Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Yolanda Yvette Adams |
Also known as |
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Born | Houston, Texas, U.S. | August 27, 1961
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 1982–present |
Labels | |
Website | yolandaadamslive |
Yolanda Yvette Adams (born August 27, 1961) is an American
She is known as the "Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music",[6] the "First Lady of Modern Gospel",[7] while Variety dubbed her the "Reigning Queen of Urban Gospel".[8]
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.[9] In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded Adams with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for her volunteer service.[10] She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame by the Gospel Music Association in 2017.[11] In 2018, she became the first gospel artist nominated for a
Early life
The eldest of six siblings, Adams was born in
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.[20] 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
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
In 2000, Adams released a Christmas album, and in 2001 she released a live album (
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.[22] She is also credited as the Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music.[citation needed]
Day By Day
After nearly four years without releasing an album, Adams returned in 2005 with
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
Morning radio show and book release
Genre | Comedy, talk, KMJQ-FM |
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Starring | Yolanda Adams |
Original release | 2007 – 2016 |
Website | theyolandaadamsmorningshow |
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.[citation needed] It relaunched in September 2019 from Texas Southern University's KTSU-FM 90.9.[citation needed]
On December 25, 2009, Adams performed on
In 2010, Adams released her book "Points of Power", based on one of the segments of her radio show Points of Power.[23]
Adams appeared on the 2011 BET Honors to sing her signature song "The Battle Is the Lord's" in honor of
Becoming
Adams' eleventh
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. The album title and release date has yet to be announced, but 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).[citation needed]
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.
Adams served as a spokesperson for the Fila Corporation's Operation Rebound, a program that addressed the concern of inner-city schoolchildren.[27]
Adams was inducted into Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority as an honorary member on July 8, 2018.[28]
Discography
- 1987: Just as I Am
- 1991: Through the Storm
- 1993: Save the World
- 1995: More Than a Melody
- 1996: Yolanda... Live in Washington
- 1998: Songs from the Heart
- 1999: Mountain High... Valley Low
- 2000: Christmas with Yolanda Adams
- 2001: The Experience
- 2001: Believe
- 2005: Day by Day
- 2007: What a Wonderful Time
- 2011: Becoming
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
In total, Adams has won four
See also
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ "5 Questions for Yolanda Adams on Her New Album". May 15, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams". GRAMMY.com. November 26, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams Live | Awards". YolandaAdamsLive. Retrieved September 3, 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Prudential Center Hosts McDonalds Gospelfest". NewJerseyStage. February 7, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "The 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards Roundup: Gospel Field". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. January 30, 2006. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams". Gospel Music Association. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ "Hopeville Tour". Variety. January 26, 2003. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Bobby Jones and Its Strongest Voice Prepare to Say Farewell". The New York Times. August 3, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams". PBS. July 4, 2020. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams inducted into Gospel Music Hall of Fame". FOX. May 16, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "2018 Tony Award Nominations: SpongeBob SquarePants and Mean Girls Lead the Pack". Playbill. May 1, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "2019 BET Soul Train Awards: The winners list". CNN. February 2, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams Opens Super Bowl 2020 With A Performance Of 'America the Beautiful'". February 2, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ "Distinguished Alumni". Houston independent school District. Archived from the original on February 3, 2006.
- ^ "About TSU > TSU Administration > Office of the President > Welcome". Texas Southern University. June 29, 2006. Archived from the original on December 13, 2007.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams – The Experience". GospelCity.com. April 23, 2001. Archived from the original on November 24, 2005.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams". CBN Music. Retrieved February 20, 2008.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams: Mountain High... Valley Low Review". GospelFlava.com. Retrieved February 20, 2007.
- ^ "Past Judges". Independent Music Awards. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Aretha Franklin on the Wendy Williams Show". March 6, 2011. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2011 – via YouTube.
- ^ "atoast2wealth.com". ww1.atoast2wealth.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams Biography". Christianmusic.about.com. August 27, 1961. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- ^ “Yolanda Adams Biography”, Musician Biographies: Musician personals, awards, and works. Accessed 2 Mar 2023.
- ^ "Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Inducts Five Honorary Members". Stylemagazine.com.
- ^ 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
- Official website
- Yolanda Adams at AllMusic
- Yolanda Adams at IMDb