Will We Survive Destiny's Child?
I refuse to review Destiny's Child new CD. #1 I hear them enough on the radio to know that I could not sit through an entire CD and #2 their music is not R&B, thus inappropriate for this page. However - since they are my favorite "love to hate 'em" group," I thought it might be therapeutic to reflect on them in general. Perhaps it will then eliminate my need to crack on them in the R&B Today articles.
While the 60's gave us The Supremes, the ultimate girls group gone wrong, Diana Ross' narcissistic, microphone hogging, stage stealing Diva persona has yet to be recreated by today's glutted market of diva wannabees. Beyonce Knowles and the story of Destiny's Child may be working its way to that point. Though I must admit, despite the very public cat fight that has been Destiny's Child over the last two years - I don't see Beyonce grabbing the mic from any of her girls just yet.
Here's why:
First there is the talent factor. While Kelly seems to have a nice, albeit rarely used lead voice - Beyonce has not shown me that she has the range or talent to make it on her own. Nearly all of her vocals are of the "talk/sing" variety.
Second is the diversity factor, or lack thereof. Destiny's Child makes one type of music - dance/pop. Some label them as R&B - please! The reality is factor #1 has led to factor #2 and both will limit the group's quest for longevity.
Beyonce is a good entertainer, meaning she can put on a good show, which is important. But going solo would only highlight the fact that she's a pop phenom, no more talented than Brittney Spears. Turn down the music, take away the glitz and chaos of a stage show and what do you got?
Apparently she wrote many of the current CD's songs, so maybe there is a second career in that. But really, how much writing talent does it take to write a song putting down former members of the group?
And poor Michelle - the newest third member of the group - just seems to be desperately clinging to her new career as Beyonce's backup. In a recent episode of an MTV special - the career of DC was chronicled. Michelle was silent through 99% of the rockumentary since she was a new member.
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