Yolanda Adams
From Wikinfo
| Yolanda Adams | |
|---|---|
| File:1yolanda2006.jpg Yolanda Adams
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Yolanda Yvette Adams |
| Born | August 27, 1962 |
| Origin |  Houston, Texas USA
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| Genre(s) | Gospel, R&B, Pop/Adult Contemporary |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instrument(s) | vocals |
| Years active | 1987-present |
| Label(s) | Sounds Of Gospel (1988) Benson (1991) Tribute (1993-1996) Verity (1997-1998) Elektra (1998-2004) Atlantic (2004-present) |
| Website | Official Website |
Yolanda Yvette Adams (born August 27, 1962 in Houston, Texas) is a American singer, with 3 Grammy Awards. She is one of the most popular gospel music artists of the contemporary period. Along with Kirk Franklin, Adams is among the artists who have achieved the greatest critical and commercial success in blending R&B styles and gospel music, an achievement which, while it initially caused criticism among the conservative Christian church, later helped gospel gain airplay in secular venues.
Contents |
Biography
Raised as the oldest of six siblings in Houston, Texas, Adams grew up in a household where she was exposed to musical influences ranging from classical to gospel to Motown. She sang throughout her teen years and continued performing on weekends. Adams graduated from Sterling High School in Houston in 1979 [1].
Following her graduation from college even as she began a career as a schoolteacher and part-time model in Houston, Texas.[2]. Inspired by her mother, she began to pursue music and garner significant attention as a lead singer. Eventually she gave up teaching in order to perform full-time.
As a lead singer in the Southeast Inspirational Choir (including a powerful, enthusiastic turn as the lead on "My Liberty," - written by the late Carl Preacher - among others) she attracted the attention of Thomas Whitfield and Sound of Gospel Records. Sound of Gospel, signed her to a recording contract which yielded her debut album Just As I Am in 1988. Her strong, soulful voice and striking, statuesque beauty scored quickly with Gospel audiences, and the debut hit the Gospel top 10. She later signed to Ben Tankard's independent label Tribute Records in 1990 and began a string of top 10 Gospel albums that made her a staple on Gospel radio and awards shows.
A decade after her arrival, Adams received her first significant attention outside the Gospel realm with her signing by Elektra Records and releasing Mountain High...Valley Low in 1999. Working with top producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men), Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary) and Keith Thomas (BeBe and CeCe Winans) made for a contemporary urban album while holding to the timeless moral and spiritual themes that Adams' core fanbase was built on.
Mountain High bore a basket of great cuts, including the up-tempo "Time to Change" and "Yeah", as well as the poignant song of loss and faith "Fragile Heart," dedicated to the memory of Yolanda's long time road manager who passed away in 1998. The album's biggest single came in the form of the ballad "Open My Heart" which took Urban Adult Contemporary radio by storm. This would be Adams' first ever top 5 R&B and top 40 Pop hit. "Open My Heart" stayed on the charts for over a year. It was also instrumental in winning Adams her first Grammy, a well-deserved "Best Contemporary Soul Gospel" award.
After releasing a Christmas album in 2000, Adams followed up Mountain High with a live album in 2001 simply entitled The Experience. Consisting mainly of material from Mountain High... Valley Low, the live album captured her magnetic stage performance and featured a standout cover of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly." The album was enough to net yet another Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.
Yolanda's next endeavor Believe, released later in 2001, was a safer, less ambitious disc that scored moderately with the single "Never Give Up," but failed to match the critical accomplishment of its predecessor. Thereafter, Adams then took a four year hiatus that included both a new baby and an unfortunate divorce. Yolanda also served as a spokesperson for the FILA Corporation's Operation Rebound program, addressing the concerns of inner city school children.
The end of Yolanda's hiatus was perfectly timed to miss the label shuffle that resulted in Elektra Records being absorbed by Atlantic Records. Her eager comeback album Day By Day was well received and featured the singles "This Too Shall Pass" as well as "Victory". The latter was featured prominently in the movie The Gospel. Recently on Trinity Broadcasting Network's Praise the Lord, Yolanda told host Kirk Franklin that a new cd is forthcoming in 2007 along with her first clothing line.
Adams is now considered by many to be the "first lady of modern Gospel". She has fashioned an enviable career over the past 15+ years through a combination of class, grace and plain old great singing.
Adams sang the national anthem at the AFC Championship in 2007.
Personal life
In 1988, Adams married Troy Mason. That marriage ended in divorce less than one year later. In 1997, Adams married former NFL player Tim Crawford. They had one daughter, Taylor Ayanna, in 2001. However, in August 2004, Adams filed for and obtained a divorce from Crawford.
