Ok, so who here thought they’d see the day of iconic
Destiny’s Child not making the top 25 of a girl band rate? I am still flabbergasted at this cut at #26! The most shocking thing about it too is that this position is actually one of the highest
No No No Part 2 got to during the voting period. At one point, you could have seen
Beyoncé & co. leaving around #40, which would have caused a massive forum meltdown, I am sure. Say what you will about this rate, but none have shocked me so much with its results - and I don’t just say this because I am the host; but so many twists are still yet to come before we crown a winner!
Facing facts and PopJustice preferences,
No No No Part 2 was always going to struggle compared with some more ‘signature’ numbers from
Destiny’s Child. I personally think it is a fantastic track and almost equal to my favourites by Destiny’s Child,
Soldier and
Jumping’ Jumpin’. Unfortunately, the more R&B flavoured cuts by the girls were rarely their most successful, (
Bootylicious being the main exception) as most of their worldwide big sellers such as
Say My Name &
Survivor have a more pop progression than the subtle, hypnotic beat they do so well on cuts like
Soldier or
No No No Part 2.
No No No Part 2 was certainly quite an interesting debut for the girls, it was successful but in no way does it really tell you from its performance that
Destiny’s Child would end up becoming the phenomenon they were!
No No No Part 2 reached the #3 spot in the US charts after a few months and a fairly slow build on the chart, and the #5 spot on the UK Chart, impressive but not too different than some of the singles performance from
SWV or
Xscape (in fact, even Wikipedia credits their follow-up album as their true breakthrough, despite No No No's good performance). However the progress they made from there to what a zeitgeist act they now are is mind blowing.
From watching the music video here, your can already see the undeniable star quality of
Beyoncé and
Kelly (the only two members to be in the band the whole time and both teenagers at the time!) compared to
LeToya and
LaTavia though since the latter two claim preferential treatment was given to the former two, this could be the reason also. Now, as this all suggests,
Destiny’s Child did not become the powerhouse it is (I use the present tense as although they are currently ‘inactive’, there is still a very current quality about them) overnight – so let’s go on a discovery abridged!
Destiny’s Child started out as
Girl’s Tyme in 1990, with about 6 members, and that formation garnered the attention of R&B producer
Arne Frager. He brought them to his studio and gave focus to
Beyoncé’s vocals as he was taken by her personality and ability to sing. His strategy was to debut the group on
Star Search (the
Idol/X Factor/Got Talent of the 90s) which he was sure they would win and make great use of that platform, but fate had other plans. Their loss caused
Mathew Knowles (Beyoncé’s father) to manage the band full time with his first decision to cut the group to 4 members. With years of practice (both vocal and choreography – a boot camp of sorts), the band would eventually become opening acts for established groups like
Dru Hill &
SWV. Over the course of their career, the girls would change their name a few times before settling on
Destiny’s Child in 1996. They released
No No No Part 2 shortly after and the rest is history!
I will not divulge much more of the band’s history for now, until we get to part 2 of the rate but prepare yourself for lots of controversy over line-up changes, member replacements and public spats!
Destiny’s Child are not just icons of the modern era, they are extremely decorated - winning multiple Grammy Awards and recognised as one of the most successful trios of all time (this accolade is of course due to their most famous line-up of
Beyoncé Knowles,
Michelle Williams and
Kelly Rowland). These three are of course respectively represented here by
@berserkboi (your host and the Beyoncé),
@Mina and
@londonrain (my back-up hosts).
What did PopJustice have to see about of the most iconic bands here?
Zar-Unity (7)
is still on his 7 binge - Well produced, like the change with the acoustic guitar. Tech: 5 Taste: 2 = 7 points.
Kermit_The_Frog (8)
is like the Angel of this rate from the episode ‘I Will Remember You’ (watch it, it is heartbreaking stuff!) - A forgotten (by many) gem. Can I be slightly controversial here? I kind of hate Survivor and it irritates me that it’s classed as a “signature song” when this is right there… Part 1 is a bit of a yawn-fest, obviously… Further Listening: Hey Ladies
Riiiiiiiii (8.7)
feels like Judas but he is really more like a playfully shady Blanche Devereaux - Shame this is their breakthrough single because ugh, the production and Wyclef Jean are so cheap. The 8,7 is because it’s Destiny’s Child and it’s already crazy that i ranked them under Tatu: “Beyoncé? Beyoncé, sweetie. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry that a ugly ass bitch like this would even do that, oh my god.”
ComeOnGloria (8)
is not here for a jam session over a hip hop beat it seems - Can't fault the harmonies but wanted moe of a melody. I wasn't really on board until Bills, Bills, Bills.
Saviodxl (5.9)
is shady for the sake of it (as if being En Vogue is a bad thing…) - They were too 'En Vogue new generation' when this song was released. Didn't have the Destiny's Child distinctive sound yet.
Filippa (4)
the rate villain returns, dum dum dum! -Never was a fan of Destiny’s Child. This song is no exception.
Untouchable Ace (6.9)
makes a splash with this one - I do prefer part 1 but the girls sound great!
Trouble In Paradise (7)
seems to also prefer the poppier stuff they do, it seems we are alone in liking the more R&B sound, #SprockyRain - I really want to give this song a higher score cause I LOVE Destiny’s Child but this really isn’t close to their best song.
Empty Shoebox (4)
does not like any of the core ingredients in his pumpkin soup! - There's too many 'no's here, as well as too many 'yeah's and too much wyclef.
Sprockrooster (10)
does a lyric revamp (I like!) - Does this song age? No No No! Is that middle-8 an absolute thrill every single play? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Baby Clyde (7)
plays what ifs and I must say, this one could be an interesting twist! - (Haven't heard this in forever and it's a bit drab isn't it. There is also absolutely nothing here that suggests Beyonce is in any way more special than the other 3. Imagine if LeToya's dad had been in charge???)
DominoDancing (7)
shares the same thoughts I did! - It's a fine song, and Beyonce's style of singing is already clearly recognizable. Would I have guessed that they'd become the powerhouse they became just from hearing this song...no.
Iheartpoptarts (8.5)
shades one output to lift the other - You know what? Give me this over Lemonade any day of the week.
Unnameable (7)
ends us pleasantly – still enjoyable -