 
In 1997, Kirk Franklin and God's Property introduced
gospel to pop radio and MTV viewers with his
breakthrough hit "Stomp." Without
sacrificing credibility, Franklin was able to take
the message of gospel and combine it with the urgency
of experiencing daily true-life struggles. His drive
and charisma led him to become the biggest-selling
gospel artist in history. Kirk Franklin grew up with
religion and music in his life. He was raised as a
Baptist by an aunt (after being abandoned by his
mother) and began learning to play the piano at the
age of 4. Franklin was offered a record contract when
he was 7, but his aunt and uncle turned down the
offer. Franklin was at the forefront of his church
choir at the Mt. Rose Baptist Church in Dallas by the
age of 11 (earning $100 a month as the minister of
music). As a teenager, Franklin rebelled against his
religion and music ("Trust me, there were times
when I could've been killed, I could've been shot, I
could've been addicted to drugs or alcohol...) until
a friend was killed. He soon returned to what was
safe for him and began creating his own gospel music.
Franklin achieved gospel crossover stardom when he
hooked up with God's Property - a gospel group from
Texas consisting of over 50 members and a 5-piece
backup band. Franklin has said of his work: "Our
music transcends race... our music is about sending
the only message that can save the lives of our
youth... white, black and otherwise... the message
that God loves them and has a plan for them."
Franklin began his gospel sound with backup by
"The Family" which consisted of 17 members.
Franklin said of The Family: "there is no doubt
that The Family is the vocal strength of the music
that I do... when I give them a song, they put their
seasoning on it. Their vocal flavor isn't like any
other."
Linda Searlight formed God's Property with the
intention of creating a gospel choir for inner-city
youth and an emphasis on artistic expression. The age
of the choir members range from teens to mid-20s.
Franklin signed with the independent record label,
GospoCentric.
Kirk
Franklin & The Family was released and suddenly
Franklin was one of the biggest gospel music stars.
The LP was recorded in 1992 at Grace Temple Church in
Texas and spent almost 2 years on the gospel charts,
charted on R&B charts, and went platinum. Kirk
Franklin & The Family also topped the Billboard Top
Gospel Albums chart for 36 weeks into 1995.
Kirk
Franklin & The Family topped the Billboard
Contemporary Christian Albums chart for 14 weeks.
Christmas was released.
Kirk Franklin & The Family topped the Billboard Year-End Chart-Toppers as the Top Gospel Artist and
Top Gospel Album (Kirk
Franklin & The Family).
Christmas topped the Billboard Gospel
Albums chart for 8 weeks.
 Whatcha
Lookin' 4
was released through a division of Interscope Records
(which is affiliated with Deathrow Records). The LP
was actually recorded in '94.
Whatcha
Lookin' 4
eventually topped the Billboard Contemporary
Christian Albums chart for 19 weeks and the Gospel
Albums chart for 30 weeks.
 Kirk Franklin & God's Property:
# 125
Singles Artist of the Year
Franklin won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul
Gospel Album (Whatcha
Lookin' 4).
Franklin and God's Property combined forces with the
release of God's
Property From Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation with the hit single
on R&B and pop charts, "Stomp." The debut LP by God's Property
was produced by Franklin and went Top 10 on the pop
charts. Salt of Salt-N-Pepa even helped out on one version
of "Stomp" for the LP and video. Salt (aka
Cheryl James) said of Franklin and God's Property's
crossover popularity: "Young people don't want
to sing 'We Shall Overcome'... we feel like we have
overcome, and we're looking for inspiration and
empowerment... Kirk brings lots of fun to it."
For the first time in history, MTV was playing a
gospel video in heavy rotation.
God's
Property From Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation topped the Billboard Gospel
Albums chart for 43 weeks.
"Stomp" topped the Billboard R&B
Singles Airplay chart for 2 weeks and God's
Property From Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation topped the Billboard
R&B Albums chart for 5 weeks.
God's Property hit the Top 40 with "Stomp."
Franklin topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the Top Gospel Artist.
Franklin and God's Property won a Grammy Award for Best
Gospel Album by a Choir or Chorus (God's
Property From Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation) and were also nominated for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo
or Group and Best R&B Song (awarded to
the songwriter) ("Stomp"). Franklin was also nominated for
Producer of the Year.
Franklin's next LP, Nu
Nation Project, was released . The first single,
"Lean On Me," had some help by Bono of U2, Mary J. Blige, and R. Kelly. The single's proceeds went
toward helping Southern churches which had been
victims of arson.
Franklin ended the year by starting a concert tour in
New Orleans in late December.
Kirk Franklin & God's Property won 2 Gospel Music
Association Dove Awards for Best Urban Album and Best
Urban Recorded Song ("Stomp").
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.
Franklin topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the Top Gospel Artists and
God's Property topped the Billboard Year-End Charts with the Top Gospel Album (God's
Property From Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation).
Kirk Franklin talked CNN about his fans:
"We don't have fans, we have friends... and when
you look at them as friends, everybody (is) coming
together for the same purpose, just getting excited
about our faith."
