Knowles has cited various artists who have influenced her musical style. She grew up listening to songs of Anita Baker and Luther Vandross, the latter of whom she eventually collaborated with, but often credits her pop music hero, Michael Jackson,[176] as the reason why she does music.[177] Knowles credits Mariah Carey's singing and her song "Vision of Love" as influencing her to begin practicing vocal "runs" as a child, as well as helping her pursue a career as a musician.[178] She was also exposed to the jazz music of Rachelle Ferrell, after singing Ferrell's songs during her voice lessons and cites her as a musical influence.[179] Knowles also cites influences from American artists such as Tina Turner,[180] Prince,[181] Aaliyah,[182] Diana Ross,[180] Mary J. Blige,[183] Whitney Houston[184] and Janet Jackson.[185]
Aside from her musical influences, Knowles has also influenced various contemporary artists, including pop singer Rihanna, who stated Knowles is "one of the artists that I admire a lot."[186] Following the release of Rihanna's sophomore album, critics noted its music was too similar to Knowles'.[187][188] The media even made negative reviews comparing her music, music videos and performances to Knowles'.[189] Knowles has been cited as a musical inspiration to X Factor UK winners, Alexandra Burke[190] and Leona Lewis,[191] and to Trinidadian rapper, Nicki Minaj.[192] Actress and comedian Mo'Nique who was inspired by Knowles, hosted the BET Awards in 2004 and opened the ceremony performing Knowles' song, "Crazy in Love".[193] She also hosted in 2007 and performed, "Déjà Vu".[193] In an interview with MTV News, Kelly Rowland revealed she was inspired by Knowles' voice while recording her second album, Ms. Kelly.[194] Actress Gwyneth Paltrow made her live television singing debut at the 2010 Country Music Awards and told Access Hollywood that she got her inspiration from Knowles', stating "I studied Beyoncé a lot and her concerts for her kind of confidence… and I’m lucky that I know some singers in real life."[195] Pop singer Miley Cyrus told Seventeen magazine that she "want[s] to be like Beyoncé", stating "She is the ultimate woman. You look at her and you don't think, I wonder what her personal life is like. You look at her and you go, That girl on the stage is a superstar. You don't care about anything else; you only care about her music. So I would hope that would be me in the future."[196] Furthermore, British singer Cheryl Cole told Hello! magazine that she thinks Knowles "is what every woman should aspire to be."[197] Knowles' music video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" has achieved fame for its intricate choreography, which has been credited as having started the "first major dance craze of both the new millennium and the Internet".[86] This prompted a legion of imitations and parodies from men and women all around the world posting videos of themselves onto YouTube attempting to perform the choreography.[198] Celebrities have also tried the choreography, including pop singers Justin Timberlake[87] and Joe Jonas,[88] US President Barack Obama and actor Tom Hanks.[89][90] American Idol winner Jordin Sparks described her debut single, "Tattoo" as being very "Beyonce-ish."[199][200] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic found American pop singer Katharine McPhee's songs on her, self-titled, début album to have heavy influences from Knowles' music.[201]
Knowles served as the lead singer of one of the world's best selling girl groups of all time, Destiny's Child.[202] She currently has a total of 41 Grammy Award nominations, which is more than any other female artist in history.[203] She was one of six female artists, along with Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, Amy Winehouse and Alison Krauss, who held the record for the most number of Grammys won by a female artist in a single night; the record being five awards, which she accomplished in 2004.[203] However, in 2010 Knowles surpassed all others by receiving a record breaking six awards out of ten nominations.[203] In 2007, she became the first female artist to be awarded the International Artist Award at the American Music Awards.[204] At the 2008 World Music Awards, Knowles was honored the legend award for Outstanding Contribution To The Arts.[205] Her début studio album, Dangerously In Love was listed as one of the top 200 definitive albums in music history by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.[206] On December 11, 2009, Billboard listed Knowles as the most successful female artist of the 2000s decade and also the top Radio Artist of the decade.[12] In February 2010, the RIAA listed her as the top certified artist of the decade, with a total of 64 certifications, including albums, digital songs, master ringtones and music videos.[13] BET recognized Knowles as the second most influential artist of the decade.[207] In August 2010, VH1 listed Knowles at number 52 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.[208] In November 2010, Billboard ranked her at 15th place on its list of the top 25 R&B/Hip-Hop artist of the past 25 years (1985–2010).[209]
