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{{Short description|American gospel music singer}}
'''Yolanda Yvette Adams''' (born August 27, ] in ]) is an ] ], one of the most popular ] artists of the contemporary period. Along with ], Adams is one of the first artists to blend ] and gospel music, an achievement which, while it initially caused criticism among the conservative ] church, later helped gospel gain airplay in secular venues.
{{Use American English|date=September 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Yolanda Adams
| image = YolandaBelieveBackground2001.jpg
| caption = Adams in 2001
| landscape = yes
| birth_name = Yolanda Yvette Adams
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|8|27}}
| birth_place = ], ], U.S.
| alias = {{hlist|Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music|First Lady of Modern Gospel}}
| genre = {{hlist|]|]|]}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|radio host|actress}}
| years_active = 1982–present
| label = {{hlist|]|]/]|]|]|]|]|N-House}}
| website = {{URL|yolandaadamslive.com}}
}}


'''Yolanda Yvette Adams''' (born August 27, 1961) is an American ] singer, actress, and host of her own ] morning gospel show. She is one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time, having sold over 10&nbsp;million albums worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2019 |title=Yolanda Adams at the 2019 Soul Train Awards: Our Lady Of Soul Gets Candid On The State Of Gospel |website=] |url=https://www.bet.com/article/yt4eiv/yolanda-adams-gets-candid-on-the-state-of-gospel |access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> In addition to achieving multi-platinum status,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 15, 2011 |title=5 Questions for Yolanda Adams on Her New Album |url=https://www.essence.com/news/5-questions-for-yolanda-adams-on-becoming-wal-mart-album/ |access-date=September 3, 2020}}</ref>
==Biography==
she has won four ]s,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/yolanda-adams/105|title=Yolanda Adams|date=November 26, 2019|website=GRAMMY.com|access-date=July 12, 2021}}</ref> four ], five ], six ], six ], two ] and sixteen ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yolanda Adams Live {{!}} Awards |url=https://yolandaadamslive.com/v2/awards/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927151445/http://yolandaadamslive.com/v2/awards/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 27, 2015 |access-date=September 3, 2020 |website=YolandaAdamsLive }}</ref> She is the first Gospel artist to win the ]. She is also the first Gospel artist to be awarded an ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 7, 2020 |title=Prudential Center Hosts McDonalds Gospelfest |url=https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/2020/02/07/prudential-center-hosts-mcdonalds-gospelfest/ |access-date=September 3, 2020 |website=NewJerseyStage}}</ref>
Adams originally worked as a ] and part-time ] in ]. Inspired by her mother, Adams turned to music and released her first album, ''Just as I Am'', in ]. By the mid-], Adams was a popular and well-known performer, and in ] signed a major-label deal with ], resulting in a number of successful albums.


She is known as the "Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music",<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2006 |title=The 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards Roundup: Gospel Field |url=https://www.grammy.com/recording-academy/news/48th-annual-grammy-awards-roundup-gospel-field |access-date=September 2, 2017 |publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences}}</ref> the "First Lady of Modern Gospel",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yolanda Adams |url=http://gospelmusichalloffame.org/yolanda-adams/ |access-date=September 2, 2017 |website=Gospel Music Association}}</ref> while '']'' dubbed her the "Reigning Queen of Urban Gospel".<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2003 |title=Hopeville Tour |url=https://variety.com/2003/music/reviews/hopeville-tour-1200543845/ |access-date=January 5, 2018 |website=Variety}}</ref>
Her first release on Elektra, ''Mountain High...Valley Low'', won the ] ], and its single "Open My Heart" was a Top 10 R&B hit and won the 2000 ]. Two years later, she won a second Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, this time for ]'s ''The Experience''. In addition, Adams has received the ] three times (in ], ], and ]), and the 2001 ].


