Kirk Franklin Biography
Kirk Franklin is a well-known and celebrated American choir director, gospel musician, singer, songwriter, and author. He is famously known for leading urban modern gospel choirs such as The Family, God’s Property, and One Nation Crew, among others. Franklin has won various awards, including 16 Grammy Awards. Variety named him a ‘Reigning King of Urban Gospel”.
10 Facts About Kirk Franklin
Here is a list of 10 facts about Franklin
- Name: Kirk Dewayne Franklin
- Age: 55 Years Old
- Birthday: January 26
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Height: 5 feet 5 inches
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Choir Director, Gospel Musician, Singer-songwriter, Author
- Marital Status: Married
- Salary: Not Available
- Net Worth: $1 to $ 5 Million
Kirk Franklin Age
Franklin is 55 years old, he was born Kirk Dewayne Franklin on January 26, 1970, in Fort Worth, Texas, the United States of America. He celebrates his birthday on January 26 every year, and his birth sign is Aquarius.
Kirk Franklin Height
Kirk Franklin stands at a height of 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m).
Kirk Franklin Weight
Franklin weighs 75 kilograms (165 lbs). Known for his captivating personality and musical skills, Franklin has dark brown eyes, and the color of his hair is black.
Early Life and Education
Franklin was born on January 26, 1970, in Fort Worth, Texas, United States of America. He was brought up by his aunt, Gertrude, having been dumped as a baby by his mother. Gertrude reclaimed aluminum cans to raise money for Kirk to take piano lessons from the age of four. Kirk excelled and was able to read and write music while also playing by ear.
He resisted his rigorous religious upbringing, and in a struggle to keep him out of trouble, his grandmother arranged an audition for him at a professional youth conservatory associated with a local university.
Franklin was accepted, but later he had to deal with a girlfriend’s pregnancy and his eventual expulsion from