True Beauty
Encyclopedia
True Beauty is the Grammy-nominated and debut studio album by American Idol
contestant Mandisa
. The first single, "Only the World
", was released on May 22, 2007, and the full album was released on July 31, 2007. The album covers a remake of gospel duo Mary Mary
's hit song "Shackles (Praise You)
" (which Mandisa covered on American Idol in the top 11).
The album debuted at #1 on the Christian albums chart and #43 on the Billboard 200
with over 17,000 copies sold in its first week. It broke the Billboard chart record for a female debut in Christian music and is the largest female debut in the history of her label (EMI/Sparrow Records). True Beauty has sold over 219,000 copies as of December 2010. The album spent over a year on Billboard's Christian Albums and Christian and Gospel Albums charts.
Subsequent singles included "God Speaking
" and "Voice of a Savior
", released to Christian radio in October 2007 and April 2008, respectively.
a week earlier on July 24, 2007 at 12:00 AM. At 5:00 PM EDT iTunes realized their mistake and the album was completely removed.
nomination in December 2007 for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.
American Idol (season 5)
The fifth season of American Idol began on January 17, 2006 and concluded on May 24, 2006. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell returned to judge, and Ryan Seacrest returned to host. It is the most successful season to date ratings-wise and also with 18 contestants getting record deals -...
contestant Mandisa
Mandisa
Mandisa Hundley is an American gospel singer, who was the ninth-place finalist in the fifth season of American Idol.-Early life:...
. The first single, "Only the World
Only the World
"Only the World" is the debut single from American Idol finalist, Mandisa, from her True Beauty album.It has given the artist her first number one on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart. It stayed on the chart for 49 weeks.-Charts:...
", was released on May 22, 2007, and the full album was released on July 31, 2007. The album covers a remake of gospel duo Mary Mary
Mary Mary
Mary Mary is an American gospel music duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell and Tina Atkins-Campbell . The duo are often credited along with Kirk Franklin for broadening the fan base of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by introducing elements of soul music, hip hop, funk and jazz...
's hit song "Shackles (Praise You)
Shackles (Praise You)
"Shackles " is the debut single by singer-songwriter duo Mary Mary. It was first released in 2000 and has since been dubbed the signature Mary Mary song as it ultimately raised the profile of the duo in the gospel music industry...
" (which Mandisa covered on American Idol in the top 11).
The album debuted at #1 on the Christian albums chart and #43 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
with over 17,000 copies sold in its first week. It broke the Billboard chart record for a female debut in Christian music and is the largest female debut in the history of her label (EMI/Sparrow Records). True Beauty has sold over 219,000 copies as of December 2010. The album spent over a year on Billboard's Christian Albums and Christian and Gospel Albums charts.
Subsequent singles included "God Speaking
God Speaking
"God Speaking" is the second single from Mandisa's album, True Beauty. It was released to Christian radio on October 22, 2007. It was written by Ronnie Freeman, who also recorded it as the title track for his second album.-Charts:...
" and "Voice of a Savior
Voice of a Savior
"Voice of a Savior" is a single from Mandisa. It is her third single from her album True Beauty and her fifth single total. Mandisa released "Voice of a Savior" on her official MySpace page in April 2008.-Charts:...
", released to Christian radio in October 2007 and April 2008, respectively.
Early release
The entire album was released to the iTunes StoreITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
a week earlier on July 24, 2007 at 12:00 AM. At 5:00 PM EDT iTunes realized their mistake and the album was completely removed.
Awards and nominations
True Beauty received a Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nomination in December 2007 for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.
Track listing
- Only the WorldOnly the World"Only the World" is the debut single from American Idol finalist, Mandisa, from her True Beauty album.It has given the artist her first number one on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart. It stayed on the chart for 49 weeks.-Charts:...
- True Beauty
- God SpeakingGod Speaking"God Speaking" is the second single from Mandisa's album, True Beauty. It was released to Christian radio on October 22, 2007. It was written by Ronnie Freeman, who also recorded it as the title track for his second album.-Charts:...
- Voice of a SaviorVoice of a Savior"Voice of a Savior" is a single from Mandisa. It is her third single from her album True Beauty and her fifth single total. Mandisa released "Voice of a Savior" on her official MySpace page in April 2008.-Charts:...
- Love Somebody (feat. Diverse CitizensThe Diverse City BandThe Diverse City Band, also known as Diverse Citizens is the road band for Grammy Award winning Christian hip hop artist tobyMac. In 2007, they recorded their first single as a band; "Party ". The song is featured on the Hip Hop compilation album, "Hip Hope 2008"...
) - Unrestrained
- Shackles (Praise You)Shackles (Praise You)"Shackles " is the debut single by singer-songwriter duo Mary Mary. It was first released in 2000 and has since been dubbed the signature Mary Mary song as it ultimately raised the profile of the duo in the gospel music industry...
- Steal My Joy
- Oh, My Lord (Featuring The Fisk Jubilee Singers)
- Only You
- He Will Come
- True Beauty (Remix) [iTunes Bonus Track]
- Only the World (Remix) [CD Bonus Track]
- Broken Into Beautiful [Verizon VCast Bonus Track]
- Tracks 1 & 10 produced by Shaun Shankel
- Tracks 2 & 9 produced by Drew & Shannon
- Tracks 3, 6 & 11 produced by Brown Bannister
- Tracks 4, 5 & 8 produced by Doubledutch
- Track 7 produced by Christoper Stevens
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
Sales |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
43 | 219,000 |
| U.S. Billboard Top Christian Albums | 1 | |
| U.S. Billboard Top Catalog Albums Billboard charts The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine... |
29 |