There’s no guarantee of success when an artist leaves a band.
But artist like Harry Styles, Sting, and Beyonce have made it work.
Your group is already successful: You have hit songs, platinum albums, and adoring fans.
Simon & Garfunkel; Paul Simon.Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Theo Wargo/WireImage
What more could you possibly ask for?
A lot, apparently.
In some cases, the split is acrimonious.
Simon & Garfunkel; Paul Simon.Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Theo Wargo/WireImage
The solo career and the group continue in tandem.
Who has made such daring leaps, you may ask?
EW has a look for you right here.
Wild Orchid; Fergie.Barry King/WireImage; Steve Jennings/WireImage
Diddy-assisted “Bump, Bump, Bump” in 2002.
Ms. Lauryn Hill (Fugees)
There were female rappers beforeMs.
2.0) and making a smattering of festival appearances.
B2K; Omarion.Steve Grayson/WireImage; Jesse Grant/Getty Images
His “Travelin' Band” shows no sign of slowing down.
Running two successful career tracks at the same time?
This is a feat reserved for only the rarest of superstars.
The Fugees; Lauryn Hill.Paul Natkin/WireImage; Samir Hussein/WireImage
Yet when the lead single for her debut recordLove.
Dr. Dre (N.W.A.)
Dr. Dredidn’t only have an ear for a good beat, he had an ear for talent.
Creedence Clearwater Revival; John Fogerty.Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images
They owe their careers to the good Doctor.
may be no more, Dre’s legacy as a rapper and producer will outlive all of us.
Sweet dreams really are made of this.
The Jackson 5; Michael Jackson.Michael Ochs rchives/Getty Images; THIERRY SALLIOU/AFP via Getty Images
Something tells us Styles is going to be around for a long, long time.
Beyonce (Destiny’s Child)
Were the cards stacked inBeyonce’s favor?
Yet as successful asDestiny’s Childwas, a solo career for Beyonce was destined to happen.
No Doubt; Gwen Stefani.Paul Natkin/Getty Images; Tyler Golden/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Those rare times when she brings Destiny’s Child back to support her during aSuper BowlorCoachella performance?
Just a keen acknowledgment that for all of the success and accolades, Beyonce remembers where she’s from.
The band hated each other, even recording their parts forSynchronicityin separate rooms.
NWA; Dr. Dre.Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images; Joseph Okpako/WireImage
Yet, what was most astonishing about his turn to independence was just how well he did.
Did Reed ever care if he had a major hit?
Yet, if you live anywhere even remotely close to Europe, you probably know everything about them.
Eurythmics; Annie Lennox.Ian Dickson/Redferns; Johnny Vy/CBS via Getty Images
Williams has two words for all of his naysayers: Take That.
Hootie and the Blowfish; Darius Rucker.Paul Natkin/Getty Images; Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
One Direction; Harry Styles.Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images; JNI/Star Max/GC Images
Journey; Steve Perry.Richard E. Aaron/Redferns; Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Destiny’s Child; Beyonce.FrankMicelotta/ImageDirect; Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
The Police; Sting.Ebet Roberts/Redferns; Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images
*NSYNC; Justin Timberlake.Fred Duval/FilmMagic; ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
The Go-Go’s; Belinda Carlisle.Kerstin Rodgers/Redferns/Getty Images; Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Doobie Brothers; Michael McDonald.Michael Putland/Getty Images; Daniel Knighton/Getty Images
Peter Gabriel; Phil Collins.Michael Putland/Getty Images; Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
New Edition; Bobby Brown.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Mindy Small/FilmMagic
The Velvet Underground; Lou Reed.Bill Marino/Sygma via Getty Images; Gus Stewart/Redferns via Getty Images
Wu-Tang Clan.Bob Berg/Getty Images
Fleetwood Mac; Stevie Nicks.Pete Still/Redferns; Michael Kovac/WireImage
The Beatles; Paul McCartney.Hulton Archive/Getty Images; Jim Dyson/Getty Images
The Eagles; Don Henley.Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns; Getty Images
The Smiths; Morrissey.Phil Dent/Redferns; Bulent Doruk/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Take That; Robbie Williams.Brian Rasic/Getty Images; Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage
