DESTINY'S CHILD
written by Chauncy Jackson

Though things seemed to be back on track, they didn’t remain that way for long. After only five months with the group, Farrah Franklin left, leaving three members. That lineup ­ Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams ­ scored an enormous hit when "Independent Women, Pt. 1," the theme song to the film Charlie’s Angels stormed the charts. While legal issues swirled around the band, the women of Destiny’s Child continued to rack up the hits. At the same time, they also released solo efforts. (Rowland’s “Angel” appeared on the soundtrack to the Chris Rock film Down to Earth.)

But it was the group that continued to be the primary focus. “Survivor” hit the airwaves in Spring 2001 and was an enormous hit, as was the follow-up single “Bootylicious.” Survivor sold more than four million copies and that marked the end of Destiny’s Child’s releases of new material for the time being. (They released a Christmas album in late 2001 and a remix album in 2002.)

It was then time for the women to go their separate ways. They released solo albums approximately 18 months apart (so as not to cannibalize each other’s work) and though they had enormous success (especially Knowles), it was time for the group to return.