#Fo Yo Soul/RCA

[redcarpetview]

RCA Inspiration, NAACP Image Awards-Kingdom Book One album wins Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album!

     RCA Inspiration congratulates the latest win for the hit album release of Kingdom Book One (Tribl Records/Fo Yo Soul/RCA Inspiration), as the acclaimed collaboration from chart-toppers Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul/RCA) was just announced among the early winners unveiled for this year’s 54th NAACP Image AwardsⓇ.

     Winning in the category of Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album, their NAACP Image Awards win was announced on the show’s virtual awards first night that streamed on https://naacpimageawards.net/ on February 20th, with the winners unveiled in many of the music recording categories. The week-long NAACP Image Awards celebration will continue to unveil more winners, honoring the achievements and legacy of Black excellence spanning the categories of film, television, music, literature, activism and more. 

     The NAACP Image Awards win for Kingdom Book One follows the album’s most recent wins at the 2023 GRAMMYⓇ Awards that took place February 5th, where the album and two featured songs garnered 3 GRAMMYⓇ Awards. Released in 2022, the live album project with Kirk Franklin and the group Maverick City Music was recorded together with the voices of 1,300 inmates in a Florida prison yard, bringing awareness to mass incarceration, and sharing in the power of experiencing God’s love, finding comfort and healing.  

     Check out the album, Kingdom Book One – Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin (Tribl Records/Fo Yo Soul/RCA Inspiration):

https://MaverickCityXKirkFranklin.lnk.to/KingdomPR

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[itunestopalbums]

Father's Day - Kirk Franklin

Father's Day Kirk Franklin Genre: Christian Price: $9.99 Release Date: October 6, 2023 © ℗ 2023 Fo Yo Soul Recordings and RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment http://dlvr.it/SxBRnT

[gospelhotspot]

[Album] Father’s Day - Kirk Franklin

Chart-topping artist, songwriter, and producer Kirk Franklin has delivered a bold new album with his latest release Father’s Day (Fo Yo Soul/RCA). Out now, the 19-time GRAMMY®-winning icon is blazing new trails on his deeply personal 13th album, reflecting on questions through challenging situations, and facing the unknowns, the trials, the joys and renewal that life can bring.  Grappling…

[coghive]

RCA Inspiration Celebrates 16 Nominations For The 38th Annual Stellar Awards

RCA Inspiration celebrates 16 nominations for the 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards coming up this summer, with nominations for album and song releases in 12 categories, including the major categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, and Album of the Year. The acclaimed projects receiving nominations include the hit collaboration Kingdom Book One by Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul/RCA), Clarity by DOE (Life Room Label/RCA Inspiration), and the releases of Worship & Justice by William Murphy and the Kingdom Business: Season 1 Soundtrack. Garnering 8 Stellar Awards nominations, the GRAMMYⓇ-winning acclaimed live collaboration by chart-toppers Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin is nominated in album and song categories. The group’s live album Kingdom Book One (Tribl Records/Fo Yo Soul/RCA Inspiration), #1 hit Gospel single “Kingdom” (feat. Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore), and the single “Bless Me” are nominated for: Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“Kingdom”), Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Album of the Year, Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year (“Bless Me”), and Producer of the Year (producers: Tony Brown, Jonathan Jay, Kirk Franklin, Chandler Moore, Norman Gyamfi). Garnering 6 Stellar Awards nominations is chart-topper DOE, whose hit debut album Clarity was released in partnership between Jonathan McReynolds’ Life Room Label and RCA Inspiration. Clarity (Life Room Label/RCA Inspiration) and her #1 hit Gospel single “When I Pray” are nominated for: Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“When I Pray”), Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, Contemporary Female Artist of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year (“When I Pray”), and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (packaging: Tyler Simien). Rounding out the Stellar Awards nominations are a nomination for Special Event Album of the Year, for the release of the Kingdom Business: Season 1 Soundtrack, featuring original music from the popular BET+ series “Kingdom Business,” and a nomination for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (packaging: Tim Parker), for the album Worship & Justice by William Murphy. The 38th Annual Stellar Awards will be taped in Las Vegas, NV on July 15th, 2023 and premiere on the new Stellar TV Network on July 24th. Read the full article

