Kirk Franklin 

 

Soul, R&B and Gospel music have always gone together like texting and abbreviations. But that wasn't quite enough for Kirk Franklin, who added hip-hop to the mix with his self-titled 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.
"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:

• Born on January 26, 1970
• 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, 11 Doves, 33 Stellars and 3 NAACP Image Awards