Adams was named by '']'', in 2009, as the No. 1 gospel artist of the decade, driven by the sales of her No. 1 album ''Mountain High...Valley Low''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2015 |title=Bobby Jones and Its Strongest Voice Prepare to Say Farewell|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/04/arts/television/bobby-jones-gospel-and-its-strongest-voice-prepare-to-say-farewell.html |access-date=February 25, 2022 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> In 2016, President ] awarded Adams with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for her volunteer service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 4, 2020 |title=Yolanda Adams |url=http://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/concert/performers/yolanda-adams/ |access-date=September 3, 2020 |publisher=PBS |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929051057/https://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/concert/performers/yolanda-adams/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Personal life==
She was inducted into the ] by the Gospel Music Association in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 16, 2017 |title=Yolanda Adams inducted into Gospel Music Hall of Fame |url=https://www.fox26houston.com/news/yolanda-adams-inducted-into-gospel-music-hall-of-fame |access-date=September 3, 2020 |website=FOX}}</ref>
In 1997, Adams married former ] player Tim Crawford, though in 2005, Adams filed for divorce.
In 2018, she became the first gospel artist nominated for a ] for her work on ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2018 |title=2018 Tony Award Nominations: SpongeBob SquarePants and Mean Girls Lead the Pack |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/2018-tony-award-nominations-spongebob-squarepants-and-mean-girls-lead-the-pack |access-date=September 3, 2020 |website=Playbill}}</ref> In 2019, she received the ] Lady of Soul Award,<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2020 |title=2019 BET Soul Train Awards: The winners list |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/18/entertainment/bet-soul-train-awards-trnd/index.html |access-date=November 18, 2019 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> and received critical acclaim for officially opening ] with her performance of "]".<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2020 |title=Yolanda Adams Opens Super Bowl 2020 With A Performance Of 'America the Beautiful' |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/yolanda-adams-opens-super-bowl-2020-performance-america-beautiful |access-date=September 3, 2020}}
</ref> ] listed her as one of the Top Gospel Artist of the 2010s.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Yolanda Adams|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/yolanda-adams/chart-history/3AY|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204062429/https://www.billboard.com/music/Yolanda-Adams/chart-history/3AY|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 4, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2021|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> She has scored five number one albums on Billboard's Top Gospel Album.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Yolanda Adams|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/yolanda-adams/chart-history/sll/|access-date=July 30, 2021|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> Adams was inducted into the ] in 2022.


==Discography== ==Early life==
The eldest of six siblings, Adams was born in ]. She graduated from ] in Houston in 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distinguished Alumni |url=http://www.houstonisd.org/HISD/portal/article/front/0,2731,20856_67359489_94477637,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060203093117/http://www.houstonisd.org/HISD/portal/article/front/0,2731,20856_67359489_94477637,00.html |archive-date=February 3, 2006 |publisher=Houston independent school District}}</ref> After graduating from ], she began a career as a schoolteacher and part-time model in Houston.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2006 |title=About TSU > TSU Administration > Office of the President > Welcome |url=http://www.tsu.edu/about/administration/office/welcome.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213120236/http://www.tsu.edu/about/administration/office/welcome.asp |archive-date=December 13, 2007 |publisher=Texas Southern University}}</ref><ref name="experience">{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2001 |title=Yolanda Adams&nbsp;– The Experience |url=http://www.gospelcity.com/dynamic/music-articles/reviews/148 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124023737/http://www.gospelcity.com/dynamic/music-articles/reviews/148 |archive-date=November 24, 2005 |publisher=GospelCity.com}}</ref> Eventually, she gave up teaching to perform full-time as a lead singer.
===Albums===
;Light release:
* 1988: ''Just As I Am''


==Musical career==
;Sounds of Gospel release:
* 1991: ''Through The Storm''


