It is hard to picture Kirk Franklin as anything other than a gospel music artist. From his hip-hop meets church boy demeanor to his impeccable sense of style the King of Soul Gospel says what he means and means what he says.In the middle of the second week of his HERO tour with Mary Mary and Philadelphia based Da Truth, Kirk pulled into Jacksonville, Florida ready to rock the house.
Years ago a gospel concert consisted of a microphone, an artist, a drum set and a whole lot of shouting! However, Kirk opened a door for a new wave of showcasing gospel music. Taking the best parts of major tours including state-of-the-art sound, choreographed lighting, a mechanical stage and dancers – his show rivals some of the biggest pop and R&B artists today.
Spending more than an hour and a half on stage, he wowed the crowd of babies to seniors. Even for a man of 40 years, his enthusiasm and stamina were amazing. From his trip down memory lane with traditional gospel to his-hop personal story SHOUT, he gave everyone in his audience something relatable. That is why the beauty of Kirk Franklin and his message is so infectious.
It was a wonder that Kirk had any energy after a show like his but he was in the halls of the concert venue making jokes with fans and the crew after the show. Back here, he was just one of the boys. But his light was evident. So when, I was invited in the dressing room for our interview, it was like talking to someone I had known for years.
He had just finished his after show ritual of calling his wife and children and making sure everything was well on the home front when I entered. Sipping peppermint tea, he seemed just as home there as he did on the stage ministering to the masses. And it was me and Kirk kicking it like old friends.
Rahman Johnson: You are from the south (Texas), do you feel that your southern upbringing has really influenced your style and what you bring as a gospel artist.
Kirk Franklin: You know, it does but I think that it is more about the soul of the music. I know that growing up in the church and the choir and all of that put the soul in me and the love of God as well. That’s what I put in the music and I thank God for that.
RJ: What makes Kirk Franklin who he is? There are many doors you have opened and others who are great but what puts you where you stand?
KF: First and foremost it is God. He put within me the inspiration to be all that I am today. But I don’t see myself as greater than any other person or performer. It’s like this I look at Martin Luther and Billy Graham and others like that are links on a chain. And on God’s chain there in no link that is greater than the other. It takes all of these links to make the chain strong – I am simply just a link on the chain.
RJ: Nah, you are more than that. I know that it is God who put you where you are but your entrance onto the scene with your type of gospel makes you more than ordinary and I thank God for that because you can touch more people.
KF: Yea, you know he is the reason that I do what I do.
RJ: So I know with a concert like the one you just did, you won’t be retiring any time soon but where do you see Kirk Franklin in 45 years.
KF: Well I hope that I have slowed down a bit by then but I will still be me – probably chasing my wife Tammi on the beach somewhere!
RJ: Well we know that’s a long time off before you even talk retirement. But you know from your song SHOUT which was one of my favorite parts of the show, I see a great actor. A lot of the action in the song was portrayed on screens behind you. Do you see yourself bringing it to the big screen or maybe to television?
KF: You are the actor man, but thank you for the compliment. But, if that is what God has for me to do then I am open. We have to be ready to do what ever he needs whenever he needs it.
After spending some personal time with him, I could truly say that if anyone regardless of any reason doubted how serious Kirk was about his mission, they would be wrong. He is man on mission and God’s got his back. Like he said from 1993 – it’s about God’s Property and Kirk Franklin represents the property well.
12 comments:
thank you for this. I love Kirk. Man he is a awesome artist. I love his message, and he can actually preach too.
oh and your boots are killing me. fly
So yea...that's the truth. I love Kirky.
Yes he can preach! As I was reading I was hoping a question similiar to, "how do you feel about your music being played in clubs where people may dance provocatively to it?" Thats the only question I would have loved to hear the answer to!
Great man, Great artist...
wow...so everybody is wrking out these days. sorry...I was just looking at the pics of ol kirky.
I'm not too fond of urban gospel music, but Kirk is ok.
RJ… good interview and great opportunity for you to go one-on-one with a ground breaking artist. As such, I wondered whether you were tempted to ask some more poignant questions like, “As an artist who was initially criticized for fusing hip hop and gospel, has the struggle enlightened you to the gay African American male’s plight in both genres? “ I don’t know what your sexual orientation is (and it’s irrelevant really…not to mention, as an actor you’re not likely to reveal that sort-of info) but as I recall, Kirk endured some gossip stemming from folks who alleged he was “that way.” (or that’s what I recall from having read his autobio years back). BTW – I don’t think that the interviewer’s orientation matters when conducting a hard-hitting interview…. After watching Larry King grill Clay Aiken on CNN the other night, I realized that interviews have to be insightful and the questions, relevant. Otherwise an interview can quickly turn into an idolizing fan moment, rather than an effective interview (not you though pa… not you… LOL)
As a reporter, cocoa rican, you would work for a tabloid with questions like those. Sometimes, the gossip the world wants to hear is not the news. As is the case with Kirk Franklin and his stop in Jacksonville.
Rahman, from one to another, props on the ability to get to Kirk and ask questions that don't seem to evoke past fodder and accusations.
M-Dubb
Actually the mark of a good reporter is one who not only gets the A list guests, but one who knows what questions to ask. Sometimes those questions border on gossip, since as a good reporter you have to address issues that are in the mainstream and issues your viewers (or readers) may have. If you are suspected of being gay and rumors have circulated saying this, I would be an unaware journalist not to address the issue head-on and give you an opportunity to clarify for the general audience. For the record M-Dubb the "fodder and accusations" were out of the horses mouth. Kirk directly stated that he had the issue of being gay come up in his youth... so let's hit a journalism 101 course and lay-off the moral-romper-room banter.
ACTUALLY, the mark of a good reporter is to go into a situation and seek the news and tell it with as little bias as possible so that the audience can make its own opinions and judgments. With an answer like that, I trust you're not a journalist, and know not what you speak.
Sometimes, those questions do border on gossip, and it's at the discretion of the interviewer to stay away from what everybody's doing and go in a new direction. Who wants to read the same thing every time? Nobody cares that he used to be a porn addict anymore. If you feed off that type of stuff, it's time to get a new hobby.
No moral banter. I'm just telling it like it is: If you've got nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all. Take the education and run with it. Or come at dude's comments section like a thirsty gossip hound.
KirkFranklin is an excellent gospel artist i mean when im sad i listen to his music and that lifts me up
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