Kirk Franklin

About

Kirk Dewayne Franklin (born January 26, 1970) is an American gospel songwriter, record producer, rapper, singer, and choir director. Franklin’s accolades include 20 Grammy Awards, and Variety has called him a “Reigning King of Urban Gospel”, with Franklin being one of the inaugural inductees into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame. In his earlier career, his act included choirs such as the Family, God’s Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC).

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Franklin was raised by his aunt, Gertrude, having been abandoned as a baby by his mother. Gertrude recycled aluminum cans to raise money for Kirk to take piano lessons from the age of 4. Kirk excelled and was able to read and write music while also playing by ear.
At the age of seven, Franklin received his first contract, which his aunt turned down. He did join the church choir and became music director of the Mt. Rose Baptist Church adult choir at 11 years of age.
In his teenage years, Franklin rebelled against his strict religious upbringing, 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…