Monica Lisa Stevenson’s “I’m Not Ashamed,” featuring Paul Porter, rises to No. 1 on Billboard‘s Gospel Airplay chart (dated July 24). In the tracking week ending July 18, the collaboration gained by 20% in plays, according to MRC Data.
The song marks the first leader on the chart for both acts. It’s Stevenson’s first entry and Porter’s fifth.
“I was literally shocked,” Stevenson shares with Billboard of hearing news of her first No. 1. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of, but after being in this business for so many years and never getting close to a No. 1, I didn’t really expect it. So when it came, I was really grateful to all of the radio stations that played it, and I was just walking on a cloud all day. It’s really a dream come true.”
Stevenson, who is from Wetumpka, Ala., and now based in Atlanta, has posted two entries on Top Gospel Albums. Kainos: The Acoustic Documentary debuted in October 2016, prior to peaking at No. 7 in June 2018. (“Kainos” means “fresh” in Greek.) It followed Live in Atlanta, which started and peaked at No. 14 in June 2013.
As for veteran gospel singer Porter, who hails from Detroit, he previously hit a high point guesting on The Rance Allen Group’s “You That I Trust” (No. 17, 2011). Of his five appearances, one is a solo venture: “What Did I Do” (No. 24, 2009).
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