TGJ Replay: Destiny’s Child – ‘Destiny Fulfilled’

Published: Thursday 13th Nov 2014 by Rashad
thatgrapejuice-destiny fulfilled

Welcome, once again, to TGJ Replay.

Designed much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ features, ‘Replay’ is That Grape Juice‘s newest retrospective segment – a written quest, if you will, to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday.

Unlike its ‘Rewind’ and ‘Vault’ predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase entire albums (and eras) from a library of pop and Urban pop music hits.  As this week marks the 10th anniversary of the ultimate Destiny’s Child album ‘Destiny Fulfilled,’ we thought it only fitting to cater our latest foray down memory lane to one of the best-selling girl groups in history.

Get reacquainted with their final full length studio album below:

destiny's child solo albums - thatgrapejuice

 After selling over 20 million albums with just three titles under the moniker Destiny’s Child (as a revolving quartet and later a trio), Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams were enjoying the height of their success as their 2001 album ‘Survivor’ shone as one of the year’s top-sellers.

But, to the surprise of fans worldwide, instead of lending a follow-up to capitalize on its success, the trio opted to go on a hiatus and release solo projects.  As Michelle dominated Broadway stages and gospel charts with her two projects ‘Heart To Yours’ (2002) and ‘Do You Know’ (2004), Kelly traveled the alternative R&B route with her critically acclaimed 2002 set ‘Simply Deep.’  2003 saw Beyonce dominate pop and R&B airwaves with her commercially acclaimed album ‘Dangerously In Love,’ featuring two of the year’s top hits ‘Crazy In Love’ and ‘Baby Boy.’ 

As anticipation grew to see if Bey would suffer a sophomore slump, the songstress shocked fans again with news that she would be reuniting with her former Destiny’s Child bandmates to craft a new album.  With producers Swizz Beatz, Rodney Jerkins, and Rockwilder at the helm, the ladies would create their highly anticipated quarternary release…in just three weeks.  It would be christened ‘Destiny Fulfilled.’

thatgrapejuice-destiny fulfilled

Said to be based on a collection of conversations held between the girls, the album was designed to reflect the personal and artistic growth each Child experienced over their respective periods of solo performance.  The collaborative input would see, for the first time, all of the ladies contribute “equally” to every aspect of the songs from vocals to writing.

The first evidence of this growth was unveiled via the album’s lead single ‘Lose My Breath.’

With thunderous drums, slick horns, and an overdose of sass – the song, penned by Destiny’s Child, Rodney Jerkins, Jay Z, Sean Garrett, and Lashawn Daniels, came as a booming announcement that music’s top group had returned with a vengeance.  Its video, as noted by critics, was exact in its purpose of demonstrating that a new “Destiny’s Child” had arrived. Long gone were the days of tacky matching outfits with girlish design and in its place were three learned women whose destiny had led them full circle.

Whatever the message, it worked.  Anticipation of the song saw it debut in the top 30 of the Hot 100 before its physical release.  Shortly thereafter, the song skyrocketed to the #3 spot where it peaked.

Fans were barely able to catch their breaths by the time the tune’s follow-up, ‘Soldier,’ marched onto radio.  Thematically, like its predecessor, the tune showcased a transition from Destiny’s children – so to speak – to women very much in tune with their image and sexuality.  Tapping T.I. and Lil’ Wayne to play assistants on the track, the bass driven tune rode right to the top of R&B charts and peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 (just like ‘Breath’).

The warm reception of ‘Fulfilled’s two leading singles came as indication of what was to be expected of its own performance.  Taking the unconventional route of releasing an LP on a Monday, ‘Destiny’s Fulfilled’ would debut at #19.  An impressive feat given that the album’s first appearance on the Billboard 200 was only based on one day of sales.

By the end of a full tracking week, the set sold nearly 500,000 copies and would be hoisted to the #2 spot on charts (where it peaked).  Commercially, ‘Fulfilled’s showing on charts came as proof that the group, despite a brief hiatus, was as hot as ever.  Critically, on the other hand, the reception was lukewarm.  The trio would earn many-a-thumbs down from critics who felt deceived by the album’s up-tempo singles only to discover an album dressed in mid-tempos and ballads.

One of said mid-tempos would be ‘Girl’ –  the follow-up to the massively successful ‘Soldier.’  An ode to the ever-popular ‘Sex & the City,’ DC3 would put Kelly center stage and make her the focal point of a “sister intervention.”  Unbeknownst to listeners at the time, her own ‘Dirty Laundry’ would surface a decade later and confirm that the song’s content was not fictionalized.

