Yolanda Adams (born in 1964) is an African-American singer, one of the most popular gospel music artists of the contemporary period. Along with Kirk Franklin, Adams is one of the first artists to blend R&B and gospel music, an achievement which, while it initially caused critcism among the conservative Christian church, later helped gospel gain airplay in secualar venues.

Biography

Adams originally worked as a schoolteacher and part-time model in Houston, Texas. Inspired by her mother, Adams turned to music and released her first album, Just as I Am, in 1988. By the mid-1990s, Adams was a popular and well-known performer, and in 1999 singed a major-label deal with Elektra Records, resulting in a number of successful albums.

Her first release on Elektra, Mountain High...Valley Low, won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, and its single "Open My Heart" was a Top 10 R&B hit and won the 2000 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song. Two years later, she won a second Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, this time for 2001's The Experience. In addition, Adams has recieved the Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist three times (in 2000, 2001, and 2002), and the 2001 Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist.

Discography

Albums

Sounds of Gospel release

• 1998: Just as I Am

Light release

• 1991: Through the Storm

Tribute/Verity releases

• 1993: Save the World
• 1995: More Than a Melody
• 1996: Shakin' the House: Live in L.A.
• 1996: Battle is the Lord
• 1998: Songs From the Heart

Elektra Records releases

• 1999: Mountain High...Valley Low
• 2000: Christmas with Yolanda Adams
• 2001: The Experience
• 2001: Believe

Atlantic Records release

• 2005: Day by Day

Singles

• 1996: "Gotta Have Love" (R&B #97)
• 2000: "Open My Heart" (US #57, R&B #10)
• 2002: "I'm Gonna Be Ready" (R&B #74)
• 2002: "Never Give Up" (R&B #79)
• 2003: "The Battle is the Lord's" (US #75)