5 Ways How Kirk Franklin is Changing the Gospel Industry
Kirk Franklin is the most successful contemporary gospel artist in his time. Although he is not a singer, gained his success as a songwriter and performs with his piano on stage. His style is more inclined to hip hop and is considered more of a hype man.
His performances often includes a band and a group of singers. However, the heart and soul of the act is always centered on Franklin. Here are some of the reasons how Franklin is changing the gospel industry.
1. Kirk Franklin and the Family was the first gospel that debuted to platinum. His next record, Whatcha Lookin’ 4 also went platinum. This earned Franklin his first Grammy Award.
Both of these albums were on top of Billboard’s gospel category. However, as a surprise to many, they were also included in the R&B chart. This became a huge impact on gospel music and became a symbol that gospel music has final crossed over.
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Interscope Records, the same label who handles huge hip hop stars like Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre, partially acquired GospoCentric Records which signed Franklin. Franklin is now the head of a new outfit called God’s Property. He is considered by many as Gospel’s Bob Marley.
3. His next album God’s Property from Kirk Franklin’s Nu Nation found its way to the Top Forty charts with Franklin’s lead single Stomp. The song’s video was regularly played in MTV. The video features Franklin in a white suit and shades.
Meanwhile, the members of God’s Property were dressed in baggy jeans and athletic wear while dancing and posing as if they are in a music club. He collaborated with Parliament-Funkadelic and Cheryl James of Salt-N-Pepa.
God’s Property went double platinum and became the top 3 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. This earned Franklin another Grammy