Yolanda Adams has been a shining light in gospel music for over four decades, and with her latest album, Sunny Days, she’s showing the world she’s still evolving. Rooted in her faith and love for God, the project is a joyful fusion of gospel and house music—a bold celebration of how Black music is deeply interconnected.
The lead single, “Church Doors,” featuring Sir The Baptist, Donald Lawrence & Co, has been making waves, earning Adams a 2025 Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance/Song. The Grammy nomination is a major milestone for Sunny Days, an album Adams shares has been years in the making. Starting in 2018, the project was delayed by busy schedules and the pandemic, but Adams sees the timing as divine.
Teaming up with legendary producers like Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Donald Lawrence, Adams infused the project with upbeat sounds and heartfelt messages. “I’m joyful, I love to dance, and I want to put something into music that makes people happy about their testimony, their lives and what they’ve gone through,” Adam shared.
“Church Doors,” with its house-inspired beat, sets the tone for the album. The upbeat vibe was created in the spirit of Adams own point of mind during the 2020 pandemic, sharing, “there was this sense of optimism that flooded me. I did a lot of walking in the park because that was available and safe. I found this new surge of encouragement and courage, and trying to speak gratitude and appreciation for where we were in life because – hey, we didn’t know what was about to happen.”
Adams has had a whirlwind year. She just wrapped up The Reunion Tour, performing alongside gospel icons like Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp and The Clark Sisters. For Adams, the tour felt more like a family gathering than a series of concerts. “We’ve been through so much together—seen our kids grow up, celebrated graduations, shared life’s highs and lows,” she said. “To travel and perform these songs that people have lived by is nothing short of amazing.”
The tour also gave Adams the chance to share the stage with her daughter, allowing her to witness firsthand the legacy her mother has built. “She’s seen it from a distance growing up, but now she’s experiencing it behind the scenes. It’s amazing, we’re so grateful,” Adams said.
While music remains her foundation, Adams has also embraced acting, most recently starring in BET’s Kingdom Business as Denita Jordan. “She’s a piece of work!” Adams said with a laugh. The singer-actor shares that it’s fun to play a character so different from who she is, and the role gave her a chance to stretch creatively.
As Adams celebrates her Grammy nomination and continues to inspire audiences, she’s clear about what drives her. With Sunny Days, Yolanda Adams once again proves why she’s a gospel legend—uplifting spirits, crossing boundaries and reminding us of the power of faith and joy.
