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.
Victory
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus
Yes I do
He is a mighty conqueror
In him I will trust all my battles he'll fight
I've got, got the victory
I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus
For me he died but he rose on the third day
Truly I've been through the storm and rain
I know everything about heartache and pain
But God carried me through it all
Without his protection I would surely fall
I've been broke, without a dime to my name
But all my bills got paid
Because I called on Jesus' name
You can't tell me that God isn't real
'Cause I've got the victory
And that's why I'm still here
I've got, got the victory
I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus
Yes I do
He is a mighty conqueror
In him I will trust all my battles he'll fight
I've got, got the victory
I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus
For me he died but he rose on the third day
That's why I have true victory every day
I'm not worried about material things I don't have
I'm just blessed 'cause I know that my savior's there
Because I know that my blessing is on the way
I can't see it right now but I stand by faith
I've fought many, many battles in his name
I've held up the blood-stained banner
And proclaimed that Jesus is the truth and the light
Believe me when I say he will make it right
I've got, got the victory
I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus
Yes I do
He is a mighty conqueror
In him I will trust all my battles he'll fight
I've got, got the victory
I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus
For me he died but he rose on the third day
That's why I have true victory every day
Yeah, I got the victory, yeah
I got the victory, yeah, yeah, yeah
And if you got the victory, sing along with me
Yeah, I've got the victory, yeah
I got the victory, yeah, yeah, yeah
Sing it with me, I've got the victory
I've got, got the victory
I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus
Yes I do
He is a mighty conqueror
In him I will trust all my battles he'll fight
I've got, got the victory
I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus
For me he died but he rose on the third day
That's why I have true victory every day
The song "Victory" by Yolanda Adams is a powerful declaration of faith and trust in God. The lyrics are focused on the singer's personal experiences with hardship and the ways in which God has shown up to deliver them from these difficult situations. The chorus repeats the phrase "I've got the victory," emphasizing the singer's confidence in God's ability to help them overcome any obstacle.
In the first verse, the lyrics proclaim Jesus as a mighty conqueror and promise to trust in him to fight all battles. The second verse highlights the singer's specific experiences with difficulty, including financial struggles and times of great pain. However, the focus is not on these hardships themselves but on the way in which God has provided the singer with strength and support in the face of adversity. The third verse affirms the singer's faith in the coming blessings that God has promised, even if they may not yet be visible.
Overall, this song is a testament to the powerful impact of faith and trust in God, even in the most difficult of circumstances. It is a reminder to those who may be going through tough times that they are not alone, and that God is always there to provide comfort and support.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got, got the victory
I possess the triumph over my life and obstacles
I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus
I have achieved victory through faith in God
Yes I do
I am sure of my victory and faith in God
He is a mighty conqueror
God is powerful and can conquer all things
In him I will trust all my battles he'll fight
I believe in God to fight all of my battles for me
For me he died but he rose on the third day
Jesus died and rose again to grant me eternal life
That's why I have true victory every day
I have daily victory because of my faith in Jesus
Truly I've been through the storm and rain
I have faced difficult times in my life
I know everything about heartache and pain
I have experienced pain and suffering
But God carried me through it all
God has helped me get through all my problems
Without his protection I would surely fall
I rely on God's protection to stay strong
I've been broke, without a dime to my name
I have faced financial difficulties
But all my bills got paid
God has provided for me financially
Because I called on Jesus' name
I trust in Jesus to provide for me
You can't tell me that God isn't real
My faith in God is unshakeable
And that's why I'm still here
I am alive because of God's protection and guidance
I'm not worried about material things I don't have
I am not concerned about what I lack materially
I'm just blessed 'cause I know that my savior's there
I am grateful for God's presence in my life
Because I know that my blessing is on the way
I trust that God will bless me in the future
I can't see it right now but I stand by faith
I trust in God's plan even when I cannot see it
I've fought many, many battles in his name
I have faced many challenges through my faith in God
And proclaimed that Jesus is the truth and the light
I believe in Jesus as the embodiment of truth and enlightenment
Believe me when I say he will make it right
I trust that God will make things right in the end
Yeah, I got the victory, yeah
I celebrate my victory in God
And if you got the victory, sing along with me
I encourage others to join me in celebrating their victory in God
Sing it with me, I've got the victory
I invite others to join me in singing about my victory in God
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steven Jordan, Trevor Smith, Christopher Wallace, Sean Combs, Bill Conti, Jason Phillips
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind