Five
Questions for...Yolanda Adams
(Essence.com, 12/01/00) Gospel's
greatest diva--her music, muses and on-the-way baby.
Some artists may seem more concerned
with racking up record sales and material possessions than styaing true
to their music, but not Yolanda Adams. Collecting massive props
throughout her stellar career, the contemporary gospel powerhouse and
Houston native refuses to compromise her potent spiritual message.
From her professional beginnings as a
Southeast Inspirational Choir featured soloist in 1985 to her current
success with Mountain High...Valley Low (including the song
"Open My Heart," which broke records as #10 on Billboard's
R&B chart), sister Yolanda has tongues testifying over a voice
that's as mighty as the spirit that moves her. As she caught a
breath during her busy schedule, we caught up with her to talk about her
music, her muses and the baby that's on the way.
Why do you feel
your music resonates with mainstream and gospel listeners alike?
Because I think everyone who's ever
gone through anything understands that that's the time to get in touch
with God. My music comforts and encourages people; it lets them
know that they're not by themselves and that they can have a
relationship with God. That's what "Open My Heart"
did. God is not so complicated that you can't get to Him; all you
have to do is exactly what the song says.
You recently
recorded a duet with Sting. How did that come about?
My friend, [producer] Narada Michael
Walden, was working on the UNICEF album [Tomorrow's Children].
Sting wanted to do a duet with someone, and everyone said, "Why
don't we get Yolanda?" Narada sent Mountain and
several other albums to Sting, who said, "I've got to do it with
her!" It was an awesome recording for me--Sting is a legend;
he's done everything in music. And I'm in the room singing with
him. It was just cool!
What music
inspires you?
I listen to everybody--Nancy Wilson,
Natalie Cole, Mary J. Blige--and everybody in gospel music, from the
quartets (the Williams Brothers, The Mighty Clouds of Joy) to Shirley
Caesar and Albertina Walker. I listen to different people,
according to what I'm doing that day. If I'm doing something
around the house, it's Whitney's The Greatest Hits; if I'm
contemplative, it's Oleta Adams.
Congratulations on
your pregnancy! Is this the first? When is the big
date?
Baby's due January 25th! Right
around the corner, girl. It's been wonderful. You never
really understand the depth of creation until it's a part of you.
It's beautiful!
How do you divide
time between your professional and personal life?
By having a very understanding
husband [financial advisor and former NFL player Timothy Crawford,
Jr.]! He's one of the best things in my life. He flew up on
weekends during the tour, then he'd go back early Monday when the stock
market opened. You learn what's important, and there are times
when you just have to say "no" because the music will always
be there.
Vonetta
Booker is a freelance writer who lives in Brooklyn. She's also the
editor of urban lifestyle e-zine Triscene.com.
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