===Beginnings===
;Tribute/Verity releases:
Adams first attracted the attention of ] and Sound of Gospel Records as a lead singer with Houston's Southeast Inspirational Choir affiliated with the ], under the direction of Carl Preacher, Brenda Waters, and Shirley Joiner. The choir released the single "For My Liberty" in 1982 with her as the featured vocalist. In 1986, Adams was featured on the ] Music and Arts Seminar Choir released ''Give Us Peace'', with a performance entitled "My Trust Lies in You". Later, she signed a recording contract with Sound of Gospel which yielded her first album ''Just As I Am'' in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yolanda Adams |url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/artists/adams_yolanda.aspx |access-date=February 20, 2008 |publisher=CBN Music}}</ref> In 1990, she was discovered by producer/keyboardist ], and signed to his independent label ] and released '']''. Tankard's goal with Tribute Records during this time was to develop an audience for a smoother gospel/jazz sound. He featured Adams' vocals on his album and concept video single "You Bring Out The Best in Me" on his 1994 release ''Play Me in Your Key''. The collaboration received positive response from gospel, jazz and "quiet storm" formats.
* 1993: ''Save the World''
* 1995: ''More Than a Melody''
* 1996: ''Shakin' the House: Live in L.A.''
* 1996: ''Yolanda...Live in Washington''
* 1998: ''Songs From the Heart''


One year later, Adams followed with '']'', which included her first signature song "The Battle Is The Lord's". Her next release was 1995's '']'', which featured more production work from Tankard with contributions from ], and ]. The single "]", from that album featuring ] on background vocals, gained mainstream notoriety and was her first single and music video. '']'', released the following year, featured versions of material from her first three albums. The footage from this recording was released as a collection of two videos on VHS initially, and later as a single set on DVD and CD. During this time Tribute Records' parent company Diadem Music Group merged with Benson Music Group, which was eventually bought by New York-based ].
;] releases:
* 1999: ''Mountain High...Valley Low''
* 2000: ''Christmas with Yolanda Adams''
* 2001: ''The Experience''
* 2001: ''Believe''


'']'' was her final release for Verity Records, including "Only Believe", which was a popular song on contemporary radio. The album also included "Still I Rise", a dedication to ], which was inspired by the ] poem of the same name.
;] release:
* 2005: ''Day by Day'' #23 US


===Mainstream breakthrough===
==Singles==
Adams' first significant attention outside the ] arena came with the release of '']'' in 1999 on ]. Several mainstream artists and producers helped in the production of this album including ] (], ]), James "Big Jim" Wright (], ]), ] (], ]), and Keith Thomas (]). The album went ] in 2000 and won Adams a Grammy Award. Notable singles from the album include "]", "Fragile Heart", and "]".
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;"
"Fragile Heart" was dedicated to the memory of Adams' long-time road manager, who died in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yolanda Adams: ''Mountain High... Valley Low'' Review |url=http://www.gospelflava.com/reviews/yolandamountain.html |access-date=February 20, 2007 |publisher=GospelFlava.com}}</ref>
! width="28" rowspan="2"| Year
! width="300" rowspan="2"| Title
! colspan="2"| Chart Positions
! width="300" rowspan="2"| Album
|-


In 2000, Adams released a Christmas album, and in 2001 she released a live album ('']''). '']'' netted Adams a second ] for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. '']'', which included the hit "]" was released in 2001 and reached gold status according to the ] (RIAA). She would later go on to perform this song at "The Salute to Gospel Music" at the ] during President ]'s administration. In 2001, Adams also released a compilation CD entitled ''The Divas of Gospel''; it included the legendary Grammy Award winner ], who was popularly referred to as the "Queen of Gospel Music" until her death in 2010.
! width="86"| <small>]</small>

! width="86"| <small>]</small>
Adams recorded a song for the 2003 film '']'' entitled "I Believe", which played during the last scene in the final dance.
|-

| ]
Adams was also a judge for the 2nd annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Past Judges |url=http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima_new/pastjudges.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713024722/http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima_new/pastjudges.asp |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |access-date=November 20, 2013 |publisher=Independent Music Awards}}</ref> She is also credited as the Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music.{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}}
| "Gotta Have Love"

