life of beyonce | Page 7

won the Pop Songwriter of the Year award at the 2001 American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Pop Music Awards, becoming the first African-American female and second female songwriter of all time to accomplish the feat.[15][124] Knowles received three songwriting credits in a single year for co-writing "Irreplaceable", "Grillz" and "Check on It", the only woman to achieve since Carole King in 1971 and Mariah Carey in 1991. In terms of credits, she is tied with Diane Warren at third with nine number-one singles.[126]

Knowles possesses a mezzo-soprano[127] vocal range that spans more than three octaves. She has often been identified as the centerpiece of Destiny's Child.[128] Jon Pareles of The New York Times commented that she has the voice that defines the group, writing that her voice is "velvety yet tart, with an insistent flutter and reserves of soul belting".[129] Other critics praise her range and power. In reviewing her second album B'Day, Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly wrote "Beyonc� Knowles is a storm system disguised as a singer. On her second solo album, B'Day, the songs arrive in huge gusts of rhythm and emotion, with Beyonc�'s voice rippling over clattery beats; you'd have to search far and wide perhaps in the halls of the Metropolitan Opera  to find a vocalist who sings with more sheer force...No one not R. Kelly, not Usher, to say nothing of her rival pop divas can match Beyonc�'s genius for dragging her vocal lines against a hip-hop beat."[130] Chris Richards of The Washington Post wrote, "Even when she's coasting, she soars above her imitators. It's all in her voice a superhuman instrument capable of punctuating any beat with goose-bump-inducing whispers or full-bore diva-roars. Smitten, scorned, amorous, antagonistic Beyonc� sings from all of these vantage points with undeniable virtuosity."[131] Cove magazine ranked Knowles seventh on their list of "The 100 Outstanding Pop Vocalists", giving her 48 out of 50 points based on several criteria ranging from her vocal ability to range to harmony.[132][133]

Knowles has often been criticized for oversinging. A prominent employer of melisma, she earns frequent comparison to such artists as Mariah Carey, whose vocal embellishments have been known to detract from the melody of their songs.[120] Editors from Eye Weekly wrote, "There s no question that Beyonc� is one of the best singers in pop, maybe one of the best alive...[However] as judicious as her singing can be, the effect in sum is still like being hit in the head with a fist in a velvet glove."[134]

Stage and alter ego

In 2006, Knowles introduced her all-female tour band Suga Mama, which includes bassists, drummers, guitarists, horn players, keyboardists and percussionists.[135] They made their d�but appearance at the 2006 BET Awards and re-appeared in the music videos for "Irreplaceable" and "Green Light".[122] The band has supported Knowles in live performances, including her 2007 concert tour, The Beyonc� Experience, and her 2009 I Am... Tour. Renee Michelle Harris of the South Florida Times wrote, Knowles "owns the stage with her trademark swagger and intensity... showcasing her powerful vocals without missing a note, often while engaged in vigorous, perfectly executed dance moves...no one, not Britney, not Ciara and not Rihanna can offer what she does a complete package of voice, moves and presence."[136] Babara Ellen of The Guardian wrote, "whether charismatic and soulful, or teasing and flirty, Beyonc� is, above all, in charge. Probably the most "in charge" of any female artist I've seen onstage".[137] In reviewing her I Am... Tour, Alice Jones of The Independent wrote, "Watching Beyonc� sing and strut her stuff can feel at best overawing, at worst, alienating. She takes her role as entertainer so seriously she's almost too good."[138] Tamara Hardingham-Gill of the Daily Mail wrote, "many industry experts have been tipping Beyonc� as the next Michael Jackson. While it s far too early for such comparisons, she certainly proved that she is one of the most exciting and talented performers around and may well go down in history as such".[139]



"Dangerously in Love" (live)



Knowles has received widespread praise for her live vocal performances.[120][121]

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Although Knowles has been criticized for lip-synching in some of her live performances,[140] reviewers have praised her live vocal performances. In reviewing one of her performances, Jim Farber of The Daily News wrote "Beyonc� showed off pipes of steely power. As the song's signature horn riff pumped away, she soared over the melody with athletic ease. The way Beyonc� used her body intensified the sense of triumph. With her hair teased into Medusa-like tresses, a pelvis in perpetual churn and legs long enough to make Tina Turner proud, Beyonc�'s presence punctuated her singing like an exclamation point."[141] Stephanie Classen of the Star Phoenix declares "Beyonc� is no ordinary performer... from note one, the 27-year-old powerhouse rose above all the gimmicks,