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Anne Wilson’s Rebel, which fuses Christian and country music, arrives at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart dated May 4. It also opens at No. 10 on Top Country Albums.
In its launch week (April 19-25), Rebel earned a weekly career-best 16,000 equivalent album units in the U.S., with 10,000 in album sales, according to Luminate.
The set is the first to premiere in the top 10 of both Top Christian Albums and Top Country Albums simultaneously since March 2021, when Carrie Underwood’s My Savior bowed in the penthouse on both charts.
Wilson co-authored all 16 tracks on her new LP, the Lexington, Ky., native’s second full-length.
Wilson recently told Billboard, “Writing [Rebel], producing it and releasing it in, like, five weeks was very fast, but it’s been cool to see the reaction and how my music has been able to go to both country and Christian platforms and be appreciated in both.”
Wilson’s first full project, My Jesus, entered Top Christian Albums at No. 1 in May 2022 with 13,000 equivalent album units. It followed her introductory live EP, My Jesus: Live in Nashville, which arrived at No. 17 in August 2021 and hit No. 12 that October.
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The first Christian radio single from Rebel is “Strong,” which ranks at its No. 3 high on Christian Airplay with 5.7 million audience impressions. On the streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Christian Songs chart, “Strong” holds at its No. 4 best, also driven by 1.7 million official U.S. streams (up 12%).
Wilson has earned one No. 1, among four top 10s, on Hot Christian Songs and two leaders on Christian Airplay. Her freshman single, “My Jesus,” dominated the former for four frames and the latter for six weeks beginning in August 2021. Her holiday track “I Still Believe in Christmas” followed, leading Christian Airplay for a week and peaking at No. 15 on Hot Christian Songs.
So far, one Rebel single has been introduced to country radio: “Rain in My Rearview,” being promoted by EMI Nashville (while Wilson’s Christian songs are being worked by Capitol Christian). Both are under the Universal Music Group Nashville umbrella.
In 2021, with nearly four decades of recording under her belt, 15-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans released her first live album, Believe for It. However, with the world still reeling from COVID, she and her team were forced to shift the dynamics of making the album, recording the project in an intimate setting of about 50 people in Nashville.
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For her new album, More Than This, out April 26 via PureSprings Gospel/Fair Trade Services, Winans knew she wanted another shot at doing a live album. This time, the project was recorded at downtown Nashville venue Rocketown, with an audience of around 1,200 members.
“I wanted to experience the live audience,” Winans tells Billboard. “The last record was powerful, and God blessed it. But to hear the live audience on this one, it takes it to a whole other place for me.”
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As with her previous album, Winans sets classic worship songs alongside modern ones. On More Than This, classics such as “Sanctuary” and “Oh the Blood of Jesus” are tucked alongside modern worship fare — such as Chris Tomlin’s recent hit “Holy Forever,” Elevation Worship’s “Worthy” and Maverick City Music’s “Refiner,” as well as two songs Winans co-wrote, the title track (which features musician Todd Dulaney) and “Be Still and Know.”
Winans reunited with producer Kyle Lee, as well as co-producers Thomas Hardin, Jr. and Tyrone Jackson, for the new album. She notes that they carefully selected the dozen songs that make up the tracklist, with the intent of weaving an upbeat, joyful message throughout the project.
“We got the chance to create a worship service more than a record, a time of worship that would tie the old with the new,” Winans says. “I know a lot of people don’t listen to whole albums nowadays, but I like to create a piece of work that you can listen from the beginning to the end, and you connect that thread all the way through.”
Both performing live and performing cover songs presented its own unique challenges in the recording process of the album.
“You have to rehearse with the band and singers, and learn the songs,” says Winans, who is managed by MWS Group, which also manages CCM pioneer Michael W. Smith. “If I had my preference I would learn the songs, tour the songs, then do the record — because then you’re very familiar with the songs and the performance, you have a tight feel to it. But I went in with a lot of prayer, asking God to help me remember everything and spent a lot of time with my producer and rehearsing so that when you get in front of that live audience, you’re just able to flow with the songs.”
Music has been a mainstay for Winans’ entire life, as she began singing as part of the larger Winans family group, before CeCe joined her brother BeBe to form a duo. They released their first album, Lord Lift Us Up, in 1984. A few years later, they signed with Capitol Records and issued their 1987 project BeBe & CeCe Winans. The duo issued numerous Gospel hits such as “Lost Without You” and “I’ll Take You There” (featuring Mavis Staples), before they launched solo careers. In 1995, CeCe released the debut solo album, Alone in His Presence, which went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA. To date, she has released 11 solo studio albums.
