Kirk Franklin is one of the most adored figures in gospel music, thanks to his willingness to welcome secular artists into the genre. In addition to other gospel elites, Franklin has worked with the likes of Lil Baby, GloRilla, Kanye West, and Chance the Rapper throughout the course of his over thirty-year career.
Franklin got his start as just a child when his grandmother put him in piano lessons. This planted the seeds of his love for music, leading him to become a choir director while still in his teens. After forming the gospel group, The Humble Hearts, Franklin attracted the attention of one of the biggest names in the genre, which skyrocketed his success.
Kirk Franklin’s First Major Gig Came About When He Was Just 20 Years Old
After The Humble Hearts recorded one of Franklin’s arrangements, Georgia Mass Choir musical director and gospel music icon Reverand Milton Biggham. He hired Franklin, who was just 20 at the time, to direct the DFW Mass Choir in a recording of “Every Day with Jesus,” written by Franklin. Biggham was left impressed, hiring Franklin again to lead the choir during the 1990 Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention, an industry gathering of artists and fans that is still around today.
Two years later, Franklin organized his 17-member choir, “The Family.” They began recording demo tapes, one of which landed on the desk of Vicki Mack-Lataillade, the co-founder of GospoCentric Records label. Rebranded as Kirk Franklin & The Family, they were signed to the label. It’s unknown how much Franklin and the members were paid in this deal, but they unveiled their self-titled debut album in 1993. The release was met with instant success, spending nearly two years on the gospel music charts, selling over two million copies, thanks to hits such as Silver & Gold. With such a massive debut, Franklin would reveal years later that he made absolutely no publishing revenue from the album due to a bad contract he and his group signed.
Kirk Franklin Worked With Groups and as a Solo Artist
Kirk Franklin & The Family followed up in 1995 with Christmas album Kirk Franklin & the Family Christmas and Whatcha Lookin’ 4 in 1996. The latter went platinum and earned Franklin his first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. In 1997, Franklin collaborated with another group, God’s Property. Together, they released God’s Property from Kirk Franklin’s Nu Nation, which produced the lead single, “Stomp.”
This showcased one of the composer’s first crossover hits, featuring Cheryl “Salt” James of Salt-N-Pepa. God’s Property from Kirk Franklin’s Nu Nation earned Franklin Grammy number two for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. Franklin’s third Grammy arrived thanks to 1998’s The Nu Nation Project. This time, mainstream R&B and pop artists appeared on this album, including Mary J. Blige and Bono of U2. By 2001, Franklin was beginning to explore more solo endeavors. He produced the soundtrack for the comedy Kingdom Come. The following year, The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin was released, topping the Gospel Albums chart for 29 weeks, featuring appearances by Bishop T.D. Jakes, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, and more. These early works helped solidify Franklin’s run, which now includes over 10 albums.
Kirk Franklin Has Also Found Success in Books in Media
By 2010, Franklin had secured seven of his 20 career Grammys. Despite the success and his marriage to Tammy Collins, Franklin had been dealing with a pornography addiction. In 2010, he published the book The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms, which details how his struggles nearly ended his marriage. It’s unknown how much Franklin made from the book.
While pushing his story as a cautionary tale, Franklin also served as the host and co-executive producer of the BET gospel singing competition Sunday Best, which he joined in 2007. The show ran for ten seasons until 2020. Additionally, Franklin was the co-host of GSN’s The American Bible Challenge. While it’s unclear how much Franklin was paid in these deals, several outlets have reported that his speaking fee alone can reach the six digits. Therefore, it’s likely he was compensated handsomely for his contributions to these series, all contributing to his millions in the bank.
Kirk Franklin’s Net Worth
In the decades that followed his train of success, 55-year-old Kirk Franklin racked up a $8.5 million net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth. While there’s no telling what’s next for the singer, we can assume that great things will keep this net worth and Franklin’s legacy afloat for even more decades to come. Kirk Franklin is more than just a musician – he’s a movement and a perfect example of what happens when talent and purpose combine to great, Earth-shaking effect.
