A recent marriage, an album and now a movie on the way for Beyonce, is there anything she can’t do? The pop star’s cover of Etta James’ iconic “At Last” will be the lead song for the upcoming soundtrack for Cadillac Records which will debut Dec. 2 via Columbia. The film chronicles the rise and fall of famed label Chess Records and Beyonce stars as James. Beyonce told Billboard about the experience, saying: “I realized that Etta James was so unapologetic, bold and strong that playing her was a big risk for me. It gave me the confidence and the push to challenge myself a little more with my music.” To see her perform her own songs, try for Beyonce tickets.



The soundtrack also includes tracks from Mos Def (portraying Chuck Berry), Columbus Short (as Little Walter), Jeffrey Wright (as Muddy Waters) and Eamonn Walker (as Howlin’ Wolf). The album, which will be available in both single- and double-disc versions, also boasts songs from Mary Mary, Nas, Buddy Guy, Elvis Presley, Raphael Saadiq and Beyonce’s sister Solange. Cadillac Records makes its big screen debut Dec. 5 and Sony BMG Music Entertainment chairman Andrew Lack, who produced the film with Sony BMG films executive VP Sophia Sondervan says it will show a different side of the pop diva. “People will be most surprised that the glamorous Beyonce allowed herself to be seen in the desperate straits that Etta went through, including her heroin addiction. That’s a Beyonce I don’t think anyone’s seen yet.”

The public was first introduced to Beyonce when she was part of Destiny’s Child, the group formerly known as Girl Tyme that she formed with her cousin Kelly Rowland and school friends LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett in her native Houston. The quartet burst into the R&B/pop mainstream with “No, No, NO,” off their eponymous debut album is 1997 and their breakthrough came two years later with The Writings on the Wall. The album spawned radio mainstays “Jumpin’ Jumpin’,” “Bills Bills Bills,” “Bug a Boo” and “Say My Name,” which earned Destiny’s Child two Grammy awards. Despite the girl group’s fast-paced ascent to stardom, Luckett and Roberson left the group and were replaced by Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin (who would leave the group within a year).

In 2000 the trio released the girl-powered single “Independent Women Pt. 1” on the Charlie’s Angels soundtrack and their subsequent album, 2001’s Survivor, went straight to the top of the charts thanks to “Bootylicious” (yes, the term is actually in the dictionary thanks to Beyonce). Long-since the leading lady of Destiny’s Child, Beyonce dipped into the acting pool with a starring role in the MTV “hip-hopera” Carmen and a spot alongside Mike Myers in the Austin Powers sequel, for which she recorded her first solo song, “Work It Out,” that was included on the soundtrack. “03 Bonnie & Clyde,” another solo single featuring then-rumored beau and now-husband Jay-Z was followed by Beyonce’s solo album debut, 2003’s Dangerously in Love. The album won five Grammys thanks to popular singles like “Baby Boy” and “Crazy in Love” and then Destiny’s Child reunited for their last album. The aptly titled Destiny Fulfilled spawned hits “Soldier” and “Lose My Breath” and all three girls went on to pursue solo work, with Beyonce starring in 2006’s Dreamgirls and releasing her sophomore solo record, B’Day, in 2006. Beyonce is set to release her third solo album in November and singles “If I Were a Boy” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” are already creating buzz. So hurry up and get your Beyonce tickets soon because this talented diva is sure to pack arenas when she hits the road.