The title track to Believe For It brought another hit for Winans, reaching the top 10 on the Christian Airplay chart in 2021 and becoming a 12-week No. 1 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart in 2022. She followed with her rendition of Bethel Music’s “Goodness of God.” In 2023, Winans also notched other Billboard year-end accolades including top gospel artist, female; as well as top gospel song (“Goodness of God”).
Where “Believe For It” and “Goodness of God” were ballads, “That’s My King,” the current single from her new album, frames worship lyrics with a danceable groove.
“Kyle brought me this song and when I heard it, I was like, ‘This is incredible,’” Winans relates of the song, which is currently at No. 25 on the Christian Airplay chart. “It’s fun, and it’s upbeat, not just in tempo but in its message.
“I think sometimes we forget because we do associate church and God with being in a solemn assembly. He is to be reverenced, but He said in his presence, there’s fullness of joy,” she continues. “That’s not something to keep quiet, but that’s something to proclaim and to share so that other people can have hope too. And I think this song embodies all of it. ‘That’s My King’ reminds us that we have hope.”
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That joyous spirit in the song gets amplified when she performs it each night on her current The Goodness Tour, which runs through May.
“In our live show, we’ve added pompoms. I’m like, ‘This is a cheer. We got to cheer this. It’s a party,’” she explains. “It’s one of those songs that is contagious, so full of joy. It’s like cooking a good meal. You put all of the ingredients in there, then you stir it up and you get the full benefit of the flavor.”
The album closes with “In a Little While,” a song written by Winans’ son Alvin Love III.
“It’s a great, powerful message to end the album with,” Winans says. “It’s another song that makes you want to dance, is joyful. That’s one of the songs I played for Kyle because it’s been years since [Winans’ home church choir] Nashville Life recorded it, and it has an older, retro sound. That was a song that he was like, ‘I don’t know about this,’ but I was like, ‘This is one we have to do.’ That night when we recorded it, everybody was jumping around, singing, nobody wanted to leave. He came back to me and said, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re so right.”
Songs from More Than This will likely be included in the setlist when Winans brings her third annual Generations Live conference to Nashville’s Belmont University on May 10-11. The conference will feature guests Joyce Meyer, Jackie Hill Perry, Dr. Anita Phillips, Sheryl Brady, Ashley Phillips, Andrea Mellini and Nashville Life Music.
“I think last year we saw four generations of women attend,” Winans says. ‘My family will be there. I’m so grateful I still have my mom. She’s 87, and my daughter will be speaking this year. I’m so proud of her. I am looking forward to laughing. I’m looking forward to crying, to seeing generations come together.”
On Thursday, the music world lost an irreplaceable voice. In a statement to Billboard, a representative for Grammy-winning Christian contemporary music artist and American Idol alum Mandisa confirmed that the singer passed at age 47 in her home.
“We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased,” read the statement. “At this time, we do not know the cause of death or any further details. We ask for your prayers for her family and close-knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
A contestant on season 5 of American Idol, Mandisa went on to find considerable success in the Christian music industry. All six of her studio albums reached the Billboard 200, with half of those LPs reaching No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart: 2007’s True Beauty, 2013’s Overcomer and 2017’s Out of the Dark. She has also sent several songs onto Hot Christian Songs, including the chart-toppers “Stronger” and “Overcomer,” the latter of which spent a whopping 10 weeks atop the ranking.
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In 2014, Mandisa won her first and only Grammy, taking home best contemporary Christian music album for Overcomer. In addition to her five career Grammy nominations, the star accumulated 15 GMA Dove Award nominations, including a win for pop/contemporary album of the year for Overcomer.
On Friday (April 19), Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper Paul Abdul, who served as a judge during Mandisa’s Idol season, called the late vocalist a “true beacon of light.” In a statement to People, she said, “Her warmth and unwavering kindness towards everyone, even in the face of harsh criticism, was truly unmatched. Not only was she a beautiful person, but she was also a true powerhouse performer.”
“I still think of her taking the stage during American Idol to perform her rendition of Chaka Khan‘s ‘I’m Every Woman’ and absolutely brought the house down,” she continued. “I’ll always remember her poise, grace and dignity — and how could anyone forget those incomparable vocals!”
Read on for more tributes to the late Mandisa, including messages of love and remembrance from fellow American Idol alums like Danny Gokey and season 5 champ Taylor Hicks.
