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Kelly Rowland (born Kelendria Trene Rowland on February 11, 1981 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, actress, and one of the founding members of the successful musical group Destiny's Child. Rowland has won four Grammy Awards – three with Destiny's Child and one as a solo artist.

Early life

During her formative years, Rowland was raised primarily by her mother Doris Garrison in Houston. However, the work commitments of her mother's job as a live-in nanny led to a mutual decision between Rowland, her mother, and the family of fellow group member Beyoncé Knowles that Rowland should live with the Knowles family because it was difficult for Rowland's mother to travel with Rowland back and forth for rehearsals after she joined Destiny's Child. However, Rowland's mother often visited her and the Knowles'. In the May 2006 issue of Essence magazine, Rowland is pictured with her biological mother Doris Garrison and her foster mother Tina Knowles accompanying the article entitled "Mothers Love." Rowland wrote an open letter to both Doris Garrison and Tina Knowles, which is published in the article, expressing her love towards both of her "two mothers" for raising her and supporting her career.

Rowland lived with the family of fellow group member Beyoncé Knowles starting at age 11 and was mistakenly (and helped by the media) referred to as her cousin. Rowland first met LaTavia Roberson in elementary school who eventually introduced her to Beyoncé. The girls met Letoya Luckett and formed a quartet that would perform in their backyards and in Tina Knowles' beauty shop. After performing at local events, they got their break when they entered Star Search. The group, then named Girls Tyme, were heartbroken when they lost the competition. Mathew Knowles, Beyoncé's father and Rowland's legal guardian, decided to help the girls reach their dreams of becoming singers. He quit his six-figure salary at Xerox to manage the group. In the summer 2006 issue of VIBE Vixen magazine, Rowland blasts rumours that Beyoncé's father also is her biological father as "a lie from the pit of hell." Rowland confesses that her "parents' situation was so terrible, I don't know where I would be if my real father was still in my life," and she explains that her real father "hasn't tried to find me and I have not tried to find him."http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12691158 She attended Lamar High School, in Houston, Texas.

Destiny's Child

Destiny's Child was originally signed by Elektra Records in 1995, but were dropped before they could release their debut album. The quartet was signed to Columbia Records the following year, and their career took off. Destiny's Child rose to fame in 1998 with the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, "No, No, No Part 2."

Even after much publicized turmoil involving group members, Destiny's Child (eventually a trio consisting of original members Rowland and Knowles, with Michelle Williams), managed to become one of the most successful R&B/pop acts in the late '90s/early '00s, earning four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, several top 10's, and two Billboard 200 number-one albums. The group also earned number-ones on various other Billboard and non-Billboard charts.

Rowland and Destiny's Child toured as an opening act for both Christina Aguilera and TLC after their 1998's Platinum-selling self-titled debut album Destiny's Child was released. Their debut album was produced by Wyclef Jean and Jermaine Dupri and featured the Platinum-selling single "No, No, No Part 2." Destiny Child's second album, The Writing's on the Wall, released in 1999, featured two number-one hits: "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name." "Bug a Boo" and "Jumpin' Jumpin'" were also popular singles from the album. "Say My Name" won two awards at the 2001 Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals" and "Best R&B Song" – the latter of which was awarded to the songwriters, which included Rowland.

Their next album, Survivor, proved to be another smash, going to number one on both the U.S. Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, as well as the Canadian albums chart. Two singles from the album went to the top of the Hot 100: "Independent Women Part I" and "Bootylicious," with the album's title track reaching number two. "Independent Women Part I" had been the theme song for Charlie's Angels in late 2000, before the album's 2001 release. The title track "Survivor" would win the group their third Grammy for "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals." The album's fourth single, "Emotion," was a cover of the Bee Gees' hit of the same name; it continued the group's impressive string of top 10 hits.

After the three year hiatus that involved concentration on individual solo projects, Rowland rejoined Beyoncé Knowles and Michelle Williams for Destiny's Child's fourth (and final) studio album, Destiny Fulfilled, released November 2004. The album hit number two on the Billboard 200 and spawned the hits "Lose My Breath," "Soldier," "Girl," and "Cater 2 U." The album's title itself was a hint that Destiny Fulfilled may in fact be the last Destiny's Child album and indeed that was to be the case.