[urbanchristiannews]

Grammy-Nominated The Walls Group Release New Single, "My Life"

Grammy-Nominated The Walls Group Release New Single, “My Life”

“My Life” is The Walls Group’s lead single from their upcoming third album THE OTHER SIDE (more…)

[mmorggospel]

Kirk franklin first album songs

Kirk franklin first album songs series#

Kirk franklin first album songs series#

Kirk had very bad childhood as he was abandoned by his parents and was taken care by his aunt.#MusicSermon is a weekly series by Naima Cochrane that highlights the under-acknowledged and under-appreciated urban artists and sub-genres from the ’90s and earlier.In 1998, Franklin had made a guest appearance on the hit television sitcom “Sister, Sister.”.He has produced tons of songs as a solo artist. Kirk is not only a director but also a producer.Kirk, an American director, gospel singer, songwriter, and author, has a total net worth of $8.5 million as of 2021. Kirk Franklin The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin.Kirk Franklin God’s Property from Kirk Franklin’s Nu Nation.Here are some of the lists of Kirk’s Albums that are still heard and loved by the people. Similarly, Kirk name in music industry led him to launch his own record label, Fo Yo Soul Recordings, in collaboration with RCA Records. Kirk Franklin’s AlbumsĪll the awards that Franklin has received, it’s all because of his unique composition and his albums. Kirk frequently apologized for his behaviour to his followers. In early 2021s, Kirk’s elder son, Kerrion released a tape where Kirk was verbally abusing his son Kerrion and his mother. However, they have two child together named Caziah Franklin and Kennedy Franklin. The child from Kirk’s girlfriend is Kerrion Franklin and the child from Tammy’s relationship is Carrington Franklin. When they tied the knot, both of them had a child from their previous partner. In January 20, 1996, Kirk married his long time friend “Tammy Collins.” However, he did not marry his baby mommy. Kirk Franklin’s Wife source: įranklin had his girlfriend “Shawn Ewing” pregnant during his teenage time. The multiple Grammys winner, Kirk Franklin is 5 feet 5 inches tall. Likewise, He has later directed every songs for his “Gospel Group.” Kirk Franklin’s height Similarly, in Franklin’s high school days, continued under her tutelage and ultimately became the pianist for the choir. However, by the age of 11, Kirk had already started directing Choir at the Mt. Kirk Franklin as a directorĪt the age of 7 he was offered a contract which did not work out. These are just the lists of songs that peaked on Billboard. There are so many songs that Kirk has written. Here are the lists of the Kirk’s famous songs. The album was just the beginning for Kirk to have a tons of awards. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart for 42 weeks and sold a million of units.Īfter 3 years, Kirk released album entitled “Kirk Franklin & the Family Christmas.” Later the same album got certified 2x platinum and received first Grammys. In 1992, Franklin founded “The Family,” a 17-voice choir made up of friends and associates from the neighborhood.Ī year later, he released first album “Kirk Franklin & the Family”, which was at No. Kirk is one of the most adored choir singer in the Hollywood. Kerrion Franklin, Caziah Franklin, Kennedy Franklin, and Carrington Franklin NameĬhoir director, gospel singer, songwriter, and author Likewise, he has won Stellar Awards and Soul Train Music Awards.īefore moving further, let’s dive right into Kirk Franklin’s Profile. Kirk is so good at the work that he has received a total of 11 Grammys and 22 Dove Awards. The group is where his compositions got recognition from gospel music legend Milton Bingham.Īnd by the age of 20, Franklin led the group in an industry gathering. It was when Kirk co-founded a gospel group, The Humble Hearts. After then, he came back to church and directed them. One of the major reasons behind Kirk’s expulsion was his girlfriend’s pregnancy.Īt the age of 15, Kirk witnessed a horrible incident. However, because of his stubbornness, he was thrown out of the school that his Grandmother arranged an audition for. Growing Up, Kirk was very rebellious as any teenager would be. However, by the age of 11, Franklin was able to join the church choir and became the music director at the same church. Kirk excelled in music so much that he could read and write the music while listening to the music.Įventually, at the age of seven, Kirk was offered the contract. She used to recycle aluminum to pay for Kirk’s piano lesson. Growing up, Kirk was abandoned by his mother. On January 26, 1970, Kirk was born in Dallas, Texas, The United States. Similarly, He received inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame as one of the first inductees. Variety describes him as a “Reigning King of Urban Gospel.”

