Kelly Rowland: On Her Own

(CBS)  As one-third of the popular group, Destiny's Child, Kelly Rowland has helped turn the trio into the largest-selling female group of all time.

Rowland tells The Early Show that she's taking a break from the band to pursue some individual projects.

The first single released from her brand new CD "Simply Deep" was a duet with rap star Nelly, called "Dilemma." The single spent an impressive seven weeks at No. 1 on the billboard charts. The rest of her album will be a mix of Rock, R&B, and Pop.

Rowland credits her manager, Matthew Knowles, for the idea of doing a solo rock album. "I wasn't sure about it at first," she says. "Then he was like, 'It will be great. You can mix it with some R&B.' Basically I just put all of my influences on one album. And I just hope that everybody loves the album as much as I loved recording it."

The album does have another Destiny's Child connection. The sister of Beyonce Knowles, another member of the trio, wrote "four or five songs off my album, vocal arrangements and everything," Rowland says.

"She is incredibly talented. All my love to Solange. She is so talented. I've been knowing her since she was 5 or 6 years old, so to watch her grow into this beautiful young lady. Multitalented. She's amazing. I'm so proud of Solange," Rowland says.

The women of Destiny's Child - Knowles , Rowland and Michelle Williams - will unite early next year for a Summer 2003 release. Rowland will also take a jab at acting when she stars in the movie "Freddie vs. Jason."

Rowland sang her new single "Stole" for The Early Show. The single deals with serious teen issues - suicide, pregnancy and gang violence.