The oldest of six siblings, Adams was raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Sterling High School in Houston in 1979. After graduating from University of California Berkeley, she began a career as a schoolteacher and part-time model in Houston, Texas. Eventually she gave up teaching to perform full-time as a lead singer.
Musical career;
Beginnings;
Adams attracted the attention of Thomas Whitfield and Sound of Gospel Records as a lead singer in the Southeast Inspirational Choir. She signed a recording contract with Sound of Gospel which yielded her first album Just As I Am in 1987.[4] In 1990, she signed to Ben Tankard's independent label Tribute Records and released Through The Storm.
Two years later, Adams followed with Save the World, which included her first signature song "The Battle Is The Lord's". Her next release was 1995's More Than A Melody, which featured production work from Ben Tankard, O'Landa Draper, and BeBe Winans. The single "Gotta Have Love," from that album featuring Tony Terry on background vocals, gained mainstream notoriety and was her first single and music video. Yolanda... Live In Washington, released the following year, featured versions of material from her first two albums. The footage from this recording was released as a collection of two videos on VHS initially, and later as a single set on DVD.
Songs from the Heart was her final release for Verity Records and included "Only Believe" which was popular songs 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.
"Fragile Heart", was dedicated to the memory of Yolanda's long time road manager who died in 1998. Adams' first significant attention outside the urban contemporary gospel arena came with the release of Mountain High... Valley Low in 1999 on Elektra Records. Several mainstream artists and producers helped in the production of this album including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men), James "Big Jim" Wright (Mariah Carey, Nicole C. Mullen), Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Brandy), and Keith Thomas (BeBe & CeCe Winans). The album went Platinum in 2000 and won her a Grammy Award. Notable singles from the album include Yeah", "Fragile Heart", and "Open My Heart".
In 2000, Adams released a Christmas album, and in 2001 she released a live album (The Experience). The Experience netted Adams a second Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. Believe, which included the hit "Never Give Up" was released in 2001. She would later go on to perform this song at "The Salute to Gospel Music" at the White House during President George W. Bush's administration. Believe was certified Gold in 2002. The Divas Of Gospel, with Albertina Walker (queen of gospel), was also released in 2001.
Yolanda recorded a song for the 2003 film, Honey titled "I Believe" that 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.
Back after break;
After nearly four years without releasing an album, Adams returned in 2005 with Day By Day. Although charting higher than Mountain High...Valley Low on the Billboard 100, and Billboard R&B Albums Chart, It didn't get a RIAA certification. The album featured the singles "Be Blessed," "Someone Watching Over You," "This Too Shall Pass", and "Victory" which was prominently featured in the movie The Gospel. After ending her long association with Atlantic Records, They released a greatest hits collection entitled The Best of Me in May 2007. Adams signed with Columbia Records in 2007. Columbia released What a Wonderful Time, her second holiday collection in October 2007. "Hold On" was released as the lead single.
2008-Present;
In 2007 after releasing her holiday album with Columbia, She stated in different interviews that she was currently in the planning stages for a new album. Her official website states that it will be a duets project including possible collaborations with Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Natalie Cole, Trin-i-Tee 5:7, and Mary Mary. In a interview with Commercial Appeal. Adams stated that Chaka Khan, and Shirley Caesar might be on the new project also. In March 2009, she was interview by a FOX station in Houston, where she stated that her women's clothing line and new album is still in progress. The new album is currently untitled, and will be out in the last quarter of the year. She stated that the new album will be full of dance tracks. Adams' may do a secular album in the future.
Adams' song "Hold On" is included in a compilation in support of Barack Obama's campaign entitled 'Yes We Can: Voices of a Grass Roots Movement'.
Adams performed the National Anthem at the 2009 BCS National Championship game between the #1 University of Florida and #2 University of Oklahoma in Dolphin Stadium (Miami, Florida).
Personal life;
In 1997, Yolanda Adams married former NFL player Tim Crawford. The couple divorced in August 2004. They had one daughter, Taylor Ayanna, in 2001. Yolanda served as a spokesperson for the FILA Corporation's Operation Rebound, a program that addressed the concern of inner city schoolchildren. On October 15, 2008, Yolanda Adams' mother Carolyn Jean Adams died.