[rumba-tv-canale-12]

CONMEBOL y SONY MUSIC LATIN anuncian la canción oficial de la CONMEBOL Copa América 2021

11-05-2021

La CONMEBOL e Sony Music Latin presentano la canción oficial de la CONMEBOL Copa América Argentina - Colombia 2021, "La Gozadera (The Official 2021 CONMEBOL Copa América ™ Song)", una nuova versione adattata per la Copa, y un homenaje al fútbol que hará vibrar a todo el continente.

Alex Gallardo, presidente di Sony Music US Latin, se expresa orgulloso de este vínculo entre la música y el deporte: "No puede haber una mejor canción que acompañe a La Copa América 2021. 'La Gozadera' è un tema che ha convertito en el símbolo de celebración para muchas familias latinoamericanas, ya que enaltece la riqueza en la diversidad de los distintos países y nacionalidades. Asimismo, el fútbol recoge la fase de los fanáticos de distintos lugares del mundo que reúnen a festejar ya animar a sus equipos. Estamos muy agradecidos con CONMEBOL por haber hecho posible esta alianza y confiamos que Gente De Zona anime a todos los seguidores durante la competencia ”.

Di parte, Alejandro Domínguez, presidente de la CONMEBOL, dichiara: “El fútbol es pasión, es fiesta, es color y es, sobre todo, una poderosa energía que nos inspira en tiempos difíciles como los que vivimos. La canción transmite esa fuerza, esas emociones, y estamos seguros que toda Sudamérica y el mundo se contagiarán de su alegría y su ritmo ”.

La versione originale de "La Gozadera" è giunta a Marc Anthony per uno dei più grandi successi dell'ultimo decoro di 1,3 miliardi di riproduzioni su YouTube e ottengono la certificazione di 12 pezzi di Platino e Stati Uniti e Porto Rico. Su coreografía y sus divertidos movimientos de cabeza inspiraron un sinfín de memes, y la canción llenó las pistas de baile alrededor del mundo.

Ora "La Gozadera (The Official 2021 CONMEBOL Copa América ™ Song)" llega con letra alusiva a este torneo de fútbol que reúne las selecciones nacionales masculinas de 10 países de Sudamérica. Il video musicale corrispondente del film a Miami.

“Estamos muy emocionados de ser los rappresentantes musicales para un evento de la sua magnitudo per tener la possibilità di recrear 'La Gozadera', uno de nuestros grandes éxitos. Esperamos que los fanáticos de la música y todos nuestros seguidores se unan and nosotros en tan important celebración ", expresó Gente De Zona.

Argentina e Colombia serán los anfitriones de questa competizione que celebra su 47 ° edición. El partido inaugurale será el 13 de junio en Buenos Aires.

Informazioni su Gente De Zona:

A lo largo de una década y media de explorar y pulir diferentes sonidos, este grupo que comenzó como un colectivo callejero de rap se ha convertido en uno de los dúos más reconocidos a nivel mundial. Complementare con le rispettive interpretazioni vocali e gli stili del compositore, Alexander Delgado Hernández e Randy Malcom Martínez hanno collaborato con il centro di attività nell'escena internazionale della musica. Su primer mega-éxito fue "Bailando", la collaborazione tra Enrique Iglesias, Descemer Bueno e Gente de Zona que llegó a ser la canción más impactante del 2014. Nel 2015, el dúo lanzó dos grandes éxitos junto a Marc Anthony - "La Gozadera "E" Traidora ". Gente de Zona también ha grabado con artisti de la talla di Kylie Minogue, Thalía, Pitbull, Jennifer López e Carlos Rivera.

Informazioni su CONMEBOL:

La Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL) è l'Organo de Gobierno continentale de las Asociaciones de fútbol de América del Sur e una de las Seis Confederaciones Continentales de la FIFA. Es la confederación continental más antigua del mundo, tiene su sede en Luque, Paraguay, cerca de Asunción. Fundada el 9 de julio de 1916 en Buenos Aires, está compuesta por diez países miembros: Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Perú, Uruguay y Venezuela. La Confederación è responsabile del desarrollo e dell'organizzazione dei principali tornei del fútbol sudamericano.

Informazioni sulla CONMEBOL Copa América Argentina - Colombia 2021:

La edizione 47 ° del torneo más antiguo de selecciones del mundo se disputará en dos países-sede (Argentina y Colombia) entre 10 selecciones participantes, el torneo no cambia de formato y se jugará en ciudades ubicadas en los extremos Norte y Sur de nuestro continente .

Son los 10 países sudamericanos miembros de la CONMEBOL (Argentina, Brasil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Perú, Uruguay y Venezuela), son los participarán de esta competencia.

En el campo estarán reunidos new títulos de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA y las mayores estrellas of fútbol mundial para jugar los 28 partidos de questa edizione, dal 13 giugno al 10 luglio.

Il partido inaugurale si disputa a Buenos Aires, si svolge la gran finale come l'escenario alla ciudad colombiana de Barranquilla.

Vibra el Continente

La CONMEBOL Copa América tiene un poder incrementabile, può fare tutto ciò che è mueva, logra que las emociones vibren y se exalten los corazones.

Hace que se ondeen las banderas, las redes, que se estremezcan las tribunas, los estadios. Su historia hace que el continente entero se llene de orgullo, que nuestro fútbol palpite con una sola fuerza.

Esta competencia tiene el poder de sacar nuestra mejor versión para definir lo que somos como sudamericanos: fútbol, ​​historia, alegría y pasión.

#VibraElContinente

Informazioni su Sony Music US Latin:

Sony Music US Latin, una sussidiaria di Sony Music Entertainment, è l'empresa líder de música latina en los EE.UU. y Puerto Rico y hogar de los artistas más prolíficos en el género de música latina.

Informazioni su Sony Music Entertainment:

Sony Music Entertainment è una compagnia discografica mondiale con un elenco artistico che include una amplia gama de artistas locales y superestrellas internacionales. L'empresa ha un vasto catalogo che comprende algunas de las grabaciones más importantes de la historia y es el hogar de las discográficas principales que rappresentano la musica de todos los géneros, inclusi: Arista Records, Arista Nashville, Beach Street Records, Black Butter Records , BPG Music, Bystorm Entertainment, Century Media, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Day 1, Descendant Records, Disruptor Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Essential Worship, Fo Yo Soul Recordings, House of Iona Records, Insanity Records, Keep Cool, Kemosabe Records, Legacy Recordings, Masterworks, Masterworks Broadway, Ministry of Sound Recordings, Monument Records, OKeh, Polo Grounds Music, Portrait, RCA Inspiration, RCA Nashville, RCA Records, Relentless Records, Reunion Records, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Syco Music e Verity Records. Sony Music Entertainment è una sussidiaria di Sony Corporation of America.

https://copaamerica.com/es/noticias/Cancion-CONMEBOL-Copa-America

[thebobbypen]

35th Stellar Awards Nominees and Performers [LIST]

35th Stellar Awards Nominees and Performers Airs TONIGHT 6p/7p Central on @bet [LIST] cc: @thestellars

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers; Goshen; RCA Inspiration • JJ Hairston; Miracle Worker; JamesTown Music / Entertainment One • Kirk Franklin; Long Live Love; Fo Yo Soul/ RCA/ RCA Inspiration • Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (Live at Passion City Church); Motown Gospel

SONG OF THE YEAR

• Big; Michael McClure, Curtiss Glenn & Rodeny Turner;…

[ustribunenews-blog]

Kirk Franklin announce their 15th album LONG LIVE LOVE

Kirk Franklin announce their 15th album LONG LIVE LOVE

31-May-2019: ‘LONG LIVE LOVE’, album by Kirk Franklin Label: Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Records.

Kirk Franklin’s fifteenth album was just released on the label Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Records and can be streamed on Spotify. The album has no rating on Last.FM, indicating it is not too popular (or just to soon to tell).

(more…)

[redcarpetview]

RCA Inspiration Celebrates Nominations For 11th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards

Kirk Franklin. Photo by Kauwuane Burton

    RCA Inspiration celebrates two nominations for the 11th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards, with nominations for releases by Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul/RCA) and DOE (Life Room Label/RCA Inspiration). With nominations announced today, Kirk Franklin is nominated in the category of “Gospel Song of the Year” for the single “Bless Me” from his hit album collaboration with Maverick City Music. The song is featured from their 2022 acclaimed joint live album, Kingdom Book One Deluxe (Tribl Records/Fo Yo Soul/RCA Inspiration). DOE is nominated in the category of “New Artist Song of the Year” for the single “So Good.” The song is featured from her 2022 hit debut album Clarity, released by Jonathan McReynolds’ Life Room Label in partnership with RCA Inspiration. Voting is now open through January 13th, 2023 at www.WeLoveAwards.com. 

 Celebrating the wide spectrum of Christian music, from Worship and Pop to Rap/Hip-Hop, Gospel and more, the 11th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards are powered by the largest Christian music site online NewReleaseToday. Besides the two chart-toppers garnering these new award nominations, Kirk Franklin and DOE’s albums each have three nominations for the upcoming 2023 GRAMMY® Awards. 

 Franklin, who recently wrapped the nationwide Kingdom Tour with Maverick City Music, next up for the holidays will release another holiday movie, executive producing/starring in “Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas.” The movie airs Saturday December 10th at 8 PM on Lifetime, and marks his second consecutive holiday movie with Lifetime, after the 2021 movie “Kirk Franklin’s A Gospel Christmas.” Next up for the holidays with DOE is her headlining solo tour “A Night of Clarity” Tour with City Winery in five cities December 10th-22nd. 

 Check out their albums at the links below:

Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin: Kingdom Book One Deluxe (Tribl Records/Fo Yo Soul/RCA Inspiration)

https://MaverickCityXKirkFranklin.lnk.to/KingdomPR 

 DOE: Clarity (Life Room Label/RCA Inspiration)

https://doe.lnk.to/ClarityPR!WW 

 For more information on RCA Inspiration, visit:

Website: http://rcainspiration.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RCAInspiration 

Instagram: @RCAInspiration

Twitter : @RCAInspiration

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[itunestopalbums]

Kingdom Book One (Deluxe) - Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin

Kingdom Book One (Deluxe) Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin Genre: Christian Price: $14.99 Release Date: July 22, 2022 © ℗ 2022 Maverick City Music, Tribl Records, Fo Yo Soul Recordings and RCA Inspiration, a division of Sony Music Entertainment http://dlvr.it/SVc1wZ

[crank11news-blog]

Listen to 'LONG LIVE LOVE' by Kirk Franklin on Spotify

Listen to ‘LONG LIVE LOVE’ by Kirk Franklin on Spotify

31-May-2019: ‘LONG LIVE LOVE’, album by Kirk Franklin Label: Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Records. The fifteenth album by Kirk Franklin is titled ‘LONG LIVE LOVE’ and was just released on label Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Records and is now available on Spotify. The album is not rated on Last.FM, indicating it’s not too popular or it is too close to its release date. (more…)

[coghive]

RCA Inspiration Celebrates 54th NAACP Image Awards With ‘Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album’ Win

RCA Inspiration congratulates the latest win for the hit album release of Kingdom Book One (Tribl Records/Fo Yo Soul/RCA Inspiration), as the acclaimed collaboration from chart-toppers Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul/RCA) was just announced among the early winners unveiled for this year’s 54th NAACP Image Awards. Winning in the category of Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album, their NAACP Image Awards win was announced on the show’s virtual awards first night that streamed on https://naacpimageawards.net/ on February 20th, with the winners unveiled in many of the music recording categories. The week-long NAACP Image Awards celebration will continue to unveil more winners, honoring the achievements and legacy of Black excellence spanning the categories of film, television, music, literature, activism and more.

