Yolanda Adams â a name that is synonymous with modern gospel, has been topping charts since she was a teenager. With a score of albums under her belt, Adams admits to being just as excited with the release of her new project ‘Becoming’ as if it were her debut album. “Oh no no it never gets old! For an artist that is a true artist and not a performer just because, it never gets old,” she revealed to Singersroom. She also shared her optimistic view on the issues gospel music faces, being sure to refer to them as opportunities and not challenges. A natural motivational speaker, Adams charged gospel artists with being motivators of their listeners saying, “I believe that when you have this platform like we do in gospel music, it’s the time to encourage people â people are losing their jobs, we have folks overseas who are fighting in wars that were created by individuals years and years ago. So you have all of these dynamics where an encouraging word or an inspirational word that can keep someone moving forward. The opportunity is there, we just have to be strategic in the way that we approach things.” With a strong faith and genuine love for God and the gospel industry, Adams dished on the meaning behind her album, what life has taught her and even her new fashion line. The iconic Yolanda Adams continues to show her chameleon-like ability to change and grow with the times while remaining true to who she is. Follow us as she reveals who and what she is ‘becoming’.
Singersroom: Does the title of your new album, ‘Becoming’ hold any personal meaning for you?
Yolanda Adams: Well the title is called ‘Becoming’ and I have been on this journey in life for some time now and I will be 50-years-old this August. It has been a wonderful journey, however, that’s not to say that I haven’t had some situations to deal with but I have learned that on a daily basis I am becoming more of something. Thankfully, I’m becoming a better mom, a great friend, an amazing businesswoman. I just figured if I’m becoming all these things, what about everybody else?
Singersroom: I can sense that you are very excited about your new album! With all the releases you have under your belt, does it ever get old? Or are you equally excited each time?
Yolanda Adams: Oh no no it never gets old! For an artist that is a true artist and not a performer just because, it never gets old. A real artist takes their time, they want to do the best job and every time you put an album out it is from your heart. You want people to enjoy it and love it as much as you do. There is always the anticipation of are they going to like this? [Laughs] But I’m glad to say it’s a new feeling every single time.
Singersroom: Being a veteran in the gospel music industry, how have you seen the genre grow throughout the years?
Yolanda Adams: Well I’ve seen it from the inside out. I went from being a part of a choir to being a solo artist. I have seen the growth of gospel music in the mainstream â people love Kirk Franklin, they love Mary Mary, thank God they love Yolanda Adams [Laughs]. One thing about people in general is it doesn’t matter if you’re white, black, Hispanic or Asian â a time will come in your life where you’re going to need someone bigger than yourself. You’re going to need a push that momma can’t give you, granny can’t give you, aunts and uncles can’t give you, and it has to come from God. That’s why I think gospel music will always be a mainstream in our society.
Singersroom: What challenges do you think the gospel industry faces today and how can we overcome them?
Yolanda Adams: I don’t think so much that they are challenges, I see them as opportunities. I view life differently from a lot of people. I believe that when you have this platform like we do in gospel music, it’s the time to encourage people â people are losing their jobs, we have folks overseas who are fighting in wars that were created by individuals years and years ago. So you have all of these dynamics where an encouraging word or an inspirational word that can keep someone moving forward. The opportunity is there, we just have to be strategic in the way that we approach things. You can approach the subject of love without being vile and you can be really tender with it. You can approach having to start over again, there are people who have gotten divorces who have to start all over. I’ve been there so I understand the pain of that. So I would be the person to say hey it’s ok to start over but this time be careful. We just have to do it in such ways that we are mindful that there are people on the other end of this who really need it.
Singersroom: Seeing how you began your career at a young age, what advice would you give to those aspiring to follow the entertainment route?
Yolanda Adams: I would give this advice to any young person who wants to do anything of significance in the public eye. The main thing is to know as much as you can about the subject you are going into! For example, a person who wants to be a painter should know all the great painters, know all the techniques, know the different types of supplies you’ll need. Know the basics! Once you know the basics, hone in and find your niche because there is a God given talent in all of us â some of us have more than one. When you have perfected one, keep on going until you can’t go anymore. For performers, perform everywhere! Perform at birthday parties, wedding, anywhere you can. Nowadays you can put it on Youtube and you may get a million hits â Justin Bieber is one of the people that has happened to.
Singersroom: Finish the phrase “If I knew then what I know now…”
Yolanda Adams: If I knew how great life would be then like I know now, I would have definitely enjoyed life a little bit more. Because life does get better and I’m enjoying mine!
Singersroom: Being a singer as well as a nationally known radio personality, in what ways have you been able to touch audiences through ‘The Yolanda Adams Morning Show’ that you may not have been able to through music?
Yolanda Adams: Wow. Well the main thing is that radio is immediate. So with recordings, entertainment and television you’ve got to prepare and make sure all your i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed. With a morning show that has an audience of anywhere from two million to ten million on a given day, it’s a little different. We’re talking and this is immediate. What I say on this microphone is what people are hearing right now. I can’t go back and overdub or erase. Whatever comes out of my mouth girl just comes out right then [Laughs]. I thank God that I have gotten the chance to inspire people to be better. Not just with the words we speak during the Points of Power but encouraging them to live better lives, to exercise and drink more water because Christ came for us so we could live a balanced life.
Singersroom: You’ve conquered music, radio, and have even written a book – what is next for Yolanda Adams?
Yolanda Adams: The next step definitely is fashion! My online brochure is on YolandaAdamsLive.com they can check out some of the fashions. This is my fall line so it’s dressier for parties and things like that. In the fall there are business meetings, mixers and of course in the fall it gets cooler so we have a couple coats and capes. I am really proud of this line! We are going across the country doing trunk shows and we’re selling it online as well. If we can go around the United States and do trunk shows, we can be intimate with the ladies who are buying the clothes. It allows us to have a more one-on-one experience with the customer as opposed to just throwing something out there.
—— By: Interview By Aleta Watson
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