Singer-songwriter Jason Nelson earns his fifth No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart (dated Jan. 25) as “Yahweh,” featuring Melvin Crispell III, rises a spot to the top of the Jan. 25-dated survey. During the Jan. 10-16 tracking week, the song increased by 8% in plays, according to Luminate.
Nelson, who hails from Baltimore, co-authored “Yahweh” with Danielle Iriana Baylor, Jerome Delonte Baylor and Johnie Huntley Steele III, and Dana Sorey produced it. The track is from Nelson’s 11-song live album, You Belong, which was released last June.
“I’m amazed that the message of ‘Yahweh’ has reached No. 1,” Nelson tells Billboard. “This song really conveys the truth that every breath we take gives praise to our God. Knowing that this is the fifth time that one of my songs has reached No. 1 is extremely humbling,” he adds. “I’m grateful.”
“Residue” became Nelson’s fourth Gospel Airplay No. 1 when it led for a week in November 2021. Before that, “Forever” dominated for three frames beginning in October 2018; “I Am” led for six weeks starting in January 2015; and Israel & New Breed’s “It’s Not Over (When God Is in It),” on which he and James Fortune are featured, ruled for 11 weeks starting in January 2013. He first reached Billboard’s rankings in 2011.
Crispell III previously topped Gospel Airplay with “Wonderful Is Your Name” for a week in August 2021. The singer, who has been appearing on Billboard charts since 2019, has a second song on the Jan. 25-dated list, “God Is,” which pushes 20-17 (up 11%).
