Do you remember hearing “Resentment” for the first time? I do and the first thought that popped into my head was “WOW.” It’s one thing to read the lyrics to “Resentment,” but it’s another experience to actually hear Beyoncé sing it… especially live! So imagine how overly excited I was to find out that Beyoncé would be performing it for the first time live at Wynn Las Vegas. One of Beyoncé’s endless talents is her ability to interpret music. The way she’s able to wrap a lyric with so much genuine heartfelt passion is unreal. Seeing this performance for the first time was breathtaking. Every time I watch this a chill surges throughout my body when I hear the acoustic guitar begin to accompany her. Why? Because I know Beyoncé is about to take me on this emotional journey. The way she captivates you with such ease and such magnificence is just… I have no words to explain it. It’s so sweet, so simple, yet it possesses a subtle powerfulness at the same time. Hearing Beyoncé live is very passionate, powerful, and pure. It’s an experience every Beyhive member should have at least once. I wonder what fan favorites Beyoncé might add to the second leg of The Mrs. Carter Show? I would love to see “Deja Vu” make a comeback to her set list again. What’s your favorite Beyoncé song you would like her to perform that she normally doesn’t?

Do you remember on May 8, 2001 when MTV aired Carmen: A Hip Hopera marking Beyoncé’s first film debut? Yes back when Beyoncé was still rocking her corn rolls and micro braids. Playing an aspiring actress who was seductive, sassy, and an all around gold digger Carmen brought trouble wherever she went. As you know Carmen: A Hip Hopera featured an all-star cast that included Jermaine Dupri, Da Bart, Mos Def, Wyclef Jean, Mekhi Phifer, Lil’ Bow Wow, Reagan Gomez – Preston. Let me just say I’ve only watched this movie once and refuse to ever see it again. I was 8 when this movie originally came out and at the time I was a vey impressionable 8 at that. At the end of the movie when Mos Def’s character shot Beyoncé I was over everything. Literally I was sitting there with my mother balling my eyes out (yes I was a very dramatic kid at the time lol). I couldn’t believe she got shot! Like I was over that movie and for years I felt some type of way about Mos Def. Now that I’m much older now I realize how funny and ratchet Carmen: A Hip Hopera really was.

What do you do when you’re told no? Do you accept it or do you chop it up to that’s not the right person you should be talking to? In Beyoncé’s case she never took the set backs and the no’s personal. She took them as a learning experience and pushed even harder. As you know June 22, 2003 marked the official debut of Beyoncé’s solo career. A year where her career could go nowhere but up, Beyoncé made an enormous impact that year. After being told she didn’t have one hit single on her album, but only to prove she had five instead. The imprint Beyoncé left on the music industry in 2003 lead to her being a favorite contender at the 2004 46th Grammy Awards. Having one of the most memorable openings with Prince (seriously how many can say they performed with Prince?) to having the most talked about solo performance (that received a standing ovation). Only to end the night with five Grammy awards in hand. Beyoncé proved that she was a force to be reckoned with and here to stay. At this point in her career I believe Beyoncé has earn her place rightful so in the music industry as Beyoncé! And what I mean by that is no she isn’t Whitney, Mariah, Aretha, or Trina, but she’s Beyoncé! She’s her own artist and person now where she deserves that respect. Hate it or love it Beyoncé has made an impact that will forever secure her place down the line as a legend.

Do you remember Destiny’s Child show stopping opening performance at the 2005 World Music Awards? I most certainly do just like it was yesterday. Everything about this performance gave me so much life and still till this day! Where does one begin to clock the ways of everything amazing these girls did this eventful night? From the tight harmonies to Beyoncé and Michelle snapping at the end of “Survivor,” and to Beyoncé just catching the Holy Ghost at the end of the performance. Life was just given and the crowd was there to accept it. What’s so great about this performance is that you can compare it to a lot artist today and most couldn’t compete. There wasn’t anything that I didn’t love about the Destiny’s Fulfilled era! Especially the album! Gosh talk about memories…. *pops in Destiny’s Child Live In Atlanta DVD*

Do you remember sitting in the movie theater on December 5, 2008 watching Cadillac Records for the first time? I know I most certainly do! I was overly excited and anxious just to see Beyoncé. I read and watched so many interviews Beyoncé did talking about this movie. She stated many times that this role really took her out of her element and that we would see a different side to her. Beyoncé was right because about an hour into the film she finally appeared on screen and boy I wasn’t expecting what I saw. She was no longer the sweet and shy girl from Houston we’ve all come to love she was Etta James who was demanding, vulgar, and provocative. I was so proud of Beyoncé because it never felt like I was watching Beyoncé on screen, but rather I was just seeing Etta James life being captured. The way she stayed committed to her character was astounding. There were many highlights in this movie for me, but one that stood out to me was when she delivered her rendition of Etta James “All I Could Do Was Cry.” A chill surged throughout my body the moment Beyoncé opened her mouth. The way she was able to wrap every single lyric in a big ball and belt it out with genuine heartfelt passion was gold to my ears. This movie never gets old to me and I still enjoy it today. Check the scene below:

Do you remember when Beyoncé performed at the 2003 BET Awards? Of course you do because that’s why you’re here right? The year 2003 marked the official debut of Beyoncé wig snatcher Giselle Knowles – Carter as a solo artist. There were many performances at the 3rd annual BET Awards, but none that topped the surprise highlight of the night from Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s captivating performance of “Crazy In Love.” What we all witness on that stage was the birth of a legend in the making. Since dropping her debut album Dangerously In Love, Beyoncé’s career has only moved far beyond her naysayer’s expectations. Beyoncé as an artist and most certainly as a performer has come along way since her debut. With time Beyoncé only gets better. Watch Beyoncé slay the stage below: