The room was small, but the energy was big. At an intimate “lunch and learn” hosted by Darlene of The Nightly Spirit, Kirk Franklin sat down before a live audience for a conversation filled with laughter, honesty, and plenty of faith.
Three Decades of Ministry Through Music
Franklin’s first album was released in July 1993, and his journey in gospel music now spans more than 30 years. His story started even earlier. Darlene remembered seeing a teenage Kirk hustling at the Gospel Music Workshop of America while the legendary James Cleveland was still alive.
Those early lessons laid the foundation for a career that has reached churches, homes, and car stereos across generations.
Making Peace With Who He Is
Success has also brought scrutiny. Franklin said critics have questioned his motives, sincerity, and style throughout his career. Some claimed he was “not church enough” or “not godly enough.”
At 56, he no longer works to win over his critics.
“Whatever you think of me, whatever your view is, good, bad, or ugly, I am what I am,” Franklin said.
He also credited his spiritual mentor, Pastor Tony Evans, with a lesson that changed him at 28: “It’s hard to know God’s love as a father when you never had one.” That truth helped him understand grace in a deeper, more personal way.
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Rooted in Black Gospel
Franklin was clear about his commitment to the sound that shaped him. While many churches move toward other styles of worship, he remains devoted to traditional Black gospel, complete with choirs and Hammond organs.
“Nobody has the beauty and the magic and the color of creativity like people of color,” he said. “We are one of one.”
He calls his style “Negro gospel.” “I got a little gravy on my God,” he explained, “because our struggles and our life experiences are different.”
His message never changes. “When you listen to my music, no matter how ratchet the track is, I say Jesus,” Franklin said. “You always know who I’m talking about.”
The New Album: I Am What I Am
His latest project, I Am What I Am, is the first double album of his career. It features 14 tracks split into two sides.
Seven songs were recorded live in church with a choir, a band, and a live audience. These tracks bring back the classic sound of his early years. The other seven are studio songs that showcase what he calls “the other Kirk,” while staying centered on Jesus.
Franklin left the audience with a reminder many believers need to hear.
“I’m not perfect, and life is not perfect, and that is okay,” he said. “God does not love me any less.”
After 30 years, Kirk Franklin is still lifting the name of Jesus. He is still celebrating the culture that raised him. And he is still inviting the community to sing along.
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