! -
===''Day By Day''===
! #97
After nearly four years without releasing an album, Adams returned in 2005 with '']''. Although charting higher than ''Mountain High...Valley Low'' on the Billboard 100 and Billboard R&B Albums chart, it did not receive RIAA certification. The album featured the singles "]", "]", "]", and "]" (which was prominently featured in the movie '']'').
| ''More Than a Melody''

|-
After ending her long association with ], Atlantic released a greatest hits collection entitled '']'' in May 2007.
| ]

| "Open My Heart"
Adams signed with ] in 2007. Columbia released '']'', her second holiday collection, in October 2007. "]" was released as the lead single.
! #57

! #10
===Morning radio show and book release===
| ''Mountain High...Valley Low''
{{Infobox Radio show
|-
| show_name = The Yolanda Adams Morning Show
| ]
| italic_title = no
| "I'm Gonna Be Ready"
| image =
! -
| imagesize =
! #74
| caption =
| ''Believe''
| format = Comedy, talk, ]
|-
| runtime = approx. 4 hours
| ]
| "Never Give Up" | creator =
| writer =
! -
| producer =
! #79
| starring = Yolanda Adams
| ''Believe''
| opentheme =
|-
| endtheme =
| ]
| country = United States
| "The Battle Is the Lord's"
| first_aired = 2007
! #75
| last_aired = 2016
! -
| num_episodes =
| ''Yolanda...Live in Washington''
| home_station = ]
|-
| podcast =
| ]
| website = {{URL|TheYolandaAdamsMorningShow.com}}
| "Someone Watching Over You"
}}
! -

! #59
After the release of ''What a Wonderful Time'', Adams embarked on the radio career with ''The Yolanda Adams Morning Show'' which was aired in over 26 ] within two years. Her radio show featured Marcus D. Wiley as Bishop Secular. The syndicated show aired for ten years before ending in 2016.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} It relaunched in September 2019 from Texas Southern University's KTSU-FM 90.9.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
| ''Day by Day''

|-
On December 25, 2009, Adams performed on ]'s '']'', where she sang "Already Alright", from her 1999 ''Mountain High...Valley Low'' album. ] stated that the song is one of her favorites.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
| ]

| "Victory"
In 2010, Adams released her book "Points of Power", based on one of the segments of her radio show ''Points of Power''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christianbook.com: Points of Power: Discover a Spirit-Filled Life of Joy and Purpose: Yolanda Adams: 9780446545785 |url=http://www.christianbook.com/points-power-discover-spirit-filled-purpose/yolanda-adams/9780446545785/pd/545785?item_code%3DWW%26netp_id%3D609279%26event%3DEBRN%26view%3Ddetails |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307230551/http://www.christianbook.com/points-power-discover-spirit-filled-purpose/yolanda-adams/9780446545785/pd/545785?item_code=WW&netp_id=609279&event=EBRN&view=details |archive-date=March 7, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2014}}</ref>
! -

! -
Adams appeared on the 2011 BET Honors to sing her signature song "The Battle Is the Lord's" in honor of ]. Later, Adams appeared at the ], taking part in a tribute to ] along with ], ], Florence Welch from ], and ]. Adams performed "]" – Franklin's classic from 1970. On several occasions, Franklin stated that she "especially loved" Adams' performance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2011 |title=Aretha Franklin on the Wendy Williams Show |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoEJGk8W7-8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/VoEJGk8W7-8| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=March 6, 2011 |via=]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> She performanced at 2011 BET tribute to ].<ref> bet.com Retrieved 21 December 2024</ref>
| ''Day by Day''

===''Becoming''===
Adams' eleventh ], '']'', was released on May 3, 2011, produced by Steve Bracey. The new single, "]", by Donald "Drathoven" Atkins, Jr., debuted on Tuesday, April 19 on ''The Yolanda Adams Morning Show''. ''Becoming'' was released by ] as an exclusive deal. At The BET Awards 2012, Adams' won the award for Best Gospel Artist for the 4th time in her career having won the most since the first BET Awards in 2001.

