10 Little Known Facts About Kirk Franklin   

10 Little Known Facts About Kirk Franklin   

Kirk Dewayne Franklin is an award-winning American musician who is one of the most influential figures in gospel music. Known for his powerful voice, soulful lyrics, and contagious energy, Kirk blends gospel, R&B, and hip-hop to create a unique sound that resonates with listeners of all ages and backgrounds. 

He is intentional about spreading the message of hope and redemption through his music and has inspired countless individuals to embrace faith and be hopeful in the face of adversity. Kirk is a trailblazer who has carved out a unique space in the music industry for close to 30 years. 

Though Franklin produces hit after hit, there is more to him than just his music. He is a vocal advocate for social justice and is also a mentor to many young artists, making him such an important figure in contemporary gospel music. Here are 10 little-known facts about Kirk Franklin. 

1. Kirk Was Brought Up By His Aunt 

John Mathew Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kirk Franklin was born on 26th January 1970 in Fort Worth, Texas. His parents were not interested in raising a child, so his aunt Gertrude took it upon herself to bring up the young boy. She did everything in her power to support his talents, including recycling cans to afford luxuries like piano lessons for Kirk. 

His aunt’s household was religious, and they all strictly attended church services thus influencing his spiritual life from a young age.  

Kirk began playing the piano before he was five years old, thanks to the piano lessons his aunt enrolled him in. By the time he was 10 years, his musical skills were awesome, and he began leading the church choir.  

Check out this list of Iconic Singers from Fort Worth, Texas.

2. He Was A Teenage Dad 

Due to teenage peer pressure, Kirk dropped out of high school after being expelled for bad behavior. He was abusing drugs and alcohol and had completely lost his way. He turned his life around when an incident in which his friend was shot brought him back to his senses.  

Unfortunately, by then his girlfriend was pregnant, making the singer a teenage dad. Though he did not graduate, he went back to school and earned his GED. 

3. He’s A Musical Genius With A Rare Talent

CL Holly, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kirk is not only a singer, choirmaster, and songwriter, but he also has the unique ability to listen to music and reproduce it without having seen it on any form of sheet music. The skill is known as ‘playing by ear’ and is a desirable trait in musicians. 

Kirk has formed several gospel groups over the years, with 7 of his albums being in partnership with the groups. His unique musical style, his ability to connect with audiences, and his cultural impact make him a true musical genius. 

4. Kirk Is An Award-winning Singer With Many Accolades 

Kirk’s music is amazing and his energetic plus high-energy performances place him as a cut above the rest. His ability to connect with audiences through his music is evidenced by his numerous awards and accolades. Kirk was presented with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with youth and education. 

Kirk has nearly 20 Grammys and numerous other Awards, having sold millions of albums. Of the 13 albums he has so far, 6 are solo albums. The singer is an inductee in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.  

5. He Is A Family Man

Kirk and his then-girlfriend Shawn Ewing had a child, Kerrion Franklin when they were teenagers. He later met and married his wife, Tammy Collins, who also had a child, Carrington, from a previous relationship and he legally adopted her. The couple got two more children together, Kennedy and Caziah, thus the family has 4 children. 

The singer has a strained relationship with his first son Kerrion. The latter released an audio recording on social media in which his dad was yelling and cursing at him during an argument, threatening to break his neck for disrespecting him.  

Kirk later apologized for his language and behavior in the recording, adding that they had been in therapy for years to try to repair their relationship. The two had not made significant progress but don’t we all fall short of God’s glory? 

6. Kirk Has Worked With Other Artists Over The Years 

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Kirk has collaborated with numerous other artists throughout his career and is highly respected in the industry. Having worked with both established and up-and-coming artists across various genres, this singer has bridged the gap between gospel and secular music, introducing his music and message of hope to a broader audience. 

Some of the artists he has worked with include Stevie Wonder, Bono, R. Kelly, Crystal Lewis, The Clark Sisters, Tasha Cobbs, and Mary J. Blige. Kirk has also produced several albums for other gospel artists like Tamela Mann, Tye Tribbett, and The Walls Group. 

Read facts about Bono here.

7. He Is Vocal About Social Issues 

Kirk has been a vocal advocate for social justice and has spoken out against racism, and police brutality, especially supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. He has also spoken up on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community being discriminated against especially within the church, calling out homophobia.  

He is also a mental health awareness advocate, speaking openly about his own struggles with depression. Kirk constantly uses his platform to raise awareness about social justice issues. 

8. Kirk Has Done Soundtracks For Film And TV Shows 

CL Holly, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This singer has a presence in the film and television industry, both as a performer and a composer. He has contributed to the soundtracks of various movies and TV shows and has even appeared on screen in some productions.  

Kirk founded The Franklin Imagine Group, a company that produces film, television, and music projects. He executive produces some productions, appears as a choir director in others, is interviewed on talk shows, and has been a judge on reality singing competition shows, among other gigs on TV and film. 

9. He Is A Philanthropist 

Kirk has been involved in various philanthropic efforts throughout his career, using his influence as a musician and public figure to raise awareness plus funds for causes that he cares about. 

He has worked with Make-A-Wish Foundation, the American Heart Association, and other organizations such as World Vision and Feed the Children to address issues of hunger and poverty around the world. 

10. Kirk Is A Motivational Speaker And Author 

John Mathew Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

While Kirk is best known as a gospel musician, he is also a writer and motivational speaker. His first book was ‘Church Boy: My Music and My Life’ which is a memoir that explores his journey as a musician and his experiences growing up in the church. The book was well-received and became a bestseller.  

He went on to write other books like ‘The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms’ and ‘The Fight of My Life: Confessions of an Unlikely Worshiper.’  

Kirk is open about his struggles with alcohol and pornography addiction, and how finding God has helped him through it. He speaks openly and shares his story, offering motivation and inspiration to others at conferences, churches, and other events. 

This singer uses these platforms to encourage others to pursue their dreams and overcome challenges. 

This legend’s impact on the gospel music industry cannot be overstated. With groundbreaking music from his early days to the present, Kirk has not only created a sound that is uniquely his but also used his platform to bring attention to important social issues and inspire change. He truly is a music icon. 

Read facts about gospel singers Tasha Cobbs and Cece Winans too.