6 People Who Went To Bat For Beyonce Before She Was Queen Bey
We all have to start from somewhere, and for most of us that's at the bottom. Believe it or not, even Beyoncé is no exception to this rule. As effortless as all her success and splendor may seem, Bey's road to superstardom was filled with potholes, unexpected turns, and some roadside assistance.
Let's take a look at some of the folks who aided the Queen in her ascension to the top. Hey, everyone needs a helping hand when it comes to achieving success.
Wyclef Jean
There were few music acts bigger than The Fugees back in 1997, so when Wyclef hooked up the remix of "No, No, No Part 2" for an unknown girl group from Houston, it helped shine some much needed light on Destiny's Child. The single was certified platinum and peaked at #1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Daryl L. Simmons
Daryl L. Simmons' musical track record is formidable. Not only did he help create LaFace, one of the most successful record labels of the '90s, but he also produced music for powerhouses like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. Simmons signed Destiny's Child to his Silent Partner Productions, who later helped secure the group's first major label deal with Elektra Records.
D’Wayne Wiggins
Most may remember Wiggins as one of the founding members of the influential R&B group, Tony! Toni! Toné!, but behind the scenes his Grass Roots Entertainment has helped develop acts like Alicia Keys, Keyshia Cole and Destiny's Child. Beyonce was just 14 when the group moved to Oakland to work with Wiggins, and judging by this video they worked hard. Wiggins would continue to work with DC well into the early '00s— producing and writing on albums Destiny's Child, The Writing's on the Wall, and Survivor.
Case
Beyoncé wasn't a household name in 1999 when she was cast as the leading lady in Case's "Happily Ever After" video. In a recent interview with Vibe, Case revealed that the two were supposed to lock lips in the video, but Daddy Knowles wasn't having it since Bey was only 17 at the time.
John Lyons
Bey switched gears from the stage to small screen in 2001 with her acting debut in the "hip-hopera," Carmen. Her performance in the television movie caught the eye of Hollywood film producer John Lyons, who targeted the rising star for the role of Foxxy Cleopatra in 2002's Austin Powers: Goldmember.
Arne Frager
We're sure most of you have heard about the time Girl's Tyme's (aka Destiny's Child) crushing loss on Star Search back in the day. Well, meet the man who made that appearance happen. Arne Frager (pictured here with Carlos Santana) was a record producer who took a liking to Beyonce and Co., and personally flew to Houston to meet the talented group. He set the girls up at his Plant Recording Studios in California, and got them their first national look with an appearance on Star Search. The loss served as a turning point, resulting in the group being trimmed down to four members, and Matthew Knowles taking a larger role in their direction.
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