If you’re reading this on Feb. 11, it’s Kelly Rowland’s birthday! Born Kelendria Trene Rowland on this day in 1981, this multi-talented singer and actress has proven herself more than just one of Beyoncé’s bandmates – she’s a creative force to be reckoned with in her own right.
Of course, Rowland first appeared on most listeners’ radar as a member of Destiny’s Child, the R&B/pop juggernaut that also introduced Beyoncé and Michelle Williams to the world. Their run of hits from 1999 to 2006 is well documented and much enjoyed, including the noise-bringing, martial-drumming “Lose My Breath.”
Read More: November 2000: Destiny's Child Scores Heavenly Hit with "Independent Women Part 1"
During a hiatus in the DC world, Rowland recorded her solo debut, Simply Deep, which featured her No. 1 hit single with Nelly, “Dilemma.” More hits followed, including “Stole” and “Can’t Nobody,” and the album earned Rowland a gold record all her own.
Acting roles followed, most notably in the 2003 slasher film Freddy vs. Jason and the comedy The Seat Filler in 2005. Destiny’s Child’s disbandment in 2006 sent Rowland back to the studio for 2007’s Ms. Kelly, and subsequent albums Here I Am (2011) and Talk a Good Game (2013), each of which became Top 10 hits. Ms. Kelly featured the single “Like This,” with Eve, which was released in 2007 and certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2020.
Rowland continues to appear on television, most recently on the reality series Chasing Destiny and as a coach on The Voice Australia since 2017.
