Christian/Gospel

Tasha Cobbs Leonard notches her seventh No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart as “Burdens Down” rises to the top of the survey dated June 15. It increased by 5% in plays May 31-June 6, according to Luminate.
“Burdens Down,” which was authored solely by Cobbs Leonard and produced by her husband, Kenneth Leonard, is from her LP Hymns. The set opened at its No. 3 high on Top Gospel Albums in October 2022, becoming the Atlanta native’s seventh of eight top 10s. Itwas recorded live in Chicago earlier that year.

“It is always an honor to write, produce and release musical tools that help to inspire others,” Cobbs Leonard says. “I am committed to spreading the good news by all means.”

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“Burdens Down” is Cobbs Leonard’s fifth consecutive Gospel Airplay No. 1, following “The Moment,” which led for two frames starting in May 2023; “Gotta Believe” (one week, March 2022); “In Spite of Me” (one week, June 2021); and “You Know My Name (Live)” (one week, October 2019).

Cobbs Leonard previously topped Gospel Airplay as featured on Kirk Franklin’s “My World Needs You” (also featuring Sarah Reeves and Tamela Mann), a two-week leader in July 2017, and with her debut hit, “Break Every Chain,” for seven weeks beginning in June 2013.

The singer-songwriter ties Jekalyn Carr, Todd Dulaney and Marvin Sapp for the fourth-most No. 1s since Gospel Airplay began in March 2005. Kirk Franklin and Tamela Mann lead with 10 each, followed by James Fortune and FIYA (nine).

Cobbs Leonard’s active streak of five Gospel Airplay leaders is the longest among women, followed by Tamela Mann’s four. Among all acts, Dulaney, Jonathan McReynolds and Pastor Mike Jr. have the longest active runs (six each, with Pastor Mike Jr.’s the best from the start of a career in the chart’s history).

‘Exile’ Enters at No. 1

Crowder banks his fourth leader on Top Christian Albums, all of which have opened at the summit, with The Exile. The 12-song set, released May 31, earned 11,000 equivalent album units in the U.S., with 8,000 in album sales, through June 6.

Crowder, from Texarkana, Texas, previously opened at No. 1 on Top Christian Albums with Milk & Honey in June 2021; American Prodigal in October 2016; and Neon Steeple in June 2014.

“Grave Robber,” the new set’s lead single, ruled Christian Airplay and Christian AC Airplay for two frames each in May, becoming Crowder’s fifth and third No. 1, respectively. On the multimetric Hot Christian Songs chart, the track reached No. 8 in April, marking his 10th top 10.

Josiah Queen’s launch album The Prodigal enters Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart (dated June 8) at No. 1. Released May 24, the set earned 4,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. through May 30, according to Luminate.
The LP marks the first Top Christian Albums appearance for the 21-year-old Queen, based in Tampa, Fla. He initially accumulated traction by posting videos on TikTok, where he has approximately 100,000 followers.

“It’s been surreal to see the response to The Prodigal,” Queen tells Billboard. “It’s wild to me that these songs which I wrote in my living room and bedroom have made their way to people all over the world. My hope is that the album leads people closer to God.”

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Meanwhile, the set’s title track ranks at No. 7, after hitting No. 4, on the multimetric Hot Christian Songs survey. It drew 2.2 million in airplay audience and 1.8 million official U.S. streams in the tracking week.

Queen co-authored the single with Jared Marc, who also produced it. Queen co-wrote or solo-authored all 11 songs on the new album. He’s on tour and scheduled to make his first appearance at Nashville’s Grand Opry July 2.

Pastor Mike Jr. Extends Record Run

Pastor Mike Jr. adds his record-extending sixth consecutive career-opening No. 1 on Gospel Airplay with “Windows.” The song, which he wrote with Jaicko Lawrence, increased by 9% in plays during the tracking week.

The Birmingham, Ala., native previously topped Gospel Airplay as featured on Kierra Sheard’s “Miracles,” for a week last July and with his own “Impossible,” featuring James Fortune (two weeks, April 2023); “Amazing” (two weeks, May 2022); “I Got It” (four weeks, beginning in March 2021); and “Big Rock City” (10 weeks, beginning in February 2020).

Pastor Mike Jr. also ties Todd Dulaney and Jonathan McReynolds for the longest streak of Gospel Airplay No. 1s overall, regardless of career-launching runs. All three acts’ streaks are active, with Dulaney currently rising 25-24 with his newest entry, “No Weapon.”

Christian and gospel worship music collective Transformation Worship arrives at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums and Top Gospel Albums charts (dated June 1) with Overflow.
The set, which was recorded live, is the act’s first entry on both lists. Released May 17, it earned 6,000 equivalent album units, with 5,000 in album sales, in the U.S. in the week ending May 23, according to Luminate.

The Tulsa, Okla.-based Transformation Worship launched at the city’s same-named church by lead pastor Michael Todd.

The album (which, while seven songs long, runs nearly 54 minutes) includes hitmakers from both the Christian and gospel music genres, including Todd Dulaney on the title track and Tauren Wells and Fred Hammond on “Anchored.”

