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The Beyoncé Effect - How she had artists switching it up from her debut era:
This thread will focus on the influence and impact Beyoncé had on R&B from her debut era and how she shifted the music, look, videos, performances,etc.
Beyoncé debuted in 2003 as a solo artist with the release of “Crazy In Love” and came out the gate SWINGING! She wasn’t your typical R&B singer, she was different. She made it VERY clear she was gonna separate herself from her group and everyone else who was out.
When Beyoncé debuted, the R&B female game was pretty packed compared to today. You had Mya, Monica, Brandy, Kelis, Ashanti,etc. pretty much all co-existing...
But let’s just say...Beyoncé presence was FELT compared to her peers. She had the song of the summer and was crowned the “It Girl” of 2003.
As we all know the media tried to cause a feud with Bey and Ashanti. Despite Ashanti having a R&B and Hip-Hop background and Beyoncé being R&B with a mixture of Pop. Both pretty different from each other...Bey more glamour and sexy performing and Ashanti more...
So this is Ashanti performing at the BET Awards 03, the same night Beyoncé made her debut award show performance: let’s compare!
and Beyoncé’s award show debut performance at the BET awards 03
These were the performances that many claimed was the “end of an era” of Ashanti...
Fast forward to 2004, Ashanti attempts to start testing out a different style...more of a “Crazy In Love/Naughty Girl” vibe in her videos...
Ashanti tries to have her “Crazy In Love” moment with her song “Only U” even starts...dancing and wearing Beyoncé-type costumes
Next, Christina Milian
Christina Milian was very underrated for her time tbh. Very talented and beautiful but pretty clean cut. She sang and danced a bit.
Christina attempted to have her “Crazy In Love” moment. With “Whatever You Want” (a whole leaner) with Joe Budden. You can see the Beyoncé influence pretty much all through out the video even a little formation with the girl dancers.
In her performances she attempted but yea...
Next Brandy...
We all know Brandy as one of the leading R&B singers of the 90s, she had her own show, had hits,etc. But in 2004, she had a more sexy image for her “Afrodisiac”era:
With the help of Beyoncé’s choreographers Frank Gatson and LaVelle Smith, Brandy attempts to show her sensual new vibe in her performances as well
Brandy’s 2004 Vibe interview: “I just want to be sexy, but tasteful at the same time. Beyoncé is sexy, but she’s tasteful.” This exchange between Brandy and Frank is jgdjgddgj
Next, Kelis
Kelis was definitely the most unique during her break out in 1999. R&B with some punk influence. Really edgy and punky.
In 2003, Kelis left her punky r&b sound for a bit for something more commercial and seductive. She releases “Milkshake”. From grinding to Nas looking like a poor man’s Jay Z I...a whole classic tho
Kelis performances are now less punky and more girly...
Critics also saw the influence of Bey, Pitchfork reviewer states “it’s possibly the low-point of what is often a transparent Beyoncé-aping full-length (starting with the cover art, which bares a striking resemblance to that of the CIL cover art)”. on Kelis’s album “Tasty”
Since y’all been waiting for this one. Next...Amerie
Amerie a newcomer of the 2000s R&B, we all remember those 2002 summers often with her music. Also, a label mate with Beyoncé at Columbia Records
Amerie performing style and music was pretty mellow. Her performance in 2002
Amerie goes on a hiatus to act and work on music. She returns in 2005 with a new face, New attitude, new image, more sexy...with a very familiar sound. You can spot the Crazy In Love, Work It Out and Naughty Girl influence in the video and song
Amerie is now a DANCER and doing full out choreography...
Amerie’s “Touch” video with a bit of Beyoncé’s Baby Boy choreography. She’s now in her transformation now that 1 Thing is a hit...
Idk what Columbia Records trying to do by making Amerie all of a sudden be a “performer” but it was obvious they were trying to recreate another Beyoncé like...
Critics caught wind of the influence Bey had on Amerie’s new sound and some even started calling her a “mini-Beyoncé.”
Amerie with a B’Day anthology video tribute for “Gotta Work”. The influence Bey has!
Next, Teairra Marí
In 2005, Teairra Marí debuted under Roc-Fella-Records along with Rihanna. She was young, pretty and marketable. So of course, everyone attempted to turn her into the “newer generation Beyoncé”
Next, Rihanna
sfhsfhfjdgdjg y’all it’s not gonna be any kind of stan type stuff trust me!
In 2005, along with Teairra Marí Rihanna debuted. She was a young girl from Barbados. Beautiful and a unique voice. She was also marketed as the “Caribbean Beyoncé” at the time of her debut.
Def Jam would often use promotional stickers on Rihanna’s album “A Girl Like Me” used for singles as bait from an article from 2005 by The Guardian to create a buzz “Move Over Beyoncé”
Critics and the label promoted Rihanna as “the Bajan Beyoncé” https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/music/2005/nov/25/popandrock2
From the costumes to the dances to the poses
Despite her new edgy switch up in 2007, Rihanna still had Beyoncé’s influence in some of her songs like “Hate That I Love You” and “Take A Bow”. Very “Irreplaceable”.
Def Jam was still putting the “Move Over Beyoncé” quote on the promotional stickers despite Rihanna being in a complete different direction...
Since y’all are enjoying Beyoncé’s debut BET Awards performance here’s her talking about coming up with the design and wanting a “I’m Here!” moment. A genius at 21. A innovator! A game changer!
Next...RichGirl
The group that got away...Many of y’all probably don’t know who RichGirl was but they were a girl group that came out in 2009. Very beautiful and talented girls and I’m sure y’all recognize one of them...
Their debut “He Ain’t Wit Me Now (Tho)” is a very Beyinspired from the vocal arrangements to the video. They even opened up for Beyoncé on US leg of the “I Am Tour”. Wish they would’ve stayed together
Sadly, the girls disbanded before they even released an album. They truly could’ve been great as a group. Next, Nicole Scherzinger...
Nicole Scherzinger, as we all know from mid-2000s pop girl group The Pussycat Dolls. Critics and people often called her the “Beyoncé” of the group. She often sang lead, had great stage presence,the most favorable,etc.
In 2007 (only 2 years with the group), Nicole attempts to go “Beyoncé”. With a Ring The Alarm inspired video. She unfortunately falls flat and her attempt to go solo is literally unmoved by everyone. A bop tho
As the label attempted to let Nicole catch on as the “Beyoncé” Of PCD she was a bit awkward as a solo performer tbh.
and that’s the thread y’all! I hope y’all enjoyed. Let’s end this with a few debut performances of the originator, innovator, the woman who is STILL on it 21 years later! The Legend! Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter. Everybody say Thank You Beyoncé! :
Debutyoncé in her fckn BAG. A dance break!
Beyoncé has also addressed the “competition” and how every female artist should be embraced as well as addressing the criticism of why everyone said she shouldn’t go back to Destiny’s Child in 2003:
