Yolanda Yvette Adams (born August 27, 1961 in Houston, Texas) is an American singer, one of the most popular gospel music artists of the contemporary period. Along with Kirk Franklin, Adams is among the artists who have achieved the greatest critical and commercial success in blending R&B styles and gospel music, an achievement which, while it initially caused criticism among the conservative Christian church, later helped gospel gain airplay in secular venues. She is often referred to as the "Whitney Houston" of Gospel Music because of the similar strong vocals.