In a recent interview at the BET Awards, gospel music icon Kirk Franklin shared his overwhelming gratitude for his career, his thoughts on crossing over to mainstream audiences, and his new endeavors.
Franklin expressed deep humility and thankfulness for the recognition he has received, emphasizing that he never anticipated such a moment in his life [00:50]. He credited the support of many, including Thea and Angie Martinez, and sees his access to mainstream platforms as a blessing for his community and genre [02:03].
A significant part of the conversation addressed the idea of his music “crossing over” from the “church world” to the “secular world.” Franklin challenged this division, arguing that there shouldn’t be separate categories for “church people” and “regular people,” as everyone shares the same need for God’s love [03:08]. He explained that his song “Do It Again” is meant to inspire hope in all listeners, regardless of their background [03:44].
Looking ahead, Franklin announced a new YouTube talk show, “Den of Kings,” which will feature black men in conversation over dinner [05:02]. He noted the importance of working with black men on this project, a decision he made independently of major companies [08:44].
The interviewer also praised Franklin’s consistency and his vulnerability in sharing personal struggles through his music. Franklin explained that he aims for honesty in his music, believing that healing comes from revealing imperfections rather than hiding behind an “illusion of perfection” [07:41]. He advocated for making faith more accessible by deconstructing traditional prototypes of godliness [07:57].
For those feeling discouraged, Franklin offered a message of hope, advising against focusing solely on the material world and encouraging them to recognize a deeper, divine purpose [09:30]. He emphasized the unconditional love of God and cautioned against seeking validation through external achievements (“human doings”) rather than embracing our inherent worth as “human beings” [09:55].
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