Shirley Caesar Goes Viral With #UNameItChallenge and Dominates The Charts

via bonnerfideradio ~ Eleven time Grammy Award winning gospel music icon Pastor Shirley Caesar could arguably be wrapping up the most successful year of her 60 year career. Earlier this year, she released her latest project titled Fill This House which debuted atop Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums Chart. That project produced the Top 10 single “It’s Alright, It’s OK”, a duet with Grammy nominee Anthony Hamilton. She performed at The White House as part of “The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House”. She also became only the fifth gospel act to receive a star on the coveted Hollywood Walk of Fame, joining Mahalia Jackson, Rev. James Cleveland, Andrae Crouch, and BeBe & CeCe Winans. Now, she has gone viral with what many are calling the new Thanksgiving Anthem.

It all started roughly two weeks ago when DJ Suede The Remix God used an excerpt from Caesar’s classic story “Hold My Mule” to create a meme that would speak to this year’s Thanksgiving menu. The excerpt featured “beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes” went viral quickly with millions of views. From there, Grammy Award winner Chris Brown grabbed it, added some dance moves, and labeled it the #UNameItChallenge. The end result was a national craze that garnered mentions from the monologue of the American Music Awards to WWE Monday Night Raw and a host of additional pop culture outlets.

Pastor Caesar became a sought after interviewee, gaining coverage from mainstream outlets including TMZ, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, and The Wendy Williams Show among others.

In addition, an incredible array of artists and fans alike offered their own interpretations of the #UNameItChallenge including Doobie Powell and rap legend Snoop Dogg!!

In addition, Caesar has launched a merchandise line and website in support of the #UNameItChallenge. With items ranging from cooking aprons and graphic tees to hoodies and cutting boards, proceeds from the new apparel line will benefit needy families during the holiday season. Check out the website at UNameItShirley.com.

All of the attention has impacted the Billboard Charts as well, taking “Hold My Mule” to the top of the Gospel Streaming Songs chart with 821,000 streams in one week! The single also came in at #2 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs Chart. The single “Hold My Mule” is her highest charting single of the Hot Gospel Songs Chart history (which launched in 2005).

However you look at it, it’s another chapter in the storied career of one of Gospel music’s most revered personalities.