Franklin also talked with Variety:
"People's hopes and faith have been damaged so
much, with by the political system or by the church
building or the church elders... The music is pure,
because the music stands on its own... I wanted to
make it enjoyable and entertaining, but at the same
time let the entertainment be the preparation for
people's minds and hearts, so when it's time to
share, the songs are ministry, and they're able to
receive it."
Franklin won another Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul
Gospel Album for (Nu
Nation Project) and was also nominated for Song of the
Year (songwriter), Best R&B Song (awarded to
the songwriter) and
Best R&B Vocal Performance
by a Duo or Group ("Lean On Me" (with Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Bono, Crystal Lewis
& The Family)). Franklin became the first gospel
artist to receive a Grammy Award nomination for Song
of the Year (for "Lean On Me").
Franklin topped the Billboard Year-End Chart-Toppers as the Top Contemporary
Christian Artist and Top Gospel Artist, and with the
Top Contemporary Christian Album and Top Gospel Album
(Nu
Nation Project).
Franklin won an Essence Award, 2 NAACP Image Awards
for Best Song ("Lean On Me'), and Outstanding
Gospel Artist, a Soul Train Music Award for Best
Gospel Album (Nu
Nation Project), and was nominated for a Soul Train
Music Award for Best R&B Soul Single, Male
("Lean On Me").
'The Family' filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit for
royalties for Nu
Nation Project against Franklin and GospoCentric
Records.
Franklin oversaw the soundtrack for Kingdom
Come.
God's
Property From Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation was certified 3x platinum.
Franklin released The
Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin which topped the Billboard
Gospel Albums chart for 29 weeks.
The
Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin topped the Billboard Hot
R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
The
Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin was certified gold.
Franklin topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the Top Gospel Artist and
with the Top Gospel Album (The
Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin).
Franklin won Soul Train Music Award for
Gospel Album (The
Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin).
The
Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin was certified platinum.
Franklin could be heard on the Passion
Of The Christ: Songs compilation with Yolanda Adams with
"How Many Lashes."
Franklin released Hero.
Franklin topped the Billboard Top Christian Album
chart and Top Gospel Album chart with Hero.
Hero topped the Billboard Top
Gospel LP chart for 34 weeks.
Hero was certified gold.
Franklin was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance
("Looking For You").
Franklin won a BET Award for Best Gospel Artist.
Franklin hit the R&B charts with "Imagine
Me."
Franklin won an American Music Award for Favorite Contemporary
Inspirational Artist.
Franklin released Songs
From The Storm, Volume 1.
Franklin topped the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart
for 2 weeks with Songs
From The Storm, Volume 1.
Franklin topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the Top Gospel Artist and
with the Top Gospel Album (Hero).
Hero was certified gold.
Franklin won 2 Grammy Awards for Best
Gospel Song (awarded to songwriter) ("Imagine
Me") and for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel
Album (Hero).
Franklin won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel
Album (Songs
From The Storm, Volume 1).
Franklin could be heard on the compilation Interpretations:
Celebrating The Music Of Earth, Wind & Fire with the cover
"September."
Franklin won a BET Award for Best Gospel Artist.
Franklin released Fight
Of My Life.
Franklin topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the Top Gospel Album
Artist.
Franklin won 2 Grammy Awards for Best
Gospel Song (awarded to the songwriter) ("Help
Me Believe") and Best Contemporary R&B
Gospel Album (Fight
Of My Life).
Franklin released Hello
Fear.
Franklin won 2 Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Song
("Hello Fear") and Best Gospel Album (Hello
Fear).
Hello
Fear was
certified gold.
- January 31: Franklin was nominated
for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary
Christian Music Performance/Song ("Sunday
Morning").
- April 3: Franklin was nominated
for a Grammy Award for Best
Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
("We Win").
 February 5: Franklin won 3 Grammy Awards including Best Gospel
Performance/Song ("Kingdom") and Best
Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
("Fear Is Not My Future"), and Best
Gospel Album (Kingdom Book One Deluxe)
with Maverick City Music.
|
Kirk
Franklin & The Family
Released: June, 1993
US:
Platinum
Tracks: "Why We Sing" -
"He's Able" - "Silver And
Gold" - "Call On The Lord" -
"Real Love" - "He Can Handle
It" - "Letter From My Friend" -
"Family Worship Medley" - "Speak
To Me" - "Till We Meet Again" |
 |
Christmas
Released: November, 1995
Tracks: "Silent Night" -
"Now Behold The Lamb" - "Jesus Is
The Reason For The Season" - "Go Tell
It On The Mountain" - "They Need To
Know" - "There's No Christmas Without
You" - "O Come All Ye Faithful" -
"Night That Christmas Was Born" -
"Thank You For Your Child" - "Love
Song" - "Silver & Gold"
(Remix) |
|
Whatcha
Lookin' 4
Released: April, 1996
US:
Platinum
Billboard peak: # 23
Tracks: "Savior More Than Life"
- "Whatcha Lookin' 4" - "Melodies
From Heaven" - "Conquers" -
"Don't Take Your Joy Away" - "When
I Think About Jesus" - "Mama's
Song" - "Jesus Paid It All" -
"I Love You Jesus" - "Washed
Away" - "Where The Spirit Is" -
"Let Me Touch You" - "Anything 4
U" - "Whatcha Lookin' 4" (Remix) -
"Melodies From Heaven" (Skate Remix) |
|
God's
Property From Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation
Released: May, 1997
US:
3x Platinum
Billboard peak: # 3
Tracks: "Stomp" - "My Life Is In Your
Hands" - "It's Rainin'" -
"More Than I Can Bear" - "Up Above
My Head" - "Love" - "Sweet
Spirit" - "Faith" - "You Are
The Only One" - "So Good" -
"Storm Is Over Now" - "Stomp"
(Original Mix) - "He Will Take The Pain
Away" |
|
Nu
Nation Project
Released: September, 1998
US:
2x Platinum
Billboard peak: # 7
Rolling Stone review: 
Tracks: "Revolution" -
"Lean On Me" - "Something About
The Name Jesus" - "Riverside" -
"He Loves Me" - "Gonna Be A Lovely
Day" - "Praise Joint" (Remix) -
"Hold Me Now" - "You Are" -
"If You've Been Delivered" -
"Smile Again" - "Love"
(Remix) - "My Desire" - "Blessing
In The Storm" - "I Can" |
|
The
Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin
Released: February, 2002
US:
Platinum
Billboard peak: # 4
Tracks: "Hosanna" - "Caught
Up" - "911" - "The Blood
Song" - "Brighter Day" - "My
Life, My Love, My All" - "Lookin' Out
For Me" - "He Reigns" -
"Don't Cry" - "The
Translation" - "Always" -
"When I Get There" - "Outro (The
Blood)" |
|
Hero
Released: October, 2005
US:
Gold
Billboard peak: # 13
Tracks: "Intro" - "America
The Beautiful" - "Looking For You"
- "Hero" - "Let It Go" -
"Process" - "Imagine Me" -
"Could've Been" - "Better" -
"Afterwhile" -
"Brokenhearted" - "Without
You" - "Keep Your Head" -
"Why" - "First Love" -
"Appeal" - "Brokenhearted"
(Reprise) - "Sunshine" -
"Outro" |
|
Songs
From The Storm, Volume 1
Released: November, 2006
Tracks: "Intro" - "He Will
Take The Pain Away" - "Let Me Touch
You" - "When I Get There" -
"Conquerors" - "When You
Fall" - "Blessing In The Storm" -
"The Storm Is Over Now" - "You
Are" - "The Family Worship Medley"
- "Melodies From Heaven" - "Look
At me Now" |
|
Fight
Of My Life
Released: December, 2007
US:
Gold
Billboard peak: # 33
Tracks: "Declaration (This Is
It!)" - "Little Boy" (featuring
Rance Allen) - "Help Me Believe" -
"Hide Me" - "How It Used To
Be" - "He Will Supply" -
"Jesus" - "I Am God"
(featuring Toby Mac) - "It Would Take All
Day" - "A Whole Nation" -
"Still In Love" - "I Like Me"
- "Chains" - "Still (In
Control)" - "The Last Jesus" |
|
Hello
Fear
Released: March, 2011
US:
Gold
Billboard
Top 200 LPs
peak:
# 10
Tracks: "Hello Fear" - "The
Story Of Fear" - "Before I Die" -
"I Am" - "But The Blood" -
"Everyone Hurts" - "I Smile"
- "Give Me" - "Never Alone"
(Interlude) - "The Altar" -
"Something About The Name Jesus Pt. 2"
- "Today" - "The Moment #1" -
"The Moment #2" - "A God Like
You" |
iTunes
Amazon.mp3 |
Losing
My Religion
Released: November 13, 2015
Billboard
Top 200 LPs
peak:
# 10
Tracks: "Losing My Religion" -
"Miracles" - "123 Victory" -
"Road Trip" - "Pray For Me" -
"Wanna Be Happy?" - "It's
Time" - "True Story" -
"Over" - "When" - "My
World Needs You" - "Intercession"
- "No Sleep Tonight" |
iTunes
Amazon.mp3 |
Long
Live Love
Released: May 31, 2019
Tracks: "F.A.V.O.R." -
"Love Theory" - "Idols" -
"Just For Me" - "Father Knows
Best" - "OK" - "Strong
God" - "Forever / Beautiful Grace"
- "Spiritual" - "Wynter's
Promise" |
|
Father's
Day
Released: October 6, 2023
Tracks: "Welcome Home" -
"Try Love" - "All Things" -
"Needs" - "You Still Love Us"
- "Listen" - "Unconditional"
- "Again" (with Le'Andria Johnson) -
"Again & Again" (with Chandler
Moore, Tori Kelly, Jonathan McReynolds &
Jekalyn Carr) - "Somebody's Son" |
| Note: Song title and position
links lead you to the song's Top 40 chart run
(from the ARC Weekly Top 40) and LP links take you to Amazon.com's page for that LP (often
including track listings and sound samples). |
|
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