Gospel Male

Kirk Franklin

Kirk Franklin wants everyone to know one thing. He’s never going to stop pushing the Envelope. Franklin’s latest musical offering—and 13th studio album—is the aptly titled LONG LIVE LOVE from his RCA-distributed label, Fo Yo Soul Recordings. But even before the album’s May 31st release date, its first single is already laying down some serious groundwork. “Love Theory” bowed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and has kept the position on lock for thirty-nine weeks. The vibrant track marked the singer’s record-extending seventh No. 1, and his second start atop the chart. With 1 million U.S. streams in its first week per Nielsen Music, “Love Theory” also opened at No. 1 on Gospel Streaming Songs as well as Gospel Digital Song Sales. Its colorful and energetic video has accumulated over 17.3 million YouTube views and counting. The album “Long Live Love” and single “Love Theory” won two Grammys in January 2020. Franklin says, “It’s my constant story about this message of love, the love of God, and me trying to play my role in that conversation.”

“We’re living in an era where so many things compete for the attention of our hearts,” says Franklin. “They don’t all have to be bad, but these things can become what matters to us more than they’re supposed to. “Idols” and every song on the album just bubbled up and out—a tapestry of what I believe, how I feel, what I want, and my struggles. It’s the good, the bad, and the ugly,” says Franklin. After culling through 50 to 60 song ideas, Franklin began collaborating with his fraternity of co-producers, Ron Hill, Shaun Martin, Max Stark, and S1. His last album, 2015’s Losing My Religion, won a GRAMMY Award winner for Best Gospel Album in 2017. It boasted guest turns by gospel and R&B artists including Kim Burrell, Lalah Hathaway, Tasha Cobbs, and Tamela Mann. Franklin opted to let the music—a flavorful mélange of gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and other influences—play the feature role on LONG LIVE LOVE. Celebrating his 29th career anniversary this year, the winner of more than 40 Stellar Awards, an NAACP Image Award, and 16 Dove Awards is also busy pushing the envelope in other endeavors. Franklin brought his total GRAMMY tally to 16 Grammys 

at the 62nd annual ceremony. In 2021, Franklin has his eyes set on bringing some fantastic additions to the Kirk Franklin Praise channel on SiriusXM, and starting production on his bio-pic. “You already know what I’m going to say,” Franklin answers with a hearty laugh when asked about the secret behind his career longevity and indefatigable drive to keep pushing. “It’s because of somebody bigger than me and you. I’m the most non-perfect person in the world. But having an opportunity to be here still and communicate this faith that I believe in … I don’t know what else I could ask for.”