Heartbroken over the loss of this beautiful soul. Her voice, her heart, her joy will be missed by us all this side of Heaven…and so thankful for the living hope that she sang (& now sings in the presence of Jesus) so powerfully about…it’s all true! Mandisa, we’ll see you in a… pic.twitter.com/wBKEZvfhg8— Steven Curtis Chapman (@StevenCurtis) April 19, 2024
Mandisa was a friend to everybody. I was blessed enough to share the stage with her numerous times and watched her bring people together. She lit up every room and everyone around her. Her music & story touched many with the love of Jesus. Join me in praying for her family today. pic.twitter.com/O6YNHmIzeY— Jason Crabb (@JasonCrabbMusic) April 19, 2024
I am so incredibly saddened to hear about the loss of my friend Mandisa. I will always cherish the memories of times we spent together hosting award shows, going on tour, and most of all helping her tell her story in the songwriting room. The first song she released after… pic.twitter.com/Xk04rdwxme— Matthew West (@matthew_west) April 19, 2024
CCM singer Mandisa, known for her 2013 hit “Overcomer,” has died at age 47. The Grammy winner died on Thursday, April 18, at her home.
“We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased,” a representative for the singer said in a statement to Billboard. “At this time, we do not know the cause of death or any further details. We ask for your prayers for her family and close-knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
California native Mandisa launched her career as a contestant on American Idol‘s fifth season, and later collaborated with TobyMac and Kirk Franklin on TobyMac’s album Portable Sounds. She released her first album, True Beauty, in 2007. The album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Christian Albums chart.
In 2011, Mandisa earned her first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Christian Airplay chart with “Stronger,” and earned a top 20 hit on the chart with “Good Morning” featuring TobyMac.
In 2013, Mandisa’s song “Overcomer” spent 10 weeks atop Billboard‘s Hot Christian Songs chart and became a signature hit for the singer. Her Overcomer album also earned a Grammy for best contemporary Christian music album. She also earned six GMA Dove Awards nominations during her career.
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Mandisa also featured on songs including TobyMac’s “Lose My Soul,” Crowder’s “Let It Rain (Is There Anybody)” and Jordan Feliz’s “Jesus Is Coming Back.”
Several CCM and gospel artists honored the late singer via posts on social media, including Brandon Heath, who wrote, “Love you, Disa. You were a force of love and encouragement in a difficult world. You were a sister and friend and I’ll miss you.”
Natalie Grant wrote on Instagram, “Your smile and infectious spirit lit up every room. You were a true champion of others. I was the benefactor of your encouragement more times than I can count.Thankful for your music, your honesty and testimony that helped thousands upon thousands of people find the hope of Jesus. I loved sitting by you at awards shows so we could geek out at every performance. We were both true Christian music fans, and unashamed of it.”
Mandisa was also an author, writing the book Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy.
As the world observes Holy Week 2024, Billboard Español has prepared a special selection of 31 new Christian songs in Spanish for the season. The list is comprised of established and emerging artists, encompassing the diversity of Latin Christian music in sound and message.
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The lyrics of these songs explore themes such as love, family and everyday life from the perspective of faith, thus providing an enriching experience for those who want to approach faith through music.
Among the highlights are a variety of popular genres, from worship songs such as “40CM” by the singer-songwriter CRYS together with Genock Gabriel, and the ballad “Vuelvo” by Marcela Gándara, produced by Julio Reyes Copello, which invites us to get closer to God in the most challenging moments. In addition, we included “Tu Presencia Me Llamó,” the Spanish version of the popular song “Me Atraiu” by the Brazilian Gabriela Rocha with the Guatemalan band Miel San Marcos. With this anthem, Rocha became the first woman in gospel music worldwide to reach 3.3 billion views on YouTube, according to Billboard Brazil.
Within the field of Christian urban music, songs such as “Flow Celeste” by Barajas and Alex Zurdo, “Te Siento” by Indiomar and “Locura” by Jay Kalyl stand out. While in Latin pop, there are gems such as Gilberto Daza’s pop vallenato “Seguir Vale la Pena,” and “Capulí”, which united the Ecuadorian Vaes with the Colombian band Alkilados.
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In addition, the list includes “Confía” by Farruko and Dalex, “Who Who” by Nino Freestyle and Emanuel Lara, and “Chica de Altar” by the latter, all part of the compilation album Transition, from Puerto Rican Farruko’s Carbon Fiber label, which took a new faith-based direction this year and features diverse emerging artists both Christian and non-Christian. This project also supports Billboard‘s forecast that 2024 could see more secular artists break into Latin Christian music.
Listen to our playlist of new Latin Christian songs for Easter 2024 below:
Elevation Worship’s “Praise” — featuring Brandon Lake, Chris Brown and Chandler Moore — rises to No. 1 in its 42nd week on Billboard’s streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Christian Songs chart dated March 16.
During the March 1-7 tracking week, the song surged by 30% to 3.3 million official U.S. streams and 27% to 1,000 downloads sold, according to Luminate. On Christian Airplay, it rises 21-20 for a new high, up 49% to 1.6 million audience impressions.
Elevation Worship frontman Brown co-wrote the song with Lake and Moore, as well as Pat Barrett, Cody Carnes and Steven Furtick.
