Fort Worth native and 20‑time Grammy winner Kirk Franklin is standing firm on his artistic choices with the release of his new double album, I Am What I Am. The 56‑year‑old gospel icon says he will not apologize for praying with R&B stars Chris Brown and Usher before a recent concert, nor for teaming with rapper GloRilla on the project, despite the criticism from some gospel fans.
Faith‑driven collaboration
Franklin told the Associated Press that his decision to pray for the secular performers was simple: “because they asked me to.” He warned that believers often act as “judge and jury,” losing sight of the mission to reach those who need spiritual guidance.
Album highlights and guest artists
The 14‑track collection splits between contemporary studio songs and live‑recorded traditional selections. Guests include Karen Clark Sheard of the Clark Sisters, Afrobeats star Davido, Jelly Roll, and GloRilla on the single “This Time.” The collaboration pushed Franklin’s record‑holding total to ten No. 1s on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart.
Other standout tracks feature Davido on “Hope in You” and a soulful duet with Jelly Roll titled “Free Me Tonight,” which nods to Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.” In that song, Franklin reflects on his own imperfections and the public scrutiny he endures.
Defending artistic freedom
Franklin acknowledges that working with artists whose music carries parental advisory labels invites scrutiny. “You start trying to play in other people’s sandboxes, it is going to come with scrutiny,” he said, noting the financial realities of paying mainstream artists.
He also referenced a 2021 family controversy when his estranged son Kerrion leaked a heated recording, emphasizing that the Bible itself contains “horrible, beautiful, painful, inspiring, challenging stories” that shape faith.
Legacy and future
From early gospel classics like “Melodies From Heaven” to crossover hits such as “I Smile,” Franklin has consistently blended faith with cultural relevance. His 1997 “Stomp (Remix)” with Salt‑N‑Pepa broke ground for gospel on mainstream charts, and he shows no sign of slowing down.
Franklin says his music is a lifelong calling, not merely entertainment. “The hole that I came from was so deep that whenever I’m around light, I never get tired of feeling the sunlight,” he reflected, underscoring his commitment to keeping faith‑centered conversation alive in today’s world.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
