Marvin's Room with Amanda Parris on CBC Radio
This weekend marks the 20 year anniversary of the self-titled debut album by one of the most successful R&B girl groups of all time: Destiny’s Child. They emerged on the music scene as a quartet: Beyonce, Kelly, Latavia and Latoya. They would retire the group six years later as a trio: Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle. In the years between they fired two members, hired two more, survived the exit of one more — and became pop superstars.
Before all of that, though, they were just a group of teen girls trying to stand out in the midst of R&B girl-group fever. Immediate fame and success were not found with their first album, but that release marked the world's introduction to a soon-to-be-legendary girl group. Destiny's Child was also the first time we heard the voice of a young singer named Beyoncé who would go on to dominate the entire music and pop-culture industry.
This week on Marvin's Room we look back at some of the best songs from Destiny's Child debut album.
'No, No, No, Pt. 1'
A smoky lounge, an impromptu performance at an open mic, an inexplicable outfit change, a guy wiping the sweat from his brow, cameos from Immature: this video was a checklist for all the markers of '90s R&B. It's a smooth and sultry song that often gets forgotten in the glory of its part 2 remix.
'No, No, No Pt. 2' feat. Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean heard part 1 of this song, came up with a hip-hop beat and helped Destiny's Child create the part 2 version that became the band's top 10 debut single.
'With Me'
Few fans will remember this Jermaine Dupri-produced single, but it perfectly captures the sound of the moment and asserted Destiny's Child as a worthy (if not yet distinct) contender in the competitive landscape of R&B girl groups.
'Bridges'
This song didn't get released as a single but it demonstrated the harmonizing potential of the four members. Its sample of Al Green's song "Simply Beautiful" makes it one of the smoothest grooves in the Destiny's Child catalogue.
Marvin's Room Playlist for Feb. 16, 2018
- James Brown, “Get Up Offa That Thing”
- Janelle Monae feat. Big Boi, “Tightrope”
- Dornik, “God Knows”
- ALLIE feat. Charlotte Day Wilson, “Take Me There”
- Janet Jackson, “Together Again”
- Abakos feat. Kae Sun and Moonshine, “Morning Glory”
- Destiny’s Child, “No No No Part 1”
- Birthday Boy & Trish, “Chance to go far”
- Mariah Carey, “We Belong Together”
- New Edition, “I’m Still in Love with You”
- Yuri Koller, “Came For”
- Ryland James, “Good to You” (3:09)