The work of Cheryl Fortune became known to contemporary gospel listeners at the start of the 2010s, when the Houston-based singer, songwriter, producer, and arranger appeared on recordings by then-husband James Fortune. In addition to her association with James Fortune & FIYA, Fortune collaborated during the next few years with the likes of Kirk Franklin, T.D. Jakes, Shirley Caesar, and Zacardi Cortez. Fortune eventually signed with the Tyscot label, where she established the LuDawn Music sublabel and made her proper solo debut in September 2017. "Fighters," a song inspired by her survival of domestic abuse, immediately entered Billboard's Gospel Airplay chart and was quickly followed by her first album, Simply Cheryl. ~ Andy Kellman