Who is Franklin?
May 22, 2008
KIRK Franklin has sold more than 9 million albums and bagged innumerable awards. <br>He is considered a legend for having introduced to gospel music a fresh breath of vigorous, youthful excitement — fusing its traditional inspiration storm with urban pop music.
By Joseph Ssemutooke
KIRK Franklin has sold more than 9 million albums and bagged innumerable awards.
He is considered a legend for having introduced to gospel music a fresh breath of vigorous, youthful excitement — fusing its traditional inspiration storm with urban pop music.
For 15 years, Franklin has been largely considered the greatest gospel musician.
But more than anything else, it is his unequivocal address of people’s everyday problems that has endeared both the man and his sound to millions across the globe.
Franklin says there is so much turmoil in the world and that he tries to uplift his own spirits and those of his listeners to offer a balm for both the external problems and inner conflicts that people face everyday.
He says: “Everybody is just fighting, trying to keep their heads above water, whether they are dealing with depression or losing their homes or jobs.
They don't trust that the war is going to end and they don’t trust the pulpit anymore. I struggle with insecurities from growing up without my pops, and I struggle with my own faith. Those are daily fights.â€
So, unlike the mainstream gospel music which is all about worshipping and praising God, Franklin sets out to inspire others by reminding them of God’s love.
In Lean On Me, he tells that little child with no father; that man that does not have a place to stay and that little child living with HIV that God is there for them to lean on all the time, while in Imagine Me, he tells those with insecurities to imagine God whispering in their ears that all their sins and failures and doubts are gone.
Popular Hits
Stomp
Imagine Me
Lovely Day
Revolution
Looking For You
Declaration (This Is It)
Lean On Me
What Ugandans think about
Kirk Franklin
Bosco Rwabutogo a.k.a DJ Rwabs, presenter at Power FM
Franklin is exceptionally good. He is very good with lots of energy. He has won five Grammy Awards and I do not think it was by accident. He is also good at dancing. I am sure people will not be disappointed.
Isaac Rucci, former member of gospel group, Limit-X
I call him Mr. Energy. This guy is like the Energiser Bunny if you have seen it in the adverts. He is going to give us something we have not seen and take us where we have never been. Just be there because everything is set.
Pastor Peter Sematimba, proprietor Super FM, music producer and former singer
Kirk Franklin is original, exciting and his messages are extremely positive. He is also a great entertainer and works with professionals. I expect this to be a great show.
Marcus Kiryowa, youth administrations coordinator of Kampala Diocese
Based on what I have watched on DVD, Franklin is exciting and knows how to relate with the crowd, be it old or young. He knows how to communicate relatively with the audience.
KIRK Franklin has sold more than 9 million albums and bagged innumerable awards.
He is considered a legend for having introduced to gospel music a fresh breath of vigorous, youthful excitement — fusing its traditional inspiration storm with urban pop music.
For 15 years, Franklin has been largely considered the greatest gospel musician.
But more than anything else, it is his unequivocal address of people’s everyday problems that has endeared both the man and his sound to millions across the globe.
Franklin says there is so much turmoil in the world and that he tries to uplift his own spirits and those of his listeners to offer a balm for both the external problems and inner conflicts that people face everyday.
He says: “Everybody is just fighting, trying to keep their heads above water, whether they are dealing with depression or losing their homes or jobs.
They don't trust that the war is going to end and they don’t trust the pulpit anymore. I struggle with insecurities from growing up without my pops, and I struggle with my own faith. Those are daily fights.â€
So, unlike the mainstream gospel music which is all about worshipping and praising God, Franklin sets out to inspire others by reminding them of God’s love.
In Lean On Me, he tells that little child with no father; that man that does not have a place to stay and that little child living with HIV that God is there for them to lean on all the time, while in Imagine Me, he tells those with insecurities to imagine God whispering in their ears that all their sins and failures and doubts are gone.
Popular Hits
Stomp
Imagine Me
Lovely Day
Revolution
Looking For You
Declaration (This Is It)
Lean On Me
What Ugandans think about
Kirk Franklin
Bosco Rwabutogo a.k.a DJ Rwabs, presenter at Power FM
Franklin is exceptionally good. He is very good with lots of energy. He has won five Grammy Awards and I do not think it was by accident. He is also good at dancing. I am sure people will not be disappointed.
Isaac Rucci, former member of gospel group, Limit-X
I call him Mr. Energy. This guy is like the Energiser Bunny if you have seen it in the adverts. He is going to give us something we have not seen and take us where we have never been. Just be there because everything is set.
Pastor Peter Sematimba, proprietor Super FM, music producer and former singer
Kirk Franklin is original, exciting and his messages are extremely positive. He is also a great entertainer and works with professionals. I expect this to be a great show.
Marcus Kiryowa, youth administrations coordinator of Kampala Diocese
Based on what I have watched on DVD, Franklin is exciting and knows how to relate with the crowd, be it old or young. He knows how to communicate relatively with the audience.