===Twelfth studio album: 2013–===
On an April 2013 episode of BET's ''Lift Every Voice'', Adams announced that she was working on her twelfth studio album. She announced songwriting and producing credits from the likes of super gospel producers Donald Lawrence, Israel Houghton & Kirk Franklin. <!-- She also mentioned a song and studio session with Grammy, ''Billboard'' & ASCAP award-winning global hit songwriter Diane Warren (Whitney Houston, Patti Labelle, Tina Turner, Elton John). -->
==Book release==
Adams released her first book ''Points of Power'' in 2010. It is a Christian book in reference to living a pure, spirit-filled Christian life.

==Personal life==
Adams was married to Troy Mason from 1987 until 1990. Adams said spousal abuse was the reason for their divorce.<ref>{{Cite web |title=atoast2wealth.com |url=http://ww1.atoast2wealth.com/2014/08/27/twice-divorced-gospel-singer-yolanda-adams-accused-of-lying-about-prior-marital-abuse/ |website=ww1.atoast2wealth.com |access-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720232501/http://ww1.atoast2wealth.com/2014/08/27/twice-divorced-gospel-singer-yolanda-adams-accused-of-lying-about-prior-marital-abuse/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=September 2020}} In 1997, Adams married former ] player Tim Crawford. The couple divorced in August 2004 after seven years. Adams and Crawford have one daughter, Taylor Adams Crawford, born in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 27, 1961 |title=Yolanda Adams Biography |url=http://christianmusic.about.com/od/alprofiles/p/yolandaadams.htm |access-date=November 20, 2013 |website=Christianmusic.about.com |archive-date=August 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811041133/http://christianmusic.about.com/od/alprofiles/p/yolandaadams.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Adams served as a spokesperson for the ] Corporation's ''Operation Rebound'', a program that addressed the concern of inner-city schoolchildren.<ref>, Musician Biographies: Musician personals, awards, and works. Accessed 2 Mar 2023.</ref>

Adams was inducted into ] sorority as an honorary member on July 8, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Inducts Five Honorary Members |url=http://stylemagazine.com/news/2018/jul/08/alpha-kappa-alpha-sorority-incorporated-inducts-fi/ |website=Stylemagazine.com}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Yolanda Adams discography}}
* 1987: '']''
* 1991: '']''
* 1993: '']''
* 1995: '']''
* 1996: '']''
* 1998: '']''
* 1999: '']''
* 2000: '']''
* 2001: '']''
* 2001: '']''
* 2005: '']''
* 2007: '']''
* 2011: '']''

==Filmography==
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1997
|'']''
| Yolanda
|Episode: "God Is in the House"
|-
|2004
|'']''
| Karla
|Episode: "Practice What You Preach"
|-
|2005
|'']''
| Herself
|
|-
|2016
|'']''
| Preacher
|
|-
|2016
|'']''
| Gospel Singer
|
|-
|2020
|'']''
|The Sun (voice)
|3 episodes
|-
|2022–present
|'']''
|Denita Jordan
|Lead role
|} |}


==External links== ==Awards==
*{{imdb name|id=0011444|name=Yolanda Adams}} {{Main|List of awards received by Yolanda Adams}}
In total, Adams has won four ]s, sixteen Stellar Gospel Music Awards, four of the Gospel Music Association's ], one ], seven ]s, one ] Music Award, and five ]s. In 2022, she was inducted into the ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=America|first=Good Morning|title=Smokey Robinson and more to be inducted into Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame|url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/smokey-robinson-inducted-black-music-entertainment-walk-fame-81855471|access-date=2021-12-20|website=Good Morning America|language=en}}</ref>
*
*


==See also==
]
*]
]

]
==References==
]
{{Reflist}}
]

]
==External links==
]
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|1=http://yolandaadamslive.com/}}
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p27879}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0011444|name=Yolanda Adams}}


] {{Yolanda Adams}}
{{Navboxes
|title = ]
|list =
{{American Music Award for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist}}
{{BET Award for Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song}}
}}


{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Yolanda}}
{{US-singer-stub}}
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Latest revision as of 04:58, 21 December 2024

American gospel music singer

Yolanda Adams
Adams in 2001Adams in 2001
Background information
Birth nameYolanda Yvette Adams
Also known as
  • Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music
  • First Lady of Modern Gospel
Born (1961-08-27) August 27, 1961 (age 63)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • radio host
  • actress
Years active1982–present
Labels
Websiteyolandaadamslive.com
Musical artist