Vocal Profile
- Note that Original research is acceptable on Wikinfo.
Voice
- Spinto Soprano
Highest note
- C#6 in "Holy Spirit (with Southeast Inspirational Choir)"
Lowest note
- C3 in "Never Give Up"
Discography
Albums
| Album cover | Album information |
|---|---|
| File:Yolanda1.gif | Just As I Am
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| File:Yolanda2.jpg | Through The Storm
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| File:Yolanda3.jpg | Save The World
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| File:Yolanda4.jpg | More Than A Melody
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| File:Yolanda5.jpg | Yolanda...Live In Washington
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| File:Yolanda6.jpg | Songs From The Heart
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| File:Yolanda7.jpg | The Best Of Yolanda Adams
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| File:Yolanda8.jpg | Mountain High... Valley Low
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| File:Yolanda9.jpg | Christmas With Yolanda Adams
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| File:Yolanda10.jpg | Believe
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| File:Yolanda11.jpg | The Experience
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| File:Yolanda12.jpg | The Praise And Worship Songs Of Yolanda Admas
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| File:Yolanda14.jpg | Day By Day
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| File:Yolanda13.jpg | The Essential Yolanda Adams
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| File:Nocover.png | Intimacy[3]
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Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US R&B/Hip-Hop | |||
| 1993 | "The Battle Is the Lord's" | - | - | Save The World |
| 1995 | "Open Arms" | - | - | More Than A Melody |
| 1995 | "Gotta Have Love" | - | #97 | More Than a Melody |
| 1996 | "The Battle Is the Lord's [LIVE]" | #75 | - | Yolanda...Live In Washington |
| 1998 | "Only Believe" | - | - | Songs From The Heart |
| 1998 | "Is Your All On The Altar" | - | - | Songs From The Heart |
| 1998 | "Still I Rise" | - | - | Songs From The Heart |
| 1999 | "Yeah" | - | - | Mountain High...Valley Low |
| 1999 | "Open My Heart" | #57 | #10 | Mountain High...Valley Low |
| 1999 | "Yeah" | - | - | Mountain High...Valley Low |
| 2000 | "Fragile Heart" | - | - | Mountain High...Valley Low |
| 2000 | "The Things We Do" | - | - | Mountain High...Valley Low |
| 2001 | "I'm Gonna Be Ready" | - | #74 | Believe |
| 2001 | "I Gotta Believe" | - | - | Believe |
| 2001 | "Never Give Up" | - | #79 | Believe |
| 2005 | "Someone Watching Over You" | - | #59 | Day by Day |
| 2005 | "Victory" | - | - | Day by Day |
| 2005 | "This Too Shall Pass" | - | - | Day By Day |
| 2005 | "Be Blessed" | - | - | Day By Day |
Videos
- "Gotta Have Love" (Tribute, 1996)
- "Yeah" (Elektra, 1999)
- "Open My Heart" (Elektra, 1999)
- "I Believe I Can Fly" (Elektra, 2000)
- "Never Give Up" (Elektra, 2001)
- "This Too Shall Pass" (Atlantic, 2005)
Guest Contributions
| Year | Title | Artist | Album | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "This Too Shall Pass" | Crystal Lewis & Yolanda Adams | Sisters: The Story Goes On (Various Artists) | Warner Alliance | |
| 1997 | "Wholly Holy" | Everette Harp featuring Yolanda Adams | What's Going On | Blue Note | |
| 2000 | "Shining Star" | Yolanda Adams | Music From & Inspired By Jesus: The Epic Mini-Series | Sparrow/Capitol | Cover of an Earth Wind & Fire song. |
| 2000 | "If We Could Remember" | Yolanda Adams | Sum of All Fears (Soundtrack) | ||
| 2002 | "Higher Ground" | Karen Clark Sheard featuring Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Dorinda Clark Cole, Mary Mary, and Missy Elliott | 2nd Chance | Elektra | Also featured as a bonus track on Missy Elliott's Miss E... So Addictive. |
| 2002 | "Brand New Day" | Karen Clark Sheard featuring Yolanda Adams | 2nd Chance | Elektra | |
| 2004 | "I Believe" | Yolanda Adams | Honey (Soundtrack) | Elektra | Produced by Rodney Jerkins. |
| 2004 | "I Believe I Can Fly" | Kenny G. featuring Yolanda Adams | At Last... The Duets Album | Arista | |
| 2005 | "Afterwhile" | Kirk Franklin featuring Yolanda Adams | Hero | Fo Yo Soul/Verity | |
| 2006 | "Everyday (Family Reunion)" | Yolanda Adams, Chaka Khan, Gerald Levert, Carl Thomas | Madea's Family Reunion (Soundtrack) | Motown | Nominated for a Grammy Award. |
| 2006 | "Me Dance" | Yolanda Adams | Jack's Big Music Show (Season One) (Soundtrack) | Nick Records | |
| 2006 | "Where Love Begins" | Patti LaBelle featuring Yolanda Adams | The Gospel According To Patti LaBelle | Umbrella Records | |
| 2006 | "I Wish" | Yolanda Adams, Patti LaBelle, & Fantasia | Happy Feet (Soundtrack) | Atlantic Records | Cover of a Stevie Wonder song. |
| 2007 | "Step Aside" | Yolanda Adams | Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls (Soundtrack) | Atlantic Records |
Video Contributions
- Shakin' the House: Live in Los Angeles (March 1996): song selections: "Even Me", "You Know that I Know", "I'll Always Remember" and "The Lord is With Us in This Place"
- Come Together - A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music (Summer 2001) song selection: "Imagine"
- The Concert for World Children's Day (Summer 2002) song selection: "I Believe I Can Fly"
- A Clay Aiken Christmas (December 2004) song selection: "Oh Holy Night", "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (w/Clay Aiken and Barry Manilow) and "Because It's Christmas (w/Aiken and Manilow)
Awards
- Won Four Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards
- 1992 Traditional Gospel Album of the Year - Through the Storm
- 1992 Traditional Gospel Song of the Year - Through the Storm
- 1999 Traditional Gospel Song of the Year - Is Your All on the Altar
- 2005 Special Event Cd of the Year - The Passion of Christ (song: How Many Lashes)
- Won Seven NAACP Image Awards
- 2000 Outstanding Gospel Artist, Contemporary
- 2001 Outstanding Song for "Open My Heart"
- 2001 Outstanding Gospel Artist, Contemporary
- 2001 Outstanding Female Artist
- 2001 Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series or Special - Soul Train Awards
- 2002 Outstanding Gospel Artist, Contemporary
- 2006 Outstanding Gospel Artist
- Won Three Grammy Awards and currently nominated for two
- 1999 Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album - Mountain High, Valley Low
- 2001 Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album - The Experience
- 2006 Best Gospel Song - Be Blessed from Day by Day
- 2007 Best Gospel Song (nomination) - Victory from Day by Day & Gospel Soundtrack
- 2007 Best R&B Performance Group or Duo w/Vocals (nomination - Everyday (w/Chaka Khan, Carl Thomas & Gerald Levert) from Madea's Family Reunion Soundtrack
- Won One American Music Award
- 2001 Contemporary/Inspirational Artist (first to win in this category)
- Won One Soul Train Music Award
- 2001 Best R&B Soul Single, Female - Open My Heart
- Won Three BET Awards
- 2001 - Best Gospel Artist
- 2002 - Best Gospel Artist
- 2003 - Best Gospel Artist
RIAA Certifications
- Mountain High, Valley Low - CERTIFIED PLATINUM - September 14, 2000
- Believe - CERTIFIED GOLD - July 16, 2002
- The Best of Yolanda Adams - CERTIFIED GOLD - November 5, 2004
Trivia
- Yolanda's 2005 Yolanda Today Tour featured mainstream artists Chaka Khan and Ruben Studdard on select dates in order to attract a wider audience to a gospel concert.
- Yolanda was selected to pay tribute to Chaka Khan during a the 2006 BET Awards where Khan was to receive a Lifetime Achievement award. Yolanda performed "Sweet Thing" as well as later joining Khan, India.Arie, and Prince on "I'm Every Woman".[4]
- She is sometimes referred to as the "Whitney Houston" of Gospel Music because of the two singers' similarly strong vocals.
References
- ^ "Distinguished Alumni". Houston Independent School District. http://www.houstonisd.org/HISD/portal/article/front/0,2731,20856_67359489_94477637,00.html.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams - The Experience". GospelCity.com. April 23, 2001. http://www.gospelcity.com/dynamic/music-articles/reviews/148.
- ^ "BET's Celebration of Gospel Takes You Higher". The Urban Network. January 26, 2007. http://www.urbannetwork.com/cms/index.php?news=851.
- ^ Maltais, Michelle (June 29, 2006). "Best In Show". The Envelope. http://theenvelope.latimes.com/music/env-et-betawards29jun29,0,3370005.story?coll=env-music.
External links
- Yolanda Adams at the Internet Movie Database
- Yolanda Adams at Atlantic Records
- Official Yolanda Adams Website
- Yolanda Adams Clothes Line Website - Could Be Under Construction
References
- Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "Yolanda_Adams" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yolanda_Adams, used under the GNU Free Documentation License