It's Gon Be Nice
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's gon be nice, it's gon be nice
Whatever's in store for me, it's gon be nice
It's crazy right now, Lord, but that’s when You'll shine
I can’t stop shouting knowing it’s gon be nice
Well, well
You never promised me that my days would be problem free
Right now, it seems that my troubles will never end
I know You promise to be my closest friend and it's gonna be nice
It's gon be nice, it's gon be nice
Whatever's in store for me, it's gon be nice
It's crazy right now, Lord, but that’s when You'll shine
I can’t stop shouting knowing it’s gon be nice
Well, well
I gotta remind myself daily who lives inside of me
And when I stay close to You, close to me You're gonna be
No more crying about my situation, I know what I gotta do
I gotta pray, gotta trust, gotta believe, depend on You, yeah yeah yeah
It's gon be nice, it's gon be nice
Whatever's in store for me, it's gon be nice
It's crazy right now, Lord, but that’s when You'll shine
I can’t stop shouting knowing it’s gon be nice
So I don’t have the right to give up
I don’t have the right to give in
You're gonna bring me through, oh
I’m gonna put my trust in You
I don’t have the right to give up
I don’t have the right to give in
You always brought me through
So I’m gonna put my, my, my, my trust in You
It's gon be nice, it's gon be nice
Whatever's in store for me, it's gon be nice
It's crazy right now, Lord, but that’s when You'll shine
I can’t stop shouting knowing it’s gon be nice
It's crazy right now, Lord, but that’s when You'll shine
I can’t stop shouting knowing it’s gonna be nice
In the song "It's Gon Be Nice," Yolanda Adams expresses her trust and faith in God despite facing difficult times. The lyrics indicate that although life may be tough and overwhelming, she believes that God's presence and promises will bring her through whatever struggles lay ahead. She acknowledges that God never promised a trouble-free life, but she embraces the idea that God promised to always take care of her. She encourages herself to remain steadfast in her faith and trust in God's plan regardless of the situation. By remaining close to God and focusing on prayer, trust, and belief, she knows that things will turn out in her favor.
The song's lyrics reveal a message of hope, positivity, and encouragement to listeners who may be struggling with life's challenges. The song also highlights the notion of surrendering one's problems to a higher power and acknowledging that there are things beyond one's control. It offers a reminder to have faith and trust in a God who is always present to bring comfort and reassurance.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, well
Starting the song with a self-assurance and a positive tone.
It's gon be nice, it's gon be nice
Repeating a positive affirmation, stating that everything is going to turn out well in the end.
Whatever's in store for me, it's gon be nice
Believing in the goodness of what's yet to come.
It's crazy right now, Lord, but that’s when You'll shine
Acknowledging that there are challenges and tough times, but also recognizing that God will help and guide through.
I can’t stop shouting knowing it’s gon be nice
Celebrating the future with a sense of joy and hope.
You never promised me that my days would be problem free
Being realistic about the struggles of life, and that there are no guarantees that everything will be smooth sailing.
But You did promise to always take care of me
Trusting in God's promise of guidance and care.
Right now, it seems that my troubles will never end
Acknowledging the present difficulty and its overwhelming feeling.
I know You promise to be my closest friend and it's gonna be nice
Resting in God's promise of being an ever-present friend and a help in every situation.
I gotta remind myself daily who lives inside of me
Making a conscious effort to remember that God is with us all the time.
And when I stay close to You, close to me You're gonna be
Believing that by keeping a close relationship with God, He will never leave or forsake us.
No more crying about my situation, I know what I gotta do
Making a decision to stop complaining and instead take action towards seeking help and guidance from God.
I gotta pray, gotta trust, gotta believe, depend on You, yeah yeah yeah
Listing essential things to remember in order to have a solid relationship with God.
So I don’t have the right to give up
Understanding that giving up is not an option.
I don’t have the right to give in
Not giving in to the negative thoughts and attitudes.
You're gonna bring me through, oh
Having faith that God will take one through difficult situations.
I’m gonna put my trust in You
Making a clear decision to trust in God.
It's crazy right now, Lord, but that’s when You'll shine
Believing that God will show up and show off in the times of trouble.
I can’t stop shouting knowing it’s gonna be nice
A repeated reminder that things will turn out well in the end, and that there are underlying reasons to celebrate.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY S. CRAWFORD, YOLANDA YVETTE ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind