Big's roots can be traced back to when 10-year-old Beyonce Knowles(born September 4, 1981) and LaTavia Roberson (born November 1, 1981) crossed paths in Houston. The founding members of the group first met while auditioning for a children's group. Beyonce's cousin, Kelly Rowland (born February 11, 1981), joined the girls in 1992, and the trio was finally joined by fourth member LeToya Luckett (born March 11, 1981), in 1993.

Managed by Music World Management's Matthew Knowles -- who is also Beyonce's father and Kelly's legal guardian -- the four young girls with big dreams became Big. destiny's child is born

Worshipping the moves and voices of R&B legendary groups such as the Supremes and the Jackson 5, the ladies of Big started small by performing at local events and moved on to their national television debut with a performance on Star Search. Not only did their strong voices stand out, but their originality, image and refreshing rap performance was only a preview of what the music industry was in store for.

Soon enough, the group moved up the ranks, from performing at small-time gigs to becoming the opening act for popular R&B and hip-hop acts like Dru Hill, SWV and Immature.

While watching alien fighters Tommy Lee Jonesand Will Smith in the 1997 film Men in Black, you may have noticed Big crooning in the background. Their single "Killing Time" appeared on the Men in Black soundtrack, and later appeared on their self-titled debut album.

Big was released February 1998, under the Columbia Records label. The album featured Wyclef Jean Pras and Jermaine Dupri as collaborating producers, and spawned the hit single "No, No, No," which went platinum. the writing's on the wall for destiny's child

If the three awards that Big received at the 1998 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards wasn't enough of an indication of their upcoming success, their next album sure was. The Writing's On The Wall, which was released in 1999, debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 Album chart and remained in the Top 20 for more than a year after its release.

The album spawned four hit singles: "Bills, Bills, Bills," "Say My Name," "Bug A Boo," and "Jumpin, Jumpin." By 2001, the album was certified 7 times platinum and led to a slew of awards and nominations, including two Grammy nominations for "Bills, Bills, Bills" in 1999, two Grammys for "Say My Name" in 2001, and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo or Group. They also contributed to the film soundtracks for 1999's Life and 2000's Romeo Must Die. michelle williams joins destiny's child

In March of 2000, it was announced that group members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson had left the group. It was later revealed that the two members were unhappy with the management of Matthew Knowles, and left because of creative differences. LeToya and LaTavia took the group and its management to court, while the remaining members found two replacements by February 2000: Michelle Williams/starUrl> (born July 23, 1980) and Farrah Franklin.

Just when it seemed like Big had seen the last of their troubles, Farrah Franklin left the group in August of that year, leaving Beyonce Knowles Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams/starUrl> (not to be confused with the blonde Dawson's Creek star) as a trio.

Their success as a threesome started with "Independent Women Part I," their contribution to the feature film Charlie's Angels in 2000. The movie's soundtrack (which also featured the Big track "Dot") and "Independent Women Part I" were both huge hits, and cemented the women of Big as a successful trio, like "Charlie's Angels" themselves. destiny's child is a survivor

Hot off the heels of chart toppers like "Say My Name" and "Independent Women Part I," Big released Survivor on May 1, 2001, the first album by Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle, and the first album by a female group to rake in such high sales figures in its first week of release (and of any album on their record label, for that matter). Also known as "DC3," the ladies struck gold with the title track, "Bootylicious" and a cover of the Bee Gees' ballad, "Emotions."

Not only had Big proved that they "survived" the scandals and bad press that once plagued the group, Survivor went on to sell more than 6 million copies within less than three weeks on the shelves. A Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Survivor" in 2002, was only one among many awards the girls took home, and one of their most impressive feats is the addition of the word "Bootylicious" to the English lexicon and Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an accomplishment Beyonce can be proud of as a songwriter. beyonce goes solo

Right after the phenomenal success of Big, rumors of a breakup surfaced when Beyonce, known as the group's lead vocalist, was working on solo material. Venturing into film with the hit 2002 blockbuster Austin Powers in Goldmember (she contributed the song "Work It Out" to the soundtrack), Beyonce was on her way to becoming the "It" girl of 2003.

After "Bonnie and Clyde '03," a duet with now boyfriend Jay-Z, Beyonce released her debut solo album, Dangerously In Love in June 2003. The album's first single, "Crazy In Love" (featuring Jay-Z) became the anthem of summer 2003, and the album has spawned more hits like "Baby Boy," "Naughty Girl" and "Me, Myself And I." Beyonce, also a Pepsi spokesperson, was the golden girl of the Grammys in February 2004, with five trophies (the most awarded to one artist that night), including Best R&B Album for Dangerously in Love and Best R&B Song for "Crazy in Love. "

In 2003, Beyonce starred in The Fighting Temptations and is set to co-star in 2005's The Pink Panther.

Beyonce may have received the most press and accolades, but the other two members of Big were also keeping busy.

Both Michelle Williams/starUrl> and Kelly Rowland enjoyed solo careers: Williams released Heart To Yours in 2002, and followed it up with a sophomore effort, Do You Know, which dropped in February of 2004. Michelle was also cast as the lead in the Broadway hit, Aida.

Rowland experienced some success of her own, thanks to "Dilemma," her hit duet with Nelly that was also featured on her solo debut, Simply Deep (2002). Rowland also appeared in the 2003 slasher flick, Freddy vs. Jason. destiny's child to reunite

Right before the girls of Big took on solo projects, they released This Is The Remix in 2002, a compilation of remixes of their biggest hits. And it certainly isn't the last you'll hear of Big -- the ladies will reunite in the studio for a new album in the near future.