The NAACP Image Awards win for Kingdom Book One follows the album’s most recent wins at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards that took place February 5th, where the album and two featured songs garnered 3 GRAMMY Awards. Released in 2022, the live album project with Kirk Franklin and the group Maverick City Music was recorded together with the voices of 1,300 inmates in a Florida prison yard, bringing awareness to mass incarceration, and sharing in the power of experiencing God’s love, finding comfort and healing. Read the full article

[smgmusicmedia]

In Review: Tasha Page-Lockhart "The Beautiful Project"

In Review: Tasha Page-Lockhart “The Beautiful Project”

With the October 2017 release of her second album “The Beautiful Project”, Tasha Page-Lockhart is on display as a vocal powerhouse. She has matured musically and spiritually and though sometimes the process is without aesthetics, the result is as Page-Lockhart encapsulates it in this album, “Beautiful”. The album is great, do you have your copy? I’ll share a few of my favorites from the album!

Th…

[urbanchristiannews]

RCA Inspiration Celebrates Kirk Franklin and Travis Greene's Wins at 2017 Billboard Music Awards

RCA Inspiration Celebrates Kirk Franklin and Travis Greene’s Wins at 2017 Billboard Music Awards

RCA Inspiration celebrates double wins at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards with two top Gospel awards for Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul/RCA) and Travis Greene, winning in the categories of Top Gospel Artist and Top Gospel Song, respectively.  Returning winner Kirk Franklin remains a perennial favorite, as the groundbreaking hitmaker is honored with the Top Gospel Artist award for the second…

[blackkudos]

Kirk Franklin

Kirk Dewayne Franklin (born January 26, 1970) is an American gospel musician, choir director, and author. He is known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God's Property and One Nation Crew (1NC), and has won multiple awards, including eight Grammy Awards.

Early life

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Franklin was raised by his aunt, Gertrude, having been abandoned as a baby by his mother. Gertrude collected and resold aluminum cans to raise money for Kirk to take piano lessons from the age of four. Kirk excelled in music, being able to read and write music, while also playing by ear.

He received his first contract offer at the age of seven, which his aunt turned down. He joined the church choir and became music director of the Mt. Rose Baptist Church adult choir at the age of twelve.

Despite his strict religious upbringing, Franklin rebelled in his teenage years, and in an attempt to keep him out of trouble, his grandmother arranged an audition for him at a professional youth conservatory associated with a local university. He was accepted and, while his life seemed to be on track for a while, the announcement of a girlfriend's pregnancy and his eventual expulsion from school for behavioral problems proved otherwise.

Kirk Franklin studied music with Jewell Kelly and the Singing Chaparrals at Oscar Dean Wyatt High School. He was under her tutelage for music direction as she allowed him to be the pianist for the choir.

After the shooting death of a friend, Franklin returned to the church, where he began to direct the choir once again. He also co-founded a gospel group, The Humble Hearts, which recorded one of Franklin's compositions and got the attention of gospel music legend Milton Biggham. Impressed, Biggham enlisted him to lead the DFW Mass Choir in a recording of Franklin's song "Every Day with Jesus." This led to Biggham hiring Franklin, just 20 years old at the time, to lead the choir at the 1990 Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention, a major industry gathering.

Professional background

Kirk Franklin and The Family (1992–2000)

In 1992, Franklin organized "The Family", which was a seventeen-voice choir, formed from neighborhood friends and associates. In 1992, Vicki Mack-Lataillade, the co-founder of fledgling record label GospoCentric, heard one of their demo tapes and was so impressed she immediately signed up Kirk & The Family to a recording contract.

