Yee-Huh? Bun B’s Birthday Rodeo Ropes In Yolanda Adams

Yolanda Adams joins Bun B’s sold-out Birthday Bonanza at RodeoHouston on Black Heritage Day, mixing gospel with rap and R&B.

Written By Asia Perry // The Gospel Beat

Houston’s gospel and rap scenes are set to collide. On Monday, March 3, 2025, Bun B announced that Yolanda Adams, a Houston-born gospel icon, will perform at his Birthday Bonanza during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, presented by Kroger.

Scheduled for Black Heritage Day, Friday, March 7, the sold-out NRG Stadium event already features R&B acts Keith Sweat, Coco Jones, Jagged Edge, and Don Toliver. Adams’ inclusion, shared via Bun B’s Instagram post has sparked chatter.

“We bring the Lord to the stage @rodeohouston for my Birthday Bonanza this year with the incomparable Gospel legend herself @yolandaadams yall!” he enthusiastically announced.

Bun B is a Houston legend. (Photo Credit: Marco Torres)

Adams carries a heavyweight resume. She’s one of gospel’s best-selling artists, snagging the first Grammy for Best Gospel Song in 2006 for “Be Blessed.” Fox 26 Houston lists her as the fifth confirmed act for Bun’s lineup, a nod to her 713 roots. She’s fresh off a feature on Trae Tha Truth’s “Thankful” with Chance the Rapper—could that hint at a rodeo cameo?

Bun B’s show, his fourth straight RodeoHouston headliner, drew 75,005 fans last year, making him the most-watched male rap act in its history, per the Chronicle.

The announcement’s stirring debate. On social media reactions range from “Selling my rodeo tix, can’t pop it to Yolanda!” to “Bun bringing church to the rodeo, huh.”

For EEW readers, it’s a curveball worth noting. Adams, 63, embodies the Black church’s gospel legacy—think “The Battle Is The Lord’s,” “Open My Heart,” and “Just A Prayer Away” filling Sunday services. Pairing her with Bun B’s hip-hop roots and R&B vibes has some scratching their heads. Bun’s teased more to come, telling the Chronicle, “And for the hip hop fans, don’t worry…we still have a big announcement tomorrow,” with “surprises for show night” still under wraps.

Black Heritage Day adds context. Adams could span generations—her classics hit home for seasoned saints, while Toliver and Jones pull in the young crowd. It’s a mashup of faith and culture, but not without questions.

For some of Adams’ EEW fans, it’s a watch-and-pray moment—gospel at a rap bonanza isn’t your typical Sunday mix. How it lands come March 7? That’s the talk of H-Town.