2003 shall be remembered as the year of Beyonce - the new queen of pop - who ascended to the throne on the back of this year's hottest single, the brass-strutting, beat-pumping, pop-stomp of 'Crazy In Love'. Crazy indeed! This monster of a song captured the hearts of fans, critics and cynics alike, as well as seducing those who deny their pop sensibility in the quest for indie-schmindie cool.

Whether giving it socks with her Destiny siblings or, indeed, stockings in her solo guise, Beyonce is a one-woman tour de musical force. Ms Knowles, we salute you.

Read our first cover story with Destiny's Child:
here

Beyonce spills the beans on Destiny's Child's breakthrough year
here

Check out an early video interview with Her Bootiliciousness:
here

Stephen Robinson catches up with the diva in waiting as she releases her debut solo single, the storming 'Work It Out', and makes her virginal silver screen appearance alongside Austin Powers:
here

Beyonce plays Dublin's Point Theatre on Saturday November 15, Sunday November 16 and The Odyssey in Belfast on Monday November 17 of 2003.