Table of Biography
Early Life
Kirk Franklin came to the world on the 26th of January 1970, in Fort Worth, Texas, in the United States of America. It makes him 53 years old as of 2023 and holds American nationality. In did, he has a horoscope of Aquarius and practices Christianity religion. Similarly, this singer belongs to the African-American ethnicity.
There is not much known related to his parents and their professions. In addition, he was raised by his aunt, Gertrude, having been abandoned as a baby by his mother. Franklin’s parents were teenagers, and his mother abandoned him at the age of 3.
His aunt Gertrude recycled aluminum cans to raise money for Kirk to take piano lessons from the age of four. When he was just 7 years old, he was offered a recording contract, but his aunt turned it down. He used to joined the church choir and was appointed choir director at the age of 11. During his teenage years, he rebelled against his strict upbringing.
Moreover, he used to hang out in the streets, drank, and smoke pot, until witnessing a close friend get shot when Franklin was 15. After this, he returned to the church, joined the choir, and co-founded his first gospel group, The Humble Hearts.
Caption: Kirk Franklin’s old photo (Source: Black Music Scholar)
During his teenage years, he rebelled against his strict upbringing. Moreover, he used to hang out in the streets, drank, and smoke pot, until witnessing a close friend get shot when Franklin was 15. After this, he returned to the church, joined the choir, and co-founded his first gospel group, The Humble Hearts.
Education
Talking about his academic background, he attended at enrolled in Oscar Dean Wyatt High School. But, he gets expelled for bad behavior before graduation. After his great uncle and his aunt, Gertrude when he was 17, leaving Franklin to fend for himself.
As a result, he started working as a pianist for his previous music teacher and her choir, Jewell Kelly, and The Singing Chaparrals.
Professional Career
Kirk recorded one of his compositions by The Humble Hearts led to his being invited to lead the DFW Mass Choir in a recording, and his big break came at the 1990 Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention.
He organized “The Family” in 1992, which was a 17-voice choir, formed from neighborhood friends and associates. He signed a contract with GospoCentric Records later. Their debut album, “Kirk Franklin & The Family,” was released in the year 1993 and it has since been certified platinum after selling over 1 million copies.
Their second album, “Kirk Franklin and the Family Christmas,” was released in 1995. In 1996, the group released “Whatcha Lookin’ 4 ” and the was certified 2× platinum. Before starting his solo career, he released several subsequent albums with The Family, and the group God’s Property.
Solo career
In the year 2000, he began his solo career, and he produced the soundtrack for the film Kingdom Come (2001). Later, he released his live album “The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin” in February 2002.
This album topped the Gospel Albums chart for 29 weeks, was No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and was certified Platinum. Similarly, this singer’s fondness for collaborations within secular and Christian music circles, and his innate knack for combining charismatic gospel with R&B and hip-hop, have continued to appeal to a wide people.
Moreover, his success continued throughout the decade, first with 2005’s “Hero” and then with 2007’s all-star affair “The Fight of My Life.”
Caption: Kirk Franklin performing in the stage (Source: Praiseworld Radio)
After the tragic earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 2010, he assembled an even bigger crowd of gospel all-stars in Nashville’s Quad Studios to record the benefit single “Are You Listening.”
His next studio album “Hello Fear” was released in 2011 and featured “I Smile,” his first hit on the Billboard Hot 100 since 2005. After this, he spent two and a half years touring. In November 2015, he formed his own label, Fo Yo Soul, and released “Losing My Religion.”
During the period of extensive touring, Franklin co-produced Tori Kelly’s 2018 album “Hiding Place” and launched the Exodus Music & Arts Festival in Dallas. On the 31st of May 31, 2019, he released his 13th studio album, “Long Live Love.”
The album includes singles like ‘Love Theory,’ ‘Just for Me,’ and ‘OK.’ It announces in February 2019 that BET’s gospel music reality singing competition, Sunday Best would return from a four-year hiatus.
Where Franklin will reprise his role as host. He along with American rapper Lil Baby released the song “We Win” for the soundtrack to the 2021 film “Space Jam: A New Legacy.”
Awards
Caption: Kirk Franklin giving speech after winning the Grammy Award (Source: GMusicPlus.com)
This American contemporary gospel singer has won numerous awards and nominations for his work in music. He has won 19 Grammy Awards, 23 Stellar Awards, 23 Dove Awards, one Urban Music Award, one Soul Train Award, and one American Music Award, in his musical career.
Kirk Franklin – Net Worth 2023
Being a well-known singer, director, and author, he has collected a good sum of money in his career. As of 2022, his net worth is around $8.5 million. He mostly earns from his albums, direction, concerts, and ads.
Relationship Status
Caption: Kirk Franklin with his wife (Source: Instagram)
On the 20th of January 1995, Kirk married his long-time friend Tammy Collins. When the couple married, they each had one child from previous relationships. Moreover, the couple has two children together and all together they have a total of four kids; Kerrion, Caziah, Kennedy, and Carrington Franklin.
Body Measurements
Caption: Kirk Franklin posing for a photo (Source: Instagram)
Franklin stands 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 cm) and weighs around 77 kg (170 lbs). In addition, he has dark brown eyes color and is bald. Apart from this, there is not much known related to his other body stats.
Kirk Franklin – Social Media
On his Instagram page ‘@kirkfranklin’ there are 2.6 million followers. Likewise, there are over 1.9 million followers on his Twitter page ‘@kirkfranklin’ and over 4.4 million followers on his Facebook. In addition, he has a self-titled YouTube channel, there are over 1.6 million subscribers on his YouTube channel.