Yolanda Yvette Adams (born August 27, 1961) is an American gospel singer, actress, and host of her own nationally syndicated morning gospel show. She is one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time, having sold over 10 million albums worldwide. In addition to achieving multi-platinum status, she has won four Grammy Awards, four Dove Awards, five BET Awards, six NAACP Image Awards, six Soul Train Music Awards, two BMI Awards and sixteen Stellar Awards. She is the first Gospel artist to win the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song. She is also the first Gospel artist to be awarded an American Music Award.

She is known as the "Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music", the "First Lady of Modern Gospel", while Variety dubbed her the "Reigning Queen of Urban Gospel".

Adams was named by Billboard, in 2009, as the No. 1 gospel artist of the decade, driven by the sales of her No. 1 album Mountain High...Valley Low. In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded Adams with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for her volunteer service. She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame by the Gospel Music Association in 2017. In 2018, she became the first gospel artist nominated for a Tony Award for her work on SpongeBob SquarePants. In 2019, she received the Soul Train Music Awards Lady of Soul Award, and received critical acclaim for officially opening Super Bowl LIV with her performance of "America the Beautiful". Billboard listed her as one of the Top Gospel Artist of the 2010s. She has scored five number one albums on Billboard's Top Gospel Album. Adams was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022.

Early life

The eldest of six siblings, Adams was born in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Sterling High School in Houston in 1979. After graduating from Texas Southern University, she began a career as a schoolteacher and part-time model in Houston. Eventually, she gave up teaching to perform full-time as a lead singer.

Musical career

Beginnings

Adams first attracted the attention of Thomas Whitfield and Sound of Gospel Records as a lead singer with Houston's Southeast Inspirational Choir affiliated with the Church of God in Christ, under the direction of Carl Preacher, Brenda Waters, and Shirley Joiner. The choir released the single "For My Liberty" in 1982 with her as the featured vocalist. In 1986, Adams was featured on the Edwin Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar Choir released Give Us Peace, with a performance entitled "My Trust Lies in You". Later, she signed a recording contract with Sound of Gospel which yielded her first album Just As I Am in 1987. In 1990, she was discovered by producer/keyboardist Ben Tankard, and signed to his independent label Tribute Records and released Through The Storm. Tankard's goal with Tribute Records during this time was to develop an audience for a smoother gospel/jazz sound. He featured Adams' vocals on his album and concept video single "You Bring Out The Best in Me" on his 1994 release Play Me in Your Key. The collaboration received positive response from gospel, jazz and "quiet storm" formats.

One year later, Adams followed with Save the World, which included her first signature song "The Battle Is The Lord's". Her next release was 1995's More Than a Melody, which featured more production work from Tankard with contributions from O'Landa Draper, and BeBe Winans. The single "Gotta Have Love", from that album featuring Tony Terry on background vocals, gained mainstream notoriety and was her first single and music video. Yolanda... Live in Washington, released the following year, featured versions of material from her first three albums. The footage from this recording was released as a collection of two videos on VHS initially, and later as a single set on DVD and CD. During this time Tribute Records' parent company Diadem Music Group merged with Benson Music Group, which was eventually bought by New York-based Zomba/Verity Records.

Songs from the Heart was her final release for Verity Records, including "Only Believe", which was a popular song on contemporary radio. The album also included "Still I Rise", a dedication to Rosa Parks, which was inspired by the Maya Angelou poem of the same name.

Mainstream breakthrough

Adams' first significant attention outside the urban contemporary gospel arena came with the release of Mountain High... Valley Low in 1999 on Elektra Records. Several mainstream artists and producers helped in the production of this album including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men), James "Big Jim" Wright (Mariah Carey, Nicole C. Mullen), Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Brandy), and Keith Thomas (BeBe & CeCe Winans). The album went 2× Platinum in 2000 and won Adams a Grammy Award. Notable singles from the album include "Yeah", "Fragile Heart", and "Open My Heart". "Fragile Heart" was dedicated to the memory of Adams' long-time road manager, who died in 1998.

In 2000, Adams released a Christmas album, and in 2001 she released a live album (The Experience). The Experience netted Adams a second Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. Believe, which included the hit "Never Give Up" was released in 2001 and reached gold status according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). She would later go on to perform this song at "The Salute to Gospel Music" at the White House during President George W. Bush's administration. In 2001, Adams also released a compilation CD entitled The Divas of Gospel; it included the legendary Grammy Award winner Albertina Walker, who was popularly referred to as the "Queen of Gospel Music" until her death in 2010.

Adams recorded a song for the 2003 film Honey entitled "I Believe", which played during the last scene in the final dance.

Adams was also a judge for the 2nd annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers. She is also credited as the Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music.

Day By Day

After nearly four years without releasing an album, Adams returned in 2005 with Day By Day. Although charting higher than Mountain High...Valley Low on the Billboard 100 and Billboard R&B Albums chart, it did not receive RIAA certification. The album featured the singles "Be Blessed", "Someone Watching Over You", "This Too Shall Pass", and "Victory" (which was prominently featured in the movie The Gospel).

After ending her long association with Atlantic Records, Atlantic released a greatest hits collection entitled The Best of Me in May 2007.

Adams signed with Columbia Records in 2007. Columbia released What a Wonderful Time, her second holiday collection, in October 2007. "Hold On" was released as the lead single.

Morning radio show and book release

Radio show
The Yolanda Adams Morning Show
GenreComedy, talk, urban contemporary gospel
Running timeapprox. 4 hours
Country of originUnited States
Home stationKMJQ-FM
StarringYolanda Adams
Original release2007 –
2016
Websitetheyolandaadamsmorningshow.com

After the release of What a Wonderful Time, Adams embarked on the radio career with The Yolanda Adams Morning Show which was aired in over 26 radio markets within two years. Her radio show featured Marcus D. Wiley as Bishop Secular. The syndicated show aired for ten years before ending in 2016. It relaunched in September 2019 from Texas Southern University's KTSU-FM 90.9.

On December 25, 2009, Adams performed on BET's The Mo'Nique Show, where she sang "Already Alright", from her 1999 Mountain High...Valley Low album. Mo'Nique stated that the song is one of her favorites.

In 2010, Adams released her book "Points of Power", based on one of the segments of her radio show Points of Power.

Adams appeared on the 2011 BET Honors to sing her signature song "The Battle Is the Lord's" in honor of Cicely Tyson. Later, Adams appeared at the 53rd Grammy Awards, taking part in a tribute to Aretha Franklin along with Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine, and Martina McBride. Adams performed "Spirit in the Dark" – Franklin's classic from 1970. On several occasions, Franklin stated that she "especially loved" Adams' performance. She performanced at 2011 BET tribute to Cicely Tyson.

Becoming

Adams' eleventh studio album, Becoming, was released on May 3, 2011, produced by Steve Bracey. The new single, "Be Still", by Donald "Drathoven" Atkins, Jr., debuted on Tuesday, April 19 on The Yolanda Adams Morning Show. Becoming was released by Walmart as an exclusive deal. At The BET Awards 2012, Adams' won the award for Best Gospel Artist for the 4th time in her career having won the most since the first BET Awards in 2001.

Twelfth studio album: 2013–

On an April 2013 episode of BET's Lift Every Voice, Adams announced that she was working on her twelfth studio album. She announced songwriting and producing credits from the likes of super gospel producers Donald Lawrence, Israel Houghton & Kirk Franklin.

Book release

Adams released her first book Points of Power in 2010. It is a Christian book in reference to living a pure, spirit-filled Christian life.

Personal life

Adams was married to Troy Mason from 1987 until 1990. Adams said spousal abuse was the reason for their divorce. In 1997, Adams married former NFL player Tim Crawford. The couple divorced in August 2004 after seven years. Adams and Crawford have one daughter, Taylor Adams Crawford, born in 2001.

