Kirk Dewayne Franklin, born Kirk Smith on January 26, 1970, in Fort Worth, Texas, U.S., is a towering figure in contemporary gospel music. An American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, choir director, and author, he has revolutionized the genre by blending traditional gospel with elements of hip-hop, R&B, and soul. Franklin first rose to prominence in the early 1990s leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God’s Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC), producing groundbreaking albums that garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success.
He is married to Tammy Collins, whom he wed in 1996, and they have four children. Franklin’s extensive discography has earned him numerous accolades, including an impressive 20 Grammy Awards, making him one of the best-selling gospel music artists of all time. His record labels have included Tribl, Provident, RCA Inspiration, Fo Yo Soul Recordings (his own imprint under RCA Records), Zomba, RCA, Verity Gospel Music, B-Rite, GospoCentric, Jive, Sparrow, and Interscope. Beyond his musical endeavors, Franklin is also a published author and has hosted and produced television series, further solidifying his influence in both music and media.
