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the summer of 1993 a young unknown gospel musician from Fort
Worth, Texas, released – to little initial fanfare –
his self-titled debut album, Kirk Franklin and The Family.
Wildly accepted and embraced almost immediately by the masses,
it went on to spend 100 weeks at the top of the Billboard
gospel charts, while also crossing over to the R&B side,
and becoming in the process the first gospel album ever to
sell over a million units. But despite that auspicious, record-shattering
entrance, the world had seen only the smallest foreshadowing
of the work of a man who, in less than a decade, would become
one of the pivotal, defining forces in contemporary gospel
music. Throughout his meteoric career, Franklin has skillfully
combined soul, gospel, hip-hop, and pop into a multicolored
tapestry. Since his 1993 debut, Franklin has gone on to win
3 Grammys, 33 Stellar and 9 Dove Awards. To say that Kirk
Franklin has been instrumental in changing the landscape of
contemporary gospel music would be a gross understatement. |
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Kirk
Franklin will play himself in "Church Boy," an autobiographical
movie that follows the singer from his abandonment by a young
mother to his directing a Texas choir at age 11, a teenage
dive into sex and drugs and his ultimate redemption and success. |
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Kirk
Franklin received two 2007 Grammy Awards for Hero (Best Contemporary
R&B Gospel Album) and for Imagine Me (Best Gospel Song).
Hero also won CD of the Year at the 2007 Stellar Awards. In
addition, Kirk picked up two Dove Awards for Looking for You
(Urban Recorded Song of the Year) and for Hero (Urban Album
of the Year). |
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Kirk
Franklin appears as Simon Peter in The
Bible Experience,
where the Bible is brought to life by a collection of distinguished
African-American artists and personalities. |
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Hero:
Kirk Franklin
Kirk
Franklin, the gospel music innovator has, once again, raised
the bar with this new album. Hero features a host of musical
all-stars including musical genius Stevie Wonder, Yolanda
Adams, Sheila E, Dorinda Clark-Cole, tobyMac, Tye Tribbett,
J. Moss and POD’s Sonny Sandoval among others. With
the release of Hero, Franklin steps to the next level in his
remarkable career and remains in the forefront of influencing
future generations with his inspiring and timeless gospel
message. In addition to the first single, “Looking For
You,” a signature hype record — featuring the
classic Patrice Rushen sample “Looking For You”
— that Kirk’s fans have come to love and expect
from him, the CD includes the title track, “Hero,”
which chronicles the journey of mankind from destitution and
depravity to redemption and restoration.
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Kirk
Franklin Presents: Songs for the Storm Volume 1
Kirk
Franklin presents a collection of songs that he has personally
chosen from his catalog. They all speak to weathering the
storms of life, and include one brand new song, "Look
At Me Now". Powerful tracks include "He Will Take
The Pain Away", "Let Me Touch You", "When
I Get There", "Conquerors", and of course,
"Blessing In The Storm". Franklin's signature hit
single, "Melodies From Heaven" is also in the mix.
For over 15 years this award-winning artist has written some
of the most dynamic and riveting worship songs that have become
gospel classics. Kirk's masterful gifts have served to shape
and mainstream urban worship music like none other. Following
the success of Kirk’s album Hero this album is sure
to be hugely popular in the gospel and praise market. Enhanced
with the music video for "Imagine Me".
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The
Rebirth of Kirk Franklin: Kirk Franklin
Never
one to shy away from revealing himself and doing so unconventionally,
Kirk Franklin returns with his strong statement of faith in
the conceptual Rebirth of Kirk Franklin. From the deeply personal
opening to the ending, Franklin takes us on a journey of faith
littered with doubt, struggles, and a sincerity that's hard
to resist. This mostly live release includes a handful of
cameo appearances by the likes of Bishop TD Jakes, Yolanda
Adams, and Jaci Velasquez. Ably backed by a tight band and
the powerhouse Vocals of Life choir, Franklin takes no prisoners
on the blistering "Hosana," "Caught Up,"
and the Rasta-flavored "He Reigns," featuring Papa
San. Franklin's songwriting prowess also surfaces in quieter
numbers like "Don't Cry" and "Always."
On Rebirth, Franklin's colors have never shown brighter.
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Church
Boy: My Music and My Life
Church
Boy intimately chronicles the life of Kirk Franklin, his tough
childhood, his amazing conversion, and his meteoric rise to
gospel music stardom. Franklin's rise to the higher echelons
of gospel music is more surprising when you read this autobiography.
Raised by his aunt, rebellious as a teenager, struggling with
his carnal nature even after he was ministering in gospel
music, this honest account of a life slowly turned around
by the grace of God is both inspiring and challenging. Beginning
with an incident in 1996 when he fell off a stage in Memphis
and nearly died, Kirk describes his life and the lessons he
has learnt. Reading about some of his struggles, mistakes
and sins, you will be left feeling that if God can use someone
like Franklin then there is hope for the rest of us!
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Interpretations:
Celebrating the Music of Earth Wind & Fire
The
revived Stax label marks its 50-year anniversary with a tribute
album to one of the best-loved bands in modern R&B. Among
the artists performing their interpretations of Earth, Wind
& Fire favorites are the singer Angie Stone, who channels
Aretha Franklin on her rendition of "Be Ever Wonderful,"
the fiery Chaka Khan, who tears up "Shining Star,"
and the nu-soul diva Meshell Ndegeocello, whose version of
"Fantasy" is almost a match for the original. The
album's first single was an interpretation of "September"
by platinum Contemporary Gospel artist Kirk Franklin, a man
among the chosen few to successfully return more spiritual
music to the secular airwaves. Dedicated to the people of
New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama, Franklin's rendition
of "September" reinforces faith and fortitude using
the seasons as a metaphor for the sunshine and rain of life.
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Got something to say? Please share your comments. |
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Hear
the words of the Bible brought to life like never before.
The Bible Experience is a fully-dramatized reading of the
Bible performed by an unprecedented ensemble of distinguished
African-American actors, musicians, and personalities.
The
Bible Experience
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Respected
gospel star Kirk Franklin revealed his X-rated secret on The
Oprah Winfrey Show — he was once addicted to pornography.
Where can men turn if they want to escape the stranglehold
of porn that is ruining their lives, careers and relationships?
Breaking
Free From Pornography |
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"Versatile
is who I am," the ever-amped and spirited rapper shouts!
"I make music for everybody — stuff for the West
Coast gangsters and lowriders, and joints that East Coast
cats can appreciate lyrically with beats that can still get
the South crunk.
T-Bone |
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Is it
possible to have holy hip hop? According to G Craige Lewis
of The Truth Behind Hip Hop the answer is no. He claims that
hip-hop is not music, but a religion. However, many take a
different view, believing that the church can use rap music
to reach out to young people.
Holy
Hip Hop |
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Dijon
Prioleau, a 14-year-old singer/songwriter from South Carolina,
is being hailed as the music industry’s next young superstar.
He has been compared to gospel music greats in their youth
but, he has a unique style and talent to share with his audience.
Dijon
Prioleau: A Kid's Point of View |
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