Rowland and the other two-thirds of Destiny's Child embarked on a world tour sponsored by McDonald's titled Destiny Fulfilled and Lovin' It, in 2005, visiting over 70 cities throughout Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America from April to September. Shortly before the end of the European leg of the tour, at a concert in Barcelona, Spain on June 13 2005, Kelly announced that the group was to go their separate ways the following September.

In October 2005, the group released their final album, entitled #1's, including all of Destiny's Child's number-one hits and most well-known songs. The collection also included three new tracks, one of which is the final single "Stand Up for Love." It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart and number six on the UK Top 75 Singles.

At the 2005 World Music Awards, Destiny's Child were given the award for the biggest-selling girl group of all time with record sales of over 50 million.

Solo Career

Simply Deep

Rowland released her first solo album, Simply Deep in October 2002 domestically and in February 2003 internationally. The album featured the number-one hit "Dilemma," a Grammy-winning ("Best Rap/Sung Collaboration" in 2003) duet with hip-hop superstar Nelly, Dilemma eventually spent ten weeks at number one in the U.S. The debut album did achieve moderate success. With "Dilemma," Rowland became the first member of Destiny's Child to hit number one outside of the group. Internationally, Rowland was on a roll, hitting the number one slot on the UK, where her album was certified Platinum, and in several other countries' album charts went Gold in Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and in the U.S. peaking at number three on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number twelve on the Billboard 200. Simply Deep was certified Gold in the U.S. The album has sold over 500,000 copies in the United States and 2 million worldwide.http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/motorsports/15189807.htm

In 2005, Rowland featured on the album Illumination by soul greats Earth, Wind & Fire. Rowland's singing can be heard on their song "This Is How I Feel" which also features singer Sleepy Brown. She was also heard on rapper Trina's song called "Here We Go," which impacted radio in September 2005 and peaked at numbers eight and seventeen on Billboard R&B and pop charts respectively.

Ms. Kelly

Rowland has been working on her sophomore solo album on and off since 2005. Originally entitled My Story: Kelly Rowland, but has been changed to Ms. Kelly. The album is expected to be released in spring 2007. Rowland performed a world premiere performance of the album's first promo single "Gotsta Go" on the 2006 MTV Asia Awards (which she also hosted) which was available to over 400 million households via 43 channels as well as through syndication worldwide and took place at Siam Paragon in Bangkok on May 6.See:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ldYIdoQzJQ&search=kelly%20rowland
• 
• http://www.mtvasia.com/News/200605/04013369.html Rowland also performed her new single at MTV Japan Music Awards held on May 27.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV0k8jo6-nQ&search=kelly%20rowland

Film and television

Rowland branched into acting with her roles in the 2003 summer blockbuster Freddy vs. Jason and in the 2004 independent film The Seat Filler released on DVD and VHS on February 21, 2006.http://www.rnbdirt.com/article9895.html She has also appeared on UPN sitcoms, The Hughleys and Eve. Rowland also has a three-episode role in another UPN sitcom, Girlfriends, starting on February 20 2006. On the show she plays the character of Tammy Hamilton, an ambitious 21 year old who convinces real estate queen Toni Childs (played by actress Jill Marie Jones) to take her on as an intern.See:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlomJl4HQ3U&search=kelly%20rowland
• Rowland has also made television appearances on American Dreams and Born to Diva in 2003, Nick Cannon's MTV series Wild n Out in 2006 and has guest hosted on daytime talk show The View.

Film

• Freddy vs Jason (2003) (Total USD: $82 Million)
• The Seat Filler (2004) (DVD release)

TV

• The Hughleys (Final 2 seasons)
• Eve
• American Dreams
• Born to Diva
• Girlfriends (3 episodes)
• Wild 'n' Out
• The View

Voice

Kelly Rowland can be classified as a Spinto Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano, whose voice possesses contralto range. It has been estimated that she has a three-octave range. She is also capable of employing high and fast melismas.