Adams served as a spokesperson for the Fila Corporation's Operation Rebound, a program that addressed the concern of inner-city schoolchildren.

Adams was inducted into Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority as an honorary member on July 8, 2018.

Discography

Main article: Yolanda Adams discography

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1997 In the House Yolanda Episode: "God Is in the House"
2004 The Parkers Karla Episode: "Practice What You Preach"
2005 The Gospel (film) Herself
2016 Ride Along 2 Preacher
2016 The Passion: New Orleans Gospel Singer
2020 Blue's Clues & You! The Sun (voice) 3 episodes
2022–present Kingdom Business Denita Jordan Lead role

Awards

Main article: List of awards received by Yolanda Adams

In total, Adams has won four Grammy Awards, sixteen Stellar Gospel Music Awards, four of the Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards, one American Music Award, seven NAACP Image Awards, one Soul Train Music Award, and five BET Awards. In 2022, she was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.

See also

References

  1. "Yolanda Adams at the 2019 Soul Train Awards: Our Lady Of Soul Gets Candid On The State Of Gospel". BET. November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  2. "5 Questions for Yolanda Adams on Her New Album". May 15, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  3. "Yolanda Adams". GRAMMY.com. November 26, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  4. "Yolanda Adams Live | Awards". YolandaAdamsLive. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  5. "Prudential Center Hosts McDonalds Gospelfest". NewJerseyStage. February 7, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  6. "The 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards Roundup: Gospel Field". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. January 30, 2006. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  7. "Yolanda Adams". Gospel Music Association. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  8. "Hopeville Tour". Variety. January 26, 2003. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  9. "Bobby Jones and Its Strongest Voice Prepare to Say Farewell". The New York Times. August 3, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  10. "Yolanda Adams". PBS. July 4, 2020. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  11. "Yolanda Adams inducted into Gospel Music Hall of Fame". FOX. May 16, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  12. "2018 Tony Award Nominations: SpongeBob SquarePants and Mean Girls Lead the Pack". Playbill. May 1, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  13. "2019 BET Soul Train Awards: The winners list". CNN. February 2, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  14. "Yolanda Adams Opens Super Bowl 2020 With A Performance Of 'America the Beautiful'". February 2, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  15. "Yolanda Adams". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  16. "Yolanda Adams". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  17. "Distinguished Alumni". Houston independent school District. Archived from the original on February 3, 2006.
  18. "About TSU > TSU Administration > Office of the President > Welcome". Texas Southern University. June 29, 2006. Archived from the original on December 13, 2007.
  19. "Yolanda Adams – The Experience". GospelCity.com. April 23, 2001. Archived from the original on November 24, 2005.
  20. "Yolanda Adams". CBN Music. Retrieved February 20, 2008.
  21. "Yolanda Adams: Mountain High... Valley Low Review". GospelFlava.com. Retrieved February 20, 2007.
  22. "Past Judges". Independent Music Awards. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  23. "Christianbook.com: Points of Power: Discover a Spirit-Filled Life of Joy and Purpose: Yolanda Adams: 9780446545785". Archived from the original on March 7, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  24. "Aretha Franklin on the Wendy Williams Show". March 6, 2011. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2011 – via YouTube.
  25. From Yolanda Adams to White House bet.com Retrieved 21 December 2024
  26. "atoast2wealth.com". ww1.atoast2wealth.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  27. "Yolanda Adams Biography". Christianmusic.about.com. August 27, 1961. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  28. “Yolanda Adams Biography”, Musician Biographies: Musician personals, awards, and works. Accessed 2 Mar 2023.
  29. "Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Inducts Five Honorary Members". Stylemagazine.com.
  30. America, Good Morning. "Smokey Robinson and more to be inducted into Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame". Good Morning America. Retrieved December 20, 2021.

External links

Yolanda Adams
Studio albums
Live albums
Singles
Related articles
Awards for Yolanda Adams
American Music Award for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist
BET Award for Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist
1970s
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NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song
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(1971–2015)
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