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Kirk Franklin: Gospel
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The first gospel artist ever to go platinum, Kirk Franklin is one of America's few successful crossover acts. This 1999 concert video (... featuring CeCe Winans) was filmed live at the Baltimore Arena and was directed by actress and choreographer Debbie Allen. Tracks include "Revolution," "Praise Joint," "Melodies from Heaven," "Whatcha Lookin' 4," "Riverside," "Gonna Be a Lovely Day," "He's Able" and many more.
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A major voice in gospel before the age of 30, Kirk Franklin is back with a new release inspired by the controversial film The Passion of the Christ. The award-winning songwriter and producer speaks with NPR's Tavis Smiley about his music and why he feels that music is his mission.
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To say that Kirk Franklin has been instrumental in changing the landscape of Contemporary Gospel Music would be a gross understatement. Since his 1993 debut, Franklin has gone on to win 3 Grammy’s, 33 Stellar and 9 Dove Awards. Now, after more than a decade on the charts, the biggest-selling Contemporary Gospel artist in Soundscan history is poised once again to make a resounding debut –– this time as an entrepreneur and head of his own entertainment venture: Fo Yo Soul Entertainment, Inc.
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Kirk Franklin is a young minister who had forever changed Christian Music through his combination of contemporary hip-hop and traditional gospel music. Kirk was born and raised in Ft. Worth, Texas, where he was abandoned at the age of three by his parents and raised by a devout 64-year-old aunt, who always made sure he was in church on Sundays. Kirk began playing the piano at age 4, and was offered a recording contract when he was only 7! However, his aunt declined, thinking he was too young. At age 11, he was appointed music minister of his church. Finally, at age 19, Kirk did his first home recording.
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Kirk Franklin refuses to be categorized. Abandoned by his mother and having never known his father, he was a child prodigy who became his church's music director at the age of 11. Part musician and part preacher, his music blends elements of hip-hop, gospel, and R&B. And, though his recordings consistently hit #1 on the gospel music charts, he's never been exclusively identified as a gospel artist. Franklin is more than a global musical sensation who has received multiple Grammy, Stellar, and Dove Awards. As a role model and humanitarian, Franklin serves as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) to help shine a light on the U.S.'s 13 million children living in poverty.
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Kirk Franklin designed The Nu Nation Project as a revitalization of contemporary gospel, a way to bring it to an audience accustomed to the slick, funky innovations of hip-hop and rap. Continue[+]
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