply Deep'. The trio had taken time to pursue solo projects after the completion of their album 'Survivor'. The production of her album occurred as she appeared as Foxxy Cleopatra in 'Goldmember' (recording her debut single "Work It Out" for the soundtrack) and Lilly in 'The Fighting Temptations' and performing with Jay-Z on his "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" single. The sessions for 'Dangerously in Love' took place at Patchwerk Studios in Atlanta, Georgia; SugarHill Studios in Houston, Texas; South Beach Studios in Miami, Florida; Baseline Studios, SoHo Studios, & Sony Music Studios in New York, New York; and COE.BE.3 Studios in Stone Mountain, Georgia with production credited to Beyoncé Knowles, Rich Harrison, Scott Storch, Missy Elliott, Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart, Bryce Wilson, Focus..., Andreao "Fanatic" Heard", Sherrod Barnes, D-Roy, Mr. B, Nat Adderley, Jr., Errol "Poppi" McCalla, Jr., and Mark Batson.  Every song featured Beyoncé as lead vocalist, producer, executive producer, vocal producer, and songwriter; and the sessions included guest contributions from Big Boi, Makeda Davis, Missy Elliott, Guru, Cissy Houston, Jay-Z, Sean Paul, Sleepy Brown, and Luther Vandross. The inspiration for the album came from her blossoming relationship with Jay-Z. Knowles later explained: "I wanted to have an album that everyone could relate to and would listen to as long as I'm alive and even after ... Love is something that never goes out of style. It's something everybody experiences, and if they are not in love, people usually want to feel that."
The album was a blockbuster success, going to the top of the charts all over the world and making Knowles the first female artist (and fifth artist ever) to hit number one on the singles and albums charts in both the UK and the US simultaneously following The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Rod Stewart, and Men at Work. 'Dangerously in Love' garnished Knowles three MTV Video Music Awards for "Crazy in Love"; four Billboard Music Awards; and Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best R&B Song, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Crazy in Love", Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for "The Closer I Get to You" with Luther Vandross and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "Dangerously in Love 2". It has sold over eleven million copies worldwide. 


http://www.beyonce.com/