Tamela Mann Ties Kirk Franklin With 13th Number One on Billboard Gospel Airplay Chart

Tamela Mann made gospel music history in April 2026 when her single "Live Breathe Fight" reached number one on Billboard's Gospel Airplay chart for the week of April 4.

The achievement gave Mann her 13th career chart-topper, tying Kirk Franklin for the most number-one hits in the history of the Gospel Airplay tally. It also made her the female artist with the most chart-leading singles in the chart's history.

"Live Breathe Fight" held the top spot for at least two consecutive weeks, charting at number one on both March 28 and April 4. The track is the third number-one single from her album of the same name.

Mann noted the significance of tying Franklin, pointing out that both artists are from Fort Worth, Texas. "To be tied with Kirk, who is from the same city I'm from, means everything," she said in a statement.

The single also marked her seventh consecutive number-one hit, a streak that underscores her dominance on gospel radio over the past several years.

Following the record, Mann and her husband David Mann launched "The Love and Relationship Tour" to promote the album's themes of faith, marriage, and perseverance.

Prior to Mann's milestone, the artists with the most Gospel Airplay number-one hits included James Fortune and FIYA and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, each with 10, followed by Jekalyn Carr with nine and Zacardi Cortez with eight.

Mann has been a fixture in gospel music for more than two decades, earning Grammy nominations and Stellar Gospel Music Award wins throughout her career.