Beyoncé
USA, 1997–now
American singer and performer who began in Destiny's Child before a solo career. Her self-titled 2013 album and Lemonade (2016) were released as full-length visual albums and were widely noted for their scope and commercial impact.
MusicRoots documents 5 artists who influenced Beyoncé and 0 artists Beyoncé influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced Beyoncé?
- Michael Jackson — Michael Jackson is Beyoncé's declared greatest influence — she saw him live at age five, the concert that made her realise her purpose as a performer.
- Tina Turner — Tina Turner's fire, freedom and stage force were a major inspiration — the model of strength-with-femininity Beyoncé built her performance on.
- Diana Ross — Diana Ross was Beyoncé's model of the all-around entertainer — the Motown glamour and crossover polish behind her star presentation.
- Whitney Houston — Whitney Houston inspired Beyoncé to pursue singing — the gospel-powered pop-soul voice she measured herself against.
- Prince — Prince's genre-fusing showmanship and control of his own artistry were a model for Beyoncé's later auteur turn.