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Kirk Franklin
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Since his debut, 1993's Kirk Franklin and the Family, Kirk Franklin has been one of the brightest stars in contemporary gospel music. The album spent 100 weeks on the gospel charts (some of those on top), crossed over to the R&B charts, and became the first gospel debut album to go platinum. His second album, Kirk Franklin & the Family Christmas, became the genre's first Christmas album to make it to number one, and his 1996 album Whatcha Lookin' 4 went gold as soon as it was distributed. With such phenomenal success, it is small wonder that some have hailed him "the Garth Brooks of Gospel." Still, despite all the adulation and brouhaha, Franklin remains a humble, devout Christian, eschewing the title "entertainer" in favor of labeling himself as just a "church boy." Franklin's road to the top, though quick, was far from smooth.
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Hosted by gospel great Kirk Franklin, SUNDAY BEST is among this year's top BET series, averaging more than 1 million viewers per week. Since BET began the nationwide auditions this summer, the celebrity judges, Grammy Award- winning gospel superstars BeBe Winans and dynamic singing siblings Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary, made evaluations, gave advice to the hopefuls and had the hard job of deciding who would move forward. However, at the conclusion of next week's episode, the judges' job is over and the fate of the final two contestants rests in the hands of the viewers. Phone lines will be open from 9:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. PT) Tuesday, November 27, until 12:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. PT) Monday, December 3, for America to cast their vote to decide the winner of SUNDAY BEST.
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At the forefront of today's gospel music, Kirk Franklin, best known for his platinum success with "The Family," has broken down many musical barriers since he exploded on the international scene. In the process, he's achieved unprecedented success and become gospel's #1 renaissance man. His first album, "Kirk Franklin and the Family," was certified platinum, a gospel milestone. His critically acclaimed follow-up CD, 1996's "Whatcha Lookin' 4," sold more than 900,000 (and counting) copies. As astute in business as well as music, Franklin's Fo Yo Soul company banner has a multi-year production deal with B-Rite Records.
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"My message is simple and plain," Kirk Franklin insisted in the Los Angeles Times. "I'm trying to change the way people look at gospel music. It's not corny, and it's not hokey. We're not just running around here with some choir robes on, yelling and screaming. It's not about that anymore, kid." The charismatic Franklin has achieved mainstream success thanks to a fusion of hip-hop-flavored style and hardcore religious content.
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Though "Looking for You" is the light side of Kirk Franklin, the part-time youth pastor has no problem talking about his struggles and turbulent personal journey. As the minor keys of the piano trickle in the background at the beginning of the heart wrenching "Let It Go," Franklin raps about the trials and tribulations that have marked his short 35 years. From tales of being abandoned by his mother at the age of four and being separated from his sister to his battles with low self-esteem and pornography, "Let It Go" has the aura of Tupac backed by the wisdom of a minister. "Living in the world is a song," he says. "And I'm trying to put that world in my songs. Still, no matter how bleak "Let It Go" might be, there is always hope if you want it."
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The God's Property/Kirk Franklin relationship goes way back, and beyond the recording studio, where he often works out new material with the choir. He's appeared with God's Property on The Late Show with David Letterman, while the choir itself performed with mega-pop star Celine Dion at the encore of the media acclaimed "Call The Man/Power of the Dream" concert in Dallas and on The 10th Annual Essence Awards with Stevie Wonder.
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Kirk Franklin