Karen Clark Sheard’s ‘Send It Down’ Ascends to No. 1 on Gospel Airplay Chart

Clark Sisters member Karen Clark Sheard scores her second solo No. 1, and first in a lead role, on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart as “Send It Down” rises two spots to the top of the list dated Jan. 4. During the Dec. 20-26 tracking week, the single increased by 1% in plays, according to Luminate.

Clark-Sheard co-authored the song with Kierra Sheard, her daughter; J. Drew Sheard II, her son; and Marcus Johnson, who also produced it.

Apart from the Clark Sisters, Clark-Sheard previously topped Gospel Airplay as featured on Kierra Sheard’s “Something Has to Break,” which dominated for two weeks in October 2021. (It became Kierra’s fourth of five No. 1s.) She next reigned with “Miracles,” featuring Pastor Mike Jr., for a week in July 2023.

“Send It Down” is from Clark-Sheard’s LP Still Karen, which arrived at its No. 9 best in September, marking her seventh top 10.

Clark-Sheard boasts three additional solo Gospel Airplay top 10s: as featured on Donnie McClurkin’s “Wait on the Lord,” a No. 2 hit in August 2009; “Prayed Up” (No. 9, June 2010); and “My Words Have Power,” featuring Donald Lawrence & The Co. (No. 5, July 2015).

The Clark Sisters have rolled up three Gospel Airplay leaders: “Blessed and Highly” (seven weeks, starting in June 2007), “Victory” (two, June-July 2020) and “His Love,” featuring Snoop Dogg (one week, May 2021).

Launched in their hometown of Detroit in 1980, the Clark Sisters are comprised of siblings Dorinda Clark-Cole, Jacky Clark Chisholm, Karen Clark-Sheard and Twinkie Clark. (The act was first a quintet; Denise Clark Bradford left in 1986.)