Camp’s 15th Top 10

Jeremy Camp’s new studio LP, Deeper Waters, enters Top Christian Albums at No. 2. Released May 17, it earned 5,000 equivalent album units, with 3,000 in album sales, in its opening week.

The 46-year-old, from Lafayette, Ind., co-authored all 13 tracks on the set. It follows When You Speak, which reached No. 2 on Top Christian Albums in September 2021, and the EP that he released with his wife, Adrienne, The Worship Project (No. 21, September 2020). Before that, his I Still Believe: The Greatest Hits hit No. 3 in March 2020. Camp posted his seventh and most recent No. 1 in October 2019 when The Story’s Not Over opened at the summit.

Deeper Waters’ lead single “These Days” rises to No. 3 on Christian Airplay with 6.2 million audience impressions (up 9%), having become his 28th top 10.

Elevation Worship’s “Praise,” featuring Brandon Lake, Chris Brown and Chandler Moore, ascends to No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart dated May 25.
During the May 10-16 tracking week, the song drew 6.2 million audience impressions, according to Luminate.

Elevation Worship frontman Brown co-wrote the song with Lake, Moore, Pat Barrett, Cody Carnes and Steven Furtick.

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The Charlotte, N.C.-based Elevation Worship rolls up its fourth Christian Airplay chart-topper. It’s Lake’s third and the first each for Brown (in an individually credited role) and Moore.

“Praise” dominates the multimetric Hot Christian Songs tally for an 11th week, having become the collective’s third leader on the list. Brown told Billboard upon the song’s coronation in March, “It is such an honor to be No. 1 again. 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.”

In addition to its airplay, “Praise” collected 3 million official U.S. streams and sold 1,000 downloads May 10-16.

Concurrently, the single leads the Christian AC Airplay chart for a second frame.

Mitchell, McClurkin Lead Gospel Airplay

On Gospel Airplay, VaShawn Mitchell’s “See the Goodness,” featuring Donnie McClurkin, rises to No. 1.

The song, which Mitchell wrote solo and co-produced with Thomas Hardin Jr., marks Mitchell’s fourth Gospel Airplay No. 1. The Chicago singer-songwriter previously reigned with “Lifted Up,” for a week in July 2021; “Joy” (seven weeks, 2017); and “Nobody Greater” (nine weeks, 2010-11).

Mitchell logged his first Gospel Airplay entry as featured on GMWA Mass Choir’s No. 8-peaking “Only a Test,” which began his tally of seven top 10s to date, in 2005.

McClurkin, from Copiague on Long Island, N.Y., adds his third Gospel Airplay chart-topper among seven top 10s. His debut entry, “I Call You Faithful,” became his first No. 1, for seven weeks, in 2005. He led again with “I Need You” for a week in 2017.

CeCe Winans earns her 10th No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and her second on Top Christian Albums with the arrival of her live set More Than This on the tallies dated May 11.
The LP starts with 8,000 equivalent album units, including 5,000 in album sales, in the U.S. April 26-May 2, according to Luminate. It was recorded at Nashville’s Rocketown on Aug. 10, 2023.

Notably, the Detroit native has ruled Top Gospel Albums in five consecutive decades.

“I’m a firm believer that when you keep God at the center of everything, He will do the rest,” Winans says. “More Than This is a joyful collection of songs that focus on His faithfulness and greatness.”

The album follows Winans’ first live set, Believe for It: A Live Worship Experience, which started at No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums, and No. 3 on Top Christian Albums, in March 2021. She notches her eighth leader on the former chart without any other billed artists; she logged her first two No. 1s with Bebe Winans, her older brother: Heaven in 1989 and Different Lifestyles in 1991. She previously commanded Top Christian Albums with Throne Room in 2003.

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Concurrently, the new album’s “That’s My King” becomes Winans’ third No. 1 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart and her third top 10 on Hot Christian Songs (18-7). It drew 1.7 million official U.S. streams, up 111%, and simultaneously crowns Gospel Streaming Songs, marking Winans’ first chart-topper. On Christian Airplay, it pushes 20-19 (1.6 million audience impressions, up 35%). On Gospel Airplay, it ranks at No. 26.

Notably, as genre barriers blur among numerous formats, Winans is one of a growing number of artists — alongside the likes of Elevation Worship, Brandon Lake, Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine, Tauren Wells and others — who are actively being promoted to both contemporary Christian and gospel radio.

Campbell’s ‘Love’ Leads Gospel Airplay

Erica Campbell rolls up her fourth solo Gospel Airplay leader, all earned consecutively, with “Do You Believe in Love?,” which she co-authored.

The Los Angeles-based artist is also the host of the nationallysyndicated radio show Get Up! Mornings With Erica Campbell.

Campbell – who is also half of duo Mary Mary with sister Trecina – previously topped Gospel Airplay on her own with “Feel Alright (Blessed)” for two weeks starting in July 2023; “Call,” with Jor’Dan Armstrong (two, December 2022); and “Positive” (three, August 2022).

Mary Mary boasts three Gospel Airplay No. 1s: as featured, with Le’Andria Johnson, on PJ Morton’s “All in His Plan” (one week, September 2020) and with “God in Me,” featuring Kierra “Kiki” Sheard (seven weeks, beginning in June 2009), and “Heaven” (15 weeks, beginning in June 2005).