In 1993, the group, now known as "Kirk Franklin & The Family," released their debut album, Kirk Franklin & The Family. It spent almost two years on the Gospel music charts and charted on the R&B charts, eventually earning platinum sales status. It remained at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart for 42 weeks. It was the first gospel music album to sell over a million units.

Two years later, after releasing a 1995 Christmas album entitled Kirk Franklin & the Family Christmas, the group released Whatcha Lookin' 4 in 1996. The album was certified 2x platinum and earned Franklin his first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. 1997 brought another album, a collaboration with the vocal ensemble God's Property, aptly named God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation. The lead single, "Stomp", featuring Cheryl "Salt" James (of Salt-N-Pepa), was a big hit, enjoying heavy rotation on MTV and other music channels, and charting at No. 1 on the R&B Singles Airplay chart for two weeks, even making it into the Top 40. God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation was No. 1 on the R&B Albums chart for five weeks, No. 3 on the Pop charts, and would go on to be certified 3x platinum. It also brought Franklin another Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, as well as three Grammy nominations.

In 1996, Franklin's song "Joy" was recorded by Whitney Houston and the Georgia Mass Choir. With production by Houston and Mervyn Warren, the composition was included on the best-selling soundtrack to the movie The Preacher's Wife.

On November 2, 1998, God's Property sued Franklin. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that Franklin induced God's Property founder Linda Searight into signing an "onerous and one-sided" contract with B-Rite Music.

The Nu Nation Project was released in 1998. The first single, an interpretation of the Bill Withers song "Lean on Me" and produced by Franklin and pop producer Dan Shea, controversially featured several mainstream artists, including R. Kelly, Mary J. Blige and Bono of U2. Together with Crystal Lewis, and the Family, "Lean on Me" and the second single "Revolution" (featuring Rodney Jerkins) were considerable hits, and the album contained a version of another Withers song "Gonna Be a Lovely Day". The Nu Nation Project went on to top the Billboard Contemporary Christian Albums chart for 23 weeks and the Billboard Gospel Albums chart for 49 weeks, and brought Franklin his third Grammy.

Also in 1998, Franklin had made a guest appearance on the hit television sitcom Sister, Sister.

In, 2000, The Family filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit for royalties for their work on The Nu Nation Project against Franklin and GospoCentric Records. This saw the end of the "Kirk Franklin & The Family" records, as Kirk went on to become a solo artist, except for his CD Kirk Franklin Presents 1NC, which he did in collaboration with One Nation Crew, and was released that same year.

On January 16, 2010 at the 25th Annual Stellar Awards show taping, in Nashville, Tennessee, Kirk Franklin & The Family reunited briefly on stage to perform songs made popular by them in the 1990s.

Solo artist (2001–present)

In 2001, Franklin ventured into new territory, scoring and producing the soundtrack for the film Kingdom Come. The soundtrack featured gospel artists Mary Mary, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Crystal Lewis, and 1NC, as well as secular artists Az Yet, Jill Scott, Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men and others. A notable song from the soundtrack was "Thank You" (Kirk Franklin feat. Mary Mary).

2002's The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin topped the Gospel Albums chart for 29 weeks, was No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and was certified Platinum. The album featured collaborations with Bishop T.D. Jakes, Shirley Caesar, Willie Neal Johnson, TobyMac, Crystal Lewis, Jaci Velasquez, Papa San, Alvin Slaughter, and Yolanda Adams.

On October 4, 2005, Hero was released in the United States. The album was certified Gold on December 2, 2005 (2005-12-02) and Platinum on December 14, 2006 (2006-12-14) by the Recording Industry Association of America. It made No. 1 on both the Billboard Top Christian and Top Gospel albums. The first single, "Looking for You", was a hit, as was the follow-up "Imagine Me", which made it onto the R&B Charts. In December 2006, Franklin won two 2007 Grammy Awards for Hero. Additionally, Hero was the 2007 Stellar Awards CD of the Year.

