Kirk Franklin

Before the arrival of Kirk Franklin in 1993, contemporary gospel music leaned toward an inspirational quiet storm-- positive messages alluding to Jesus and a righteous walk of faith set to lightly groovin’ tracks that appealed primarily to adults. Upon the arrival of Franklin, the music and the culture of contemporary Christianity got an energy boost that could give Red Bull a run for its money! Injecting a vigorous and youthful excitement to faith-walking, Franklin made it cool to be Christian, placing Godly messages in the same heavy rotation as other urban pop music.

Over the last 14 years with hits such as “Stomp,” “Whatcha Lookin’ For,” “Looking for You,” “Revolution,” and “Lean on Me,” Franklin ascended to the upper echelons of gospel and pop. Beyond the music, he’s a highly exalted example of a man who achieved success without selling his soul (literally or figuratively) or his integrity. His message now inhabits movies, television, and permeates his latest book BluePrint- an exploration of the benefits of creating an action plan for your life and overcoming obstacles.

Franklin ’s enterprises include a full-service youth outreach initiative, an advertising agency, and a production company. In a joint venture with Zomba Label Group, Franklin established his own Fo Yo Soul Entertainment Company. His latest album, The Fight of My Life is the second album Fo Yo Soul. The new songs are some of the most dynamic and stylistically varied of his storied career, moving from spirited choral passages and jazz-kissed pieces to his signature hip hop praise grooves and even one head-banging rocker. As with all of his past milestones, the thread that holds together The Fight of My Life (written, produced and arranged by Franklin) is its powerful spiritual messages.

Franklin’s remarkable career has been instrumental in changing the landscape of contemporary Gospel music. He has won five Grammy’s, 34 Stellar Awards, and 12 Dove Awards. He has also won two BET Music Awards, four NAACP Awards, and a Soul Train Award. With 12 million albums sold and over 20 #1 singles on Gospel radio, Franklin has been blessed with commercial success. He is also a hero and example to anyone who thinks his or her life is beyond redemption. To hear his testimony is to hear from a man who’s risen from the bleakest streets to the highest heights. Deeper still, he understands that the literal fight of his life is a battle fought daily.