Not exactly the runaway hit ‘Breath’ and ‘Soldier’ were, ‘Girl’ still sashayed to the #23 spot on the Hot 100 and would be a moderate hit for the girls.

By the time the album’s last single, ‘Cater 2 U,’ was unveiled, the album was moving toward double platinum status.  Much like many-a-tune aboard the slow jam CD, ‘Cater 2 U’ caressed topics of sex previously unexplored in Destiny’s Child albums.  Forward tunes like ‘T-Shirt’ and ‘Cater’ would prove that their journey into womanhood was more than a visual experience, but also boldly traipsed across the concepts that lined their songs as well.

Like ‘Girl,’ ‘Cater’ did not access the success of the album’s inaugural duo of singles.  But, a highly stylized, Jake Nava-directed video and unforgettable BET Awards performance helped hoist the tune to an impressive #14 peak on the Billboard Hot 100.


Shortly after, despite amassing an overall 5 Grammy nominations (over 2 years) for the album, the group went on the McDonald’s sponsored ‘Destiny Fulfilled & Lovin’ It’ tour where they announced a permanent disbandment.

‘Destiny Fulfilled’ has to be the breakup album of the century.  Before Taylor Swift and Adele topped charts and saturated radio with their tunes about love gone sour, DC3 tackled every topic of heartbreak aboard their final full length LP.  While we still bump jams like ‘If’ and ‘Soldier’ on the regular, we still can’t help but wonder what 2014’s ‘Destiny Fulfilled’ would look and sound like.  With Beyonce’s Urban pop-tinged offerings, Kelly’s dance driven numbers, and Michelle’s inspirational/gospel givings, the maturity of their voices and personas over the past decade has undoubtedly imparted to them a fierceness that this new class of R&B/pop starlets couldn’t even comprehend.

Alas, we can only dream and appreciate the album for what it was.  For, in our humble opinion, it was truly the album that showcased fully what each member of Destiny’s Child brought to the group. We still rock out to Michelle’s part on ‘Through With Love,’ but you should let us know:

What’s your favorite song from ‘Destiny Fulfilled’?

Your thoughts?

Comments 43

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  1. Mariah Is Music November 13, 2014

    One of they best indeed… The vocals and harmonies chile.

  2. SURPRISE……(DEC.13) November 13, 2014

    THIS WAS MY S***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS EVER. THEY SHOULD HAVE PRODUCED A BROADWAY SHOW BASED ON THIS.

  3. Mariah Is Music November 13, 2014

    Through With Love is still one of they best.

    • SURPRISE……(DEC.13) November 13, 2014

      YES IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THEY SANG THE CRAP OUT OF THAT TUNE.

    • TheElusiveLamb November 13, 2014

      Love your username! 🙂

  4. JOHNVIDAL November 13, 2014

    I won´t read the article cause I´m not into them, but I´m sure Sam manages to make it seem like it broke records and gave us iconic material LOL

    • SURPRISE……(DEC.13) November 13, 2014

      GO WORRY ABOUT FADGA AND OLDY BENNET ALBUM GOING PLATINUM IN THE US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! U ARE ALWAYS SO PRESSED, IF U DON’T LIKE WHAT EVER SAM SAYS THEN GET UR ANCIENT OLD ASS OFF THIS BLOG.

    • Sherry November 13, 2014

      It did give iconic material. Great music from start to finish.

      • JOHNVIDAL November 14, 2014

        LOLOL Iconic??? Do you even listen other genres of music? Or music released before 2000? Nothing about this album is iconic. Very few albums in the new century are to be honest, seeing how mainstream music has declined. Back to Black by Amy Winehouse is a true new classic and iconic material. Just to give an example.

    • Mark111 November 13, 2014

      Rashad wrote it and it’s a good read.

  5. Marley November 13, 2014

    My favorite album from them!. ‘Free’ and ‘If’ are still my two fave DC song. Beautiful harmonies.

  6. Xes November 13, 2014

    ThatBeyawncespussyJuice

  7. Naomi November 13, 2014

    Such a beautiful album full of quality R&B. I may just have to dig it out and have a listen.

  8. Sarah November 13, 2014

    “With Beyonce’s Urban pop-tinged offerings, Kelly’s dance driven numbers, and Michelle’s inspirational/gospel givings, the maturity of their voices and personas over the past decade has undoubtedly imparted to them a fierceness that this new class of R&B/pop starlets couldn’t even comprehend”

    This paragraph right sums it up completely!!!!

  9. Slay_Hive November 13, 2014

    OMG it’s been ten years. Time has really passed. I remember been young and so ready for the release of this album. It was actually the best DC album in terms of music quality. “If” will always be one of my favorite songs from this album. The release showed how much they all matured, and showed that no matter what, they were here for eachother. A DC3 Reunion album would be everything.

