“How you doin’ honey, baby?”
Those very words kickstarted Beyonce’s solo superstardom. Today’s From The Vault is the diva’s first official solo single, ‘Work It Out.’
Following the blockbuster ‘Survivor’ era, the ladies of Destiny’s Child announced that they would focus on individual projects. Michelle released a successful Gospel record, Kelly went on to collaborate with Nelly on the Grammy-winning ‘Dilemma’ and dropped her debut LP, and Bey set a master plan in motion to become one of the biggest entertainer of her generation.
The first step? A role in an ‘Austin Powers’ movie followed by a song on its original soundtrack.
‘Work’ was produced and written by The Neptunes and and saw the budding diva stray away from her band’s contemporary R&B lean.
Unlike ‘Independent Women’ two years prior, the single didn’t really set the charts on fire, but it marked the arrival of a new Pop star that meant business.
Matthew Rolston directed the track’s visual, which showcased a sassier Bey, scantily-clad and all. Accompanied by her now-trademark female dancers, Queen Bey and her girls served a dance-break and proved in the process that no one can hula-hoop like her.
Inspired by the 70’s, the singer is reminiscent of a younger Tina Turner with her outfit and her hair. Footage from the movie flashes intermittently during the video and Mike Myers makes an appearance as his Austin Powers character at the beginning and ending of the vid. Still, Bey was the most captivating.
In retrospect, ‘Work It Out’ served as the calm before the storm that was her official “launch” ‘Crazy In Love.’ It was Mrs Carter spring-boarding her individual identity.
The track’s more organic feel and the aesthetics of the video would go on to become staple elements of the “Beyonce” we know and love today.
With just a few weeks to go before #Beychella, we’re hopeful to see her dust off this gem as part of her set.