“It is such an honor to be No. 1 again,” Brown tells Billboard. “We’re blown away by what God has done with ‘Praise,’ and we’re thankful for everyone who has streamed, tuned in and shared the song. We hope it is a great reminder of all the reasons to praise God not just for what He’s done, but for who He is.”
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The latest gains for “Praise” were sparked by the March 1 release of the five-song Praise EP featuring five different renditions of the song, including its rootsy “Carolina Version,” the Spanish-language “Alaba” take and the dance-driven “Alastair Remix.”
“Praise” marks the third Hot Christian Songs No. 1 for the Charlotte, N.C.-based Elevation Worship, the fourth chart-topping billing for Lake and the first each for Brown and Moore.
Meanwhile, “Praise” dethrones Lake’s solo hit “Gratitude” after a 28-week reign.
Gavin Leads ‘Again’
Kelontae Gavin banks his third total and consecutive No. 1 on the Gospel Airplay chart with “Live Again” (up 2% in plays).
Jekalyn Carr, who has notched seven Gospel Airplay No. 1s as a recording artist, solely wrote the song.
The 24-year-old Gavin, from Charleston, S.C., previously led the list with “Great” for a week in December 2021, and “Hold Me Close” for one week, that February. His first of four chart entries, “No Ordinary Worship,” became his first top 10, reaching No. 5 in February 2019.
Gospel legend Dorinda Clark-Cole of The Clark Sisters will receive the Trailblazer of Gospel Award at the 2024 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards. The awards will be held at Flourish Atlanta on Thursday, March 28.
Jonathan McReynolds will receive the BMI Champion Award for his artistry and impact on gospel music, marking the first time this accolade has been presented at this ceremony.
The private event will be hosted by BMI president and CEO Mike O’Neill, and Catherine Brewton, BMI vice president, creative, Atlanta. Throughout the ceremony, BMI will recognize the songwriters, producers and music publishers of the past year’s 25 most-performed gospel songs in the U.S.
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“The Clark Sisters are among the legends of gospel, and Dorinda’s distinctive jazzy sound lends a unique brilliance to the group,” Brewton said in a statement. “I’m so proud to be honoring her work and highlighting the impact she’s made on the genre and community through her music and evangelism. We’re also paying tribute to one of the most incredible voices in gospel, Jonathan McReynolds, whose music is often referred to as ‘life’ songs, speaking to the hearts of all.”
Clark-Cole and McReynolds are both Grammy winners. With The Clark Sisters, Clark-Cole won two Grammys in 2008 – best traditional gospel album for Live – One Last Time and best gospel performance for “Blessed and Highly Favored.” Earlier this month, The Clark Sisters received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy. McReynolds won a Grammy for best gospel performance/song three years ago for “Movin’ On.”
Clark-Cole, known as the “Rose of Gospel Music,” is a singer-songwriter, talk-show host and evangelist. Born and raised in Detroit, Clark–Cole is the daughter of pioneering choral director Mattie Moss Clark. In addition to her two Grammys, Clark-Cole has won two GMA Dove Awards, three BMI Awards, 13 Stellar Gospel Music Awards and a Lady of Soul Award. The sisters’ lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy followed a James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at the Stellar Awards in 2020. That same year, The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel biopic, produced by Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah, premiered on Lifetime to millions of viewers.
In addition to his Grammy, McReynolds has received four BMI Awards and was named BMI’s Gospel Songwriter of the Year in 2023. He has also been honored at the Stellar Awards and the GMA Dove Awards. He has had seven top five albums on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart, including two that reached No. 1: Life Music: Stage Two (2015) and Make Room (2018). He has also had 10 top 10 hits on Hot Gospel Songs, including “Movin’ On” (a collaboration with Mali Music) and “Not Lucky, I’m Loved.”
Brandon Lake and Sadie Robertson Huff are set to co-host the 2024 K-LOVE Fan Awards on Sunday, May 26, at the OPRY House in Nashville. The awards focus on Christian music, with individual categories for film/television, books and podcasts. Lake was the top winner at last year’s show with three awards – male artist and song […]
Singer-songwriter TobyMac rolls up his 13th No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart as “Faithfully” rises to the top of the Feb. 17-dated ranking. It increased by 1% to 5.9 million audience impressions Feb. 2-8, according to Luminate. With his newest No. 1, TobyMac solely claims the most leaders among soloists since the Christian Airplay chart […]
Bri Babineaux earns her second No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart as “I Will Wait” rises from No. 3 to the top of the chart dated Feb. 17. In the Feb. 2-8 tracking week, the song advanced by 7% in plays on over 30 reporting stations in the format, according to Luminate. “I Will […]
