Born September 4, 1981, to Mathew Knowles and Tina Beyince in Texas, Beyonce was named in tribute to her mother's maiden name. A performer from the age of seven -- the church choir and dance classes -- she was an absolute natural.
Mathew, her father took on managerial roles as Beyonce went professional, and constructed a stage in their backyard.
Beyonce was a well-behaved, very likeable girl. And, going by her accounts, immensely shy. A rendition of Imagine for a school talent contest changed all that immediately. "When I had an audience, it was different," Beyonce said in an interview to Blender magazine, "The shyness was gone completely."
Text: Raja Sen
Also read: Musicians who rocked India!
Advertisement