In Destiny's Child's earlier career, Rowland usually sang as the second lead vocals with alto harmony lines while Knowles sings the lead vocals. Examples of this occur during the verses and even the bridge of the groups' first single "No, No, No".

• Highest Note Reached Live: C6 - During a live performance of "Emotions", Survivor Tour DVDhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eowbcwYQPqM

Philantrophy

• Rowland along with other recording artists such as P!nk, Avril Lavigne, Eve, Bow Wow, ex-Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro join actresses Brittany Murphy, Charlize Theron, Rosario Dawson and Eva Mendes in ads for "empowerment tag" for the ALDO Fights AIDS campaign.http://www.youthaids-aldo.org The tags, worn as necklaces or bracelets, go on sale at ALDO stores March 1st and benefit the YouthAIDS initiative.

• Songwriting legend David Foster, his daughter Amy Foster-Gillies wrote Destiny's Child's last single "Stand Up for Love" for World Children's Day, an event which takes place annually around the world on November 20 to raise awareness and funds for children's causes worldwide. Destiny's Child lent their voices and support as global ambassadors for the 2005 World Children's Day program.

• Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé Knowles, along with Mathew Knowles, Tina Knowles and Solange Knowles-Smith recently announced the formation of the Survivor Foundation, a charitable entity set up for the purpose of providing transitional housing for Hurricane Katrina victims and storm evacuees in the Houston, Texas area. The Survivor Foundation extends the philanthropic mission of the "Knowles-Rowland Center For Youth", a multi-purpose community outreach facility in downtown Houston.http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2005-09/artikel-5353786.asp

• Rowland has participated in another charity action. The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to resorting instrumental music education in America's public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as a part of each child's complete education.http://www.vh1.com/partners/save_the_music/buy-the-bag.html

Solo discography

Besides her discography during her solo performing years, Kelly Rowland also has singles and albums released with Destiny's Child. For her discography and her music video information with the group, see Destiny's Child Discography.

Albums

Singles

Guest vocals

Album appearances

• 1999: "Separated (Remix)" (Avant featuring Kelly Rowland; from My Thoughts)
• 2003: "Oh Why" (with Dirtbag; Unreleased)
• 2005: "This Is How I Feel" (Earth, Wind & Fire featuring Big Boi, Kelly Rowland and Sleepy Brown; from Illumination)
• 2005: "Here We Go" (Trina featuring Kelly Rowland; from Glamorest Life)
• 2006: "H'bibi I Love You" (with Amine; from Raï'N'B Fever 2)
• 2006: "You Will Win" (from Spirit Rising Vols. 1 & 2 Compilation CD)

Soundtrack appearances

• 2000: "Have Your Way" (with Beyoncé Knowles) (His Woman His Wife)
• 2001: "Angel" (Down To Earth)
• 2004: "I'm Beginning to See the Light" (Mona Lisa Smile)

Trivia

• Kelly dated and was engaged to Roy Williams of the Dallas Cowboys. The wedding is now off as it was publicly stated that they felt they were too young to be married. Both remain good friends to this day.
• LeToya was the second oldest of Destiny child until she left, and Michelle Williams joined. At that point Kelly took her place as the second oldest member.
• Kelly hosted the MTV Asia Awards with Taiwanese pop singer Lee-Hom Wang on May 6, 2006.
• Was hand-picked over bandmate Beyonce Knowles by rapper Nelly to appear on a song together.
• Is wrongfully quoted as singer-actor Beyonce Knowles's cousin. The Knowles family took her in, and cared for her from a very young age.
• In the earlier Destiny's Child days, Kelly was the only girl with short hair, often tinged with purple then red dye, but today sports longer locks.

Solo tours

• 2003: Simply Deep European Tourhttp://www.kelly-rowland.net/tour

See also

• List of best-selling music artists
• List of number-one hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart

References

External links

• Official website
• Official fanclub
• Kelendria Fans

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