Yolanda Adams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yolanda Adams
Adams in 2001
Background information
Birth name	Yolanda 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	Gospel R&B soul
Occupation(s)	Singer radio host actress
Years active	1982–present
Labels	Sound of Gospel Tribute/Benson Verity Elektra Atlantic Columbia N-House

Yolanda Yvette Adams (born August 27, 1961) is an American gospel singer, actress, and radio host. She is famous for her powerful voice and inspiring music. Yolanda is one of the best-selling gospel artists ever, selling over 10 million albums worldwide.

She has won many awards, including four Grammy Awards. She also has four Dove Awards, five BET Awards, and six NAACP Image Awards. People call her the "Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music." Variety magazine even called her the "Reigning Queen of Urban Gospel."

In 2009, Billboard named her the top gospel artist of the decade. This was thanks to her popular album Mountain High...Valley Low. In 2016, President Barack Obama gave her the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognized her volunteer work. She joined the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2017. In 2018, she was nominated for a Tony Award for her work on the musical SpongeBob SquarePants. Yolanda Adams opened Super Bowl LIV in 2020 by singing "America the Beautiful." She was also added to the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022.

Early Life and Education

Yolanda Adams was born in Houston, Texas. She is the oldest of six children. She finished Sterling High School in Houston in 1979. After studying at Texas Southern University, she worked as a schoolteacher. She also did some part-time modeling in Houston. Eventually, she decided to focus on singing full-time.

Musical Journey

Starting Her Career

Yolanda Adams first gained attention as a lead singer. She sang with Houston's Southeast Inspirational Choir. In 1982, the choir released a song called "For My Liberty." Yolanda was the main singer on this track. She signed with Sound of Gospel and released her first album, Just As I Am, in 1987.

In 1990, producer Ben Tankard discovered her. She then signed with his label, Tribute Records. She released Through The Storm with them. Her song "The Battle Is The Lord's" from the album Save the World became very popular. Her album More Than a Melody came out in 1995. It included the song "Gotta Have Love," which became her first music video.

Becoming a Mainstream Star

Yolanda Adams became widely known with her 1999 album Mountain High... Valley Low. This album was released on Elektra Records. Many famous artists and producers helped create this album. It sold over two million copies by 2000. This album also won Yolanda her first Grammy Award. Popular songs from this album include "Yeah" and "Open My Heart."

In 2000, she released a Christmas album. In 2001, her live album The Experience won her a second Grammy Award. Her album Believe came out in 2001. It featured the hit song "Never Give Up." This song became a gold record. She even performed it at the White House for President George W. Bush.

Yolanda also sang "I Believe" for the 2003 movie Honey. This song played during the final dance scene.

Later Albums

After a break, Yolanda Adams released Day By Day in 2005. This album included songs like "Be Blessed" and "Victory." "Victory" was featured in the movie The Gospel.

In 2007, she signed with Columbia Records. She released her second Christmas album, What a Wonderful Time, that same year.

Radio Show and Book

After her Christmas album, Yolanda Adams started her radio career. The Yolanda Adams Morning Show began airing in 2007. It was heard in over 26 different radio areas. The show ran for ten years, ending in 2016. It later relaunched in September 2019.

In 2010, Yolanda Adams released her first book. It is called "Points of Power." The book is based on a segment from her radio show. It shares ideas about living a positive, spirit-filled Christian life.

Yolanda Adams has also performed at many special events. In 2011, she sang "The Battle Is the Lord's" at the BET Honors. This was to honor actress Cicely Tyson. She also performed at the 53rd Grammy Awards. There, she joined other singers in a tribute to the legendary Aretha Franklin.

Recent Music

Yolanda Adams' eleventh studio album, Becoming, was released in 2011. The album's single, "Be Still," was very popular. At The BET Awards in 2012, Yolanda won the award for Best Gospel Artist. This was her fourth time winning this award.

In 2013, Yolanda announced she was working on her twelfth studio album. She mentioned that famous gospel producers like Donald Lawrence and Kirk Franklin would be helping.

Personal Life

Yolanda Adams has one daughter, Taylor Adams Crawford, born in 2001.

She also worked as a spokesperson for Fila Corporation's Operation Rebound. This program helped inner-city schoolchildren. In 2018, she became an honorary member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

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

Yolanda Adams has also appeared in several TV shows and movies:

Awards and Honors

Yolanda Adams has received many awards for her music. She has won four Grammy Awards and sixteen Stellar Gospel Music Awards. She also has four Dove Awards, one American Music Award, and seven NAACP Image Awards. In 2022, she was honored by being inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.

See also

In Spanish: Yolanda Adams para niños

• List of best-selling gospel music artists