Kirk Franklin Biography: The Story of a Gospel Legend

Kirk Franklin 2015
Kirk Franklin attends the Centric Celebrates Selma event on March 8, 2015 in Selma, Alabama. Johnny Nunez/ Getty Images

Kirk Franklin Born

Kirk was born on January 26, 1970 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Kirk Franklin Quote

"The assumption is that a person who does Christian music is automatically connected (to God). That's so untrue ... I hope this music is a reflection of the connection I have. I'm very proud to be a Christian." (From Thinkexist.com)

Kirk Franklin Biography:

Soul, R&B and Gospel music have always gone together like texting and abbreviations. However, that wasn't quite enough for Kirk Franklin, who added hip-hop to the mix with his debut in 1993. In a daring attempt to broaden the range of the traditional gospel audience, Kirk Franklin was willing to take heat from those who said it couldn't (or shouldn't) be done -- as long as it didn't get in the way of delivering his message. It worked as the album spent 100 weeks on the Gospel music charts and Kirk Franklin & the Family became the very first gospel debut album to go platinum in the history of RIAA.

"For me, it's all about spreading love through the words of the Lord," Kirk Franklin explained. “From my first songs to present day, that has been my primary mission.”

Kirk Franklin Facts

  • He started playing piano at age 4
  • He was leading the Mt. Rose Baptist Church adult choir near Dallas by the age of 11
  • His debut album spent 100 weeks on the gospel charts and was the first gospel debut album to go platinum
  • Kirk has won 5 Grammy® Awards, 16 Doves, 33 Stellars and 3 NAACP Image Awards.
  • He appears on several of the WOW Gospel releases

Kirk Franklin Starter Songs

  • "I Smile" 
  • "Till We Meet Again" 
  • "Today"
  • "It Would Take All Day" 
  • "Silver and Gold" 
  • "Revolution (Big Yam's Jam Mix)" 

Kirk Franklin Complete Discography

The Award Winning Songs of Kirk Franklin

Kirk Franklin Music Videos

Kirk Franklin News & Notes

Kirk Franklin Interviews

Kirk Franklin Links

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Jones, Kim. "Kirk Franklin Biography: The Story of a Gospel Legend." Learn Religions, Sep. 30, 2021, learnreligions.com/kirk-franklin-gospel-legend-708402. Jones, Kim. (2021, September 30). Kirk Franklin Biography: The Story of a Gospel Legend. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/kirk-franklin-gospel-legend-708402 Jones, Kim. "Kirk Franklin Biography: The Story of a Gospel Legend." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/kirk-franklin-gospel-legend-708402 (accessed March 29, 2024).