Franklin's 10th album, The Fight of My Life, was released in the United States on December 18, 2007 (2007-12-18). The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 33 with 74,000 copies sold in the first week. It reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Top Gospel and Top Christian albums charts, and also peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. The first single, "Declaration (This is It)," was released on October 23, 2007 (2007-10-23) and peaked at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart. The album features guest appearances from Rance Allen, Isaac Carree, TobyMac, Da' T.R.U.T.H., Doug Williams, and Melvin Williams. The song "Jesus" was released as the album's second single in 2008 and was sent to Urban AC radio on July 15, 2008. In January 2010 after Haiti had a devastating earthquake, Franklin got an ensemble of gospel artists together to sing the song he wrote, called "Are You Listening". They included: Yolanda Adams, Jeremy Camp, Shirley Caesar, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Natalie Grant, Fred Hammond, Tamela Mann, David Mann, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Bishop Paul S. Morton, J. Moss, Smokie Norful, Marvin Sapp, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kierra Sheard, BeBe Winans, Cece Winans, and Marvin Winans.

Franklin is the host and co-executive producer of the BET original series Sunday Best and the musical co-host of GSN's The American Bible Challenge with Jeff Foxworthy. Franklin's eleventh studio album called Hello Fear was released on March 22, 2011. The album features Marvin Sapp, Mali Music, Marvin Winans, John P. Kee and Rance Allen. The first single off the album is "I Smile", which peaked at No. 85 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his first appearance on that chart in six years.

In 2013, Franklin started his own record label imprint, Fo Yo Soul Recordings, which is in association with RCA Records, and he has signed acts such as The Walls Group and artists like Tasha Page-Lockhart. These two artists received ten Stellar Award nominations at the 30th Stellar Awards. The Walls Group won seven awards, while Page-Lockhart won three of her own, and Franklin won two more for his label.

In September 2015, Kirk Franklin announced his twelfth studio album, Losing My Religion, the album was on released November 13, 2015. The first single off the album "Wanna Be Happy?" was released on August 28, 2015.

Personal life

On January 20, 1996, Franklin married long-time friend Tammy Collins. When they wed, they each had one child from previous relationships: Kirk's son Kerrion, born in 1988, and Tammy's daughter Carrington (whom he legally adopted), born in 1989. As a couple, they have two children together, a daughter named Kennedy (born in 1997) and a son named Caziah (born in 2000). Carrington became engaged to Maxx Nakwaasah in October 2015.

In 2005, Franklin appeared with his wife on The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss how he ended his pornography addiction.

Discography

Kirk Franklin and The Family

1993: Kirk Franklin & The Family

1995: Kirk Franklin & the Family Christmas

1996: Whatcha Lookin' 4

Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation

1997: God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation

1998: The Nu Nation Project

1999: Nu Nation Tour

Kirk Franklin and 1 Nation Crew

2000: Kirk Franklin Presents 1NC

Kirk Franklin

2002: The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin

2003: A Season of Remixes

2005: Hero

2006: Songs For the Storm, Vol. 1 (compilation)

2007: The Fight of My Life

2011: Hello Fear

2012: The Essential Kirk Franklin (compilation)

2015: Losing My Religion

Tours

The Tour of Life with Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ and Yolanda Adams (1997)

The Nu Nation Tour with Cece Winans, Trinitee 5:7, and Crystal Lewis (1999)

Hopeville Tour with Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams (2003)

I Have A Dream with TobyMac and Souljahz (2003)

Hero Tour with Mary Mary and Da' T.R.U.T.H. (2006)

The Fight of Our Life Health Tour (2009)

Gospel Comedy Tour with Steve Harvey (2011)

Fearless Tour with Isaac Carree, Amber Bullock, Deon Kipping, and Jason Nelson (2011)

The King's Men Tour with Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp, and Israel Houghton (2012)

20 Years in One Night (2016)

Awards

Franklin has received many awards, including Grammys, GMA Dove Awards, BET Award and Stellar Awards.

Wikipedia