  10. Career Ender November 13, 2014

    their best album and one of my fav of all times
    .
    this is where Michelle was sanging!!
    .
    my fave tracks in order:

    1. T-Shirt
    2. Through With Love
    3. If
    4. Cater To U
    5. Game Over

  11. Beysus November 13, 2014

    DC – “Girl” 🙂

  12. DanYiel Teflon November 13, 2014

    I supported Destiny’s Child since being Gurls Tyme!! I continue to support all of their music I’m a True FRIEND ~>Fans Fall Off!! I’m here to STAY!!i Love Tenitra ~>Kelendria ~>Beyoncé!!

  13. BeautifulDisaster89 November 13, 2014

    I love “bad Habit” and “Love” those Kelly showed out on this album she seemed more confident IMO

  14. Sherry November 13, 2014

    Love love LOVE this album! DF is their best album to date. My favorite tracks are Girl, T-Shirt, Through With Love, Cater 2 u and If!!!

  15. X November 13, 2014

    Michelle has the best voice hands down.

    • Mark111 November 13, 2014

      She most def had the best parts on this album.

  16. TheElusiveLamb November 13, 2014

    That Girl video brought back too many memories. I used to walk with my middle school best friends down the hallway to that song.Soldier will forever be my jam, even though I personally don’t want a real thug. (LOL) Sam just made me feel SUPER old, and I’m not even 22 until December.

  17. trose November 13, 2014

    Rashad your writing is EVERYTHING!!!! So spot on and we’ll put.

  18. Yea ok November 13, 2014

    I love DC but this post immediately made me think of that mad tv sketch where she was singing. It’s just beyonce taking it over and pushing those other girls off the screen lmao

  19. RICHIE_RICH November 13, 2014

    Hands down the best!!!!!!

  20. Mark111 November 13, 2014

    It may be safe to say that this was the last great full R&B album. The reason that TLC and DC3 will remain legends is because they closed off with a great ending. THEY ended the group vs just breaking up with no closure. (Nsync, B2K, DK, PCD and so many others.) But The Writing On The Wall will be their best work.

  21. KingCalio November 13, 2014

    These ladies have all had #1’s as a group and as solo artist…How many groups can say that?…Hands down one of the best albums ever. It’s sold over 7 million copies ww. Smh. Amazing 🙂

  22. BossB*tchBeyoncé November 13, 2014

    “Destiny Fufilled has to be the breakup album of the century.” It literally is. There is a song for every-& I do mean every-relationship situation. That album is life. It has to be their best!! Its my favorite album after 4 & DIL!!
    SN-I’m pleasantly surprised by the lack of shade in this article!!

  23. tits mcgee November 14, 2014

    1) Through with it love
    2) Free
    3) Girl
    4) T-shirt
    5) Loose My Breath

    It’s their most cohesive album after, ‘The Writing’s On The Wall’, in my opinion.

    They saved much of the best for last!

    When I hear ‘Free’, I feel so!!!

    P.S. The tracks that didn’t make the cut are my shiznit!

    1) Don’t Talk About It
    2) 2Step

    Don’t sleep on those two!!! 🙂

    • tits mcgee November 14, 2014

      *got my own= don’t talk about it

  24. Jamie November 14, 2014

    If shits…that is all. Love this album!

  25. Love November 14, 2014

    Yes bad Habit got me though some really bad times

  26. Sincere November 14, 2014

    I loved cater to you which is one of my fav songs but I have to go with the song that many people like me connected with Kelly Rowland’s bad habit

  27. Lee November 14, 2014

    Yea I used to cry playing Bad Habit while I was driving

  28. Tia November 14, 2014

    that through with love performance is EVERYTHANG!!! They all showed their vocal prowess and Michelle really shined in that performance.. oh how I miss listening to their voices being blended beautifully.. now that’s what a true vocalist should be!

  29. loretta123 November 14, 2014

    Tha real queen now is RIHANNA.

  30. Jessica November 14, 2014

    DC killed it with this album! Their vocals were on point, image on point. Their best era. Through with Love is one of my favorite songs ever!

  31. waterfalls November 14, 2014

    I have the version with Game Over song, it’s my favorite. I started to appreciate this album with this live in atlanta . Michelle was highlighted on this era.

  32. Tia November 14, 2014

    this loreta creature seems like a lost soul. what are u trying to prove posting ur fave’s basic videos here?? Ur just making it easy for us to compare how subpar her vocals are compared to these true divas. Pls have mercy on rihanna! Dont embarass her further.

  33. Tia November 14, 2014

    she cant even come close to Michelle’s vocals! LOL

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