Why is it that we just decide to keep holdin' on
Why is it that we never seem to just have the strength to leave
But he's got to go, he's got to go" - Hey Ladies, Destiny's Child
"After all of the darkness and sadness,
Still comes happiness,
If I surround myself with positive things,I'll gain prosperity." -Survivor, Destiny's Child
"All the women who are independent
Throw your hands up at me
All the honeys who makin' money
Throw your hands up at me
All the mommas who profit dollas
Throw your hands up at meAll the ladies who truly feel me
Throw your hands up at me" -Independent Woman, Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child an all group R&B group active from 1997-2006 may seem like just an average pop sensation. However, I believe their music was more than that. Destiny's Child to me represented a modern day "Supremes". Their music was unique in the 3 part harmonies, Christian influences and in lyrics. When the band was active, there were not many black female artists that promoted positive messages about female empowerment. Other black artists of their time were, Lil Kim (highly sexualized, profane lyrics), TLC (many events happened outside of their musical life that were highly criticized), and Missy Elliot (also profane and had messages of drug and alcohol abuse). Other artists that were positively viewed such as Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, and Alicia Keyes often failed to gain as large of an audience and did not often promote messages of sisterhood, independence, strength and perseverance as Destiny's Child once did.
Destiny's Child also embraced the curvaceous female form. They wore clothing that was minimally revealing as compared to their musical peers but did present their natural selves in a positive, sexually liberating fashion, see below
Destiny's Child also united women in a sisterhood that many artists of their time did not. They boasted sisterhood and putting female friends before male partners. An example of this is the video below:
This song encouraged women (and men) to live lives outside of their romantic relationship. A very positive message for the adolescent women that listened to this music. Although their music may not be touted as intellectual, enlightening or artsy it marketed a message to young women and girls that they normally do not hear in the music industry.
Destiny's Child also paved the way for Beyonce to continue her legacy as a powerful black female artist. This band helped her break into the music industry and has led to more influential, positive, female empowering music.
Despite being very obviously about sex appeal, I think you make a strong case that these women, very feminine, are also possessed of a feminist approach to this particular genre of music. It's subtle, but it's definitely there. One wonders if the majority of consumers who bought their music felt this way or noticed this aspect of their music.
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