Kirk Franklin

Kirk Franklin

Kirk Franklin is a gospel musician, choir director and author from Fort Worth, United States. Born in 1970, he is associated with contemporary gospel and gospel, and is known for blending gospel with hip hop and R&B.

Early life and beginnings

Franklin is raised in Fort Worth, Texas and is brought up by his aunt, Gertrude Franklin. He plays piano from the age of four and becomes music director of his church at eleven. In his teenage years he is expelled from school; after a girlfriend becomes pregnant and after a friend is shot to death, he returns to the church.

In 1990, after leading the DFW Mass Choir at the Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention, he begins his recording career by organising a seventeen-voice choir called The Family in 1992.

Recording career

Franklin releases his first gospel album, Kirk Franklin & Family, in 1993. He is known for leading contemporary gospel choirs including Kirk Franklin & the Family, Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation and God's Property. His work includes albums such as The Nu Nation Project and God's Property, which reach the Billboard pop, R&B and gospel charts.

His album Hero is also part of his catalogue, along with the single "Looking for You". His songs are published by Zomba Music Publishing, a division of BMG Music Publishing.

Collaborations

Franklin works with a wide range of gospel artists, including Tonex, Donnie McClurkin, Richard Smallwood, Crystal Lewis, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Jaci Velasquez and Willie Neal Johnson. He also collaborates with mainstream artists such as Bono, Mary J. Blige and R. Kelly, including on the single "Lean on Me".

Style and recognition

Franklin is known for integrating hip hop styles with gospel themes, helping shape contemporary gospel in the 1990s. He achieves platinum-selling success as a recording artist.