Yolanda Adams

Biografia

• Yolanda Adams (born August 27, 1961) is a soul-inspiring American gospel and R&B singer-songwriter and record producer, hailing from Houston, Texas, U.S.

  Prior to belting her soaring vocals on stages across the world, Adams graduated from Texas Southern University and worked as a school teacher and part-time model. Later, during her time with Houston’s Southeast Inspirational Choir, she was the featured vocalist on the singles “For My Liberty” and “My Trust Lies In You”, which caught the attention of Thomas Whitfield of South and Gospel Records. Having signed with the label, Adams released her debut album “Just As I Am” in 1987, after which she moved to producer Ben Tankard’s indie label Tribute Records, releasing the album “Through the Storm”. Tankard’s vision for Adams was for her to hone a unique gospel/jazz style and sound, which was apparent on his 1994 video single “You Bring Out the Best In Me” on which she featured.

  In 1993 Adams released the album “Save the World” led by the single “The Battle Is The Lord’s”. Aided by the subsequent singles “Let Us Worship Him” and “This Joy”, the album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums. The record introduced the singer’s soulful gospel to a national audience as did its successor “More Than a Melody” in 1995. Featuring contributions from O‘Landa Draper and BeBe Winans, the singer supported the record with a national tour, which resulted in the live album “Yolanda…Live In Washington” in 1996.

  Led by the single “Only Believe” Adams released her sixth studio album “Songs from the Heart” in 1998, after which she moved to Elektra Records and enjoyed her most successful period to date. “Mountain High… Valley Low” was issued in September 1999 and spawned the popular gospel/R&B numbers “Open My Heart”, “Yeah”, and “Fragile Heart”. Peaking at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 and topping the Billboard Top Gospel Albums Chart, the album went on to win the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

  Adams’ first Christmas album “Christmas with Yolanda Adams” arrived in 2002, followed by her eighth studio album “The Experience” in 2001, which also earned the singer a Grammy for Best Contemporary Gospel Album. Led by the hit single “Never Give Up”, the full-length “Believe” was issued by Elektra Records in September 2001, after which she performed at the White House for George W. Bush. Following a four year break Adams returned to released “Day by Day” in 2005, “What a Wonderful Time” in 2007, and “Becoming” in 2011.

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