NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedOctober 30, 2026Miami-Dade County
Kirk Franklin discusses his new double album 'I Am What I Am' and addressing secular collaborations
Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed
Gospel artist Kirk Franklin is releasing his 14th studio album, a double record titled "I Am What I Am," featuring collaborations with both traditional gospel artists and mainstream musicians like GloRilla and Jelly Roll. In recent interviews, Franklin defends these cross-genre partnerships against critics who question his work with artists known for explicit content.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main FeedWhy It Matters
The release highlights ongoing debates within the gospel music industry regarding mainstream collaborations and the boundaries of traditional religious music.
Key Facts
- Kirk Franklin is releasing his 14th studio album, titled "I Am What I Am", which is his first double album.
- The 14 tracks on the album are split between contemporary songs and live-recorded traditional selections.
- The album features guest appearances from artists including Karen Clark Sheard, Davido, Jelly Roll, and GloRilla.
- The single "This Time" featuring GloRilla extended Franklin's record to 10 No. 1 hits on Billboard's hot gospel songs chart.
- Franklin faced social media criticism for praying with Usher and Brown before a recent concert, and for collaborating with artists who produce explicit content.
- The album includes the track "Free Me Tonight" with Jelly Roll, which addresses Franklin's personal imperfections and a 2021 family controversy involving his son Kerrion.
- Franklin received an icon award last year from the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective alongside Pharrell Williams and Brandy.
Who's Mentioned
PersonUsher“R&B artist who prayed with Kirk Franklin”PersonKerrion Franklin“Kirk Franklin's estranged son”OrganizationRecording Academy's Black Music Collective“Entity that honored Kirk Franklin with an icon award”OrganizationAssociated Press“News agency publishing the article”PersonJelly Roll“Artist featured on the album track "Free Me Tonight"”PersonLil Baby“Rapper who has previously collaborated with Kirk Franklin”PersonBrandy“Honoree alongside Kirk Franklin by the Recording Academy's Black Music Collectiv”PersonKirk Franklin“Gospel music artist and subject of the article”PersonYe“Rapper who has previously collaborated with Kirk Franklin”PersonPharrell Williams“Honoree alongside Kirk Franklin by the Recording Academy's Black Music Collectiv”OrganizationSalt-N-Pepa“Rap duo”PersonChris Brown“R&B artist who prayed with Kirk Franklin”PersonGary Gerard Hamilton“Associated Press entertainment journalist”PersonGloRilla“Featured artist on the album "I Am What I Am"”PersonSalt“Member of Salt-N-Pepa”PersonPhil Collins“Artist referenced in the track "Free Me Tonight"”PersonKaren Clark Sheard“Featured traditional gospel artist on the album”OrganizationBillboard“Music industry charts publisher”locationNEW YORK“Dateline location of the article”PersonDavido“Afrobeats artist featured on the album”