James Fortune Ties for Most Gospel Airplay Chart No. 1s With Monica Duet ‘Trusting God’

“Working with Monica again was a way for both of us to impact lives with our faith,” Fortune tells Billboard.

Monica and James Fortune

Cyndi Brown

James Fortune and Monica’s “Trusting God” ascends to No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart (dated Feb. 24). During the Feb. 9-15 tracking week, the single increased by 15% in plays, according to Luminate.

The song, which Fortune wrote with David Outing, is his record-tying 10th Gospel Airplay No. 1 – as he matches Kirk Franklin and Tamela Mann for the most on the 2005-launched survey – and Monica’s first. It’s from Fortune’s seven-track EP Worth It, released last September.

“This year I am celebrating my 20th year of ministering through gospel music professionally,” Fortune tells Billboard. “It’s truly humbling to be blessed with another No. 1 radio airplay single.”

Fortune links his third consecutive Gospel Airplay No. 1, following his featured turn on Pastor Mike Jr., “Impossible,” which led for two frames last April, and his own “Never Let Me Down,” which dominated for two weeks in July 2022.

A native of Richmond, Texas, Fortune first reached Gospel Airplay with “You Survived,” with his longtime backing group FIYA. The song hit No. 4 in June 2005, becoming his first of 17 top 10s. He first reigned with “I Trust You,” featuring FIYA, for 29 weeks starting in August 2008 – the third-longest command in the chart’s history.

As for veteran R&B artist Monica (born Monica Denise Arnold in College Park, Ga.), “Trusting God” marks her sophomore Gospel Airplay entry and second top 10 – both earned with Fortune. In 2012, Fortune and FIYA’s “Hold On,” featuring Monica and Fred Hammond, hit No. 2.

“Working with Monica again was a way for both of us to impact lives with our faith,” Fortune says of “Trusting God.” “To see how this song has touched so many lives is something special. I am grateful.”

Monica has banked three No. 1s, among eight top 10s, on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. She debuted with “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days),” which reached No. 2 in 1995. In 1998-99, she led consecutively with “The Boy Is Mine,” with Brandy, for 13 weeks, “The First Night” (three weeks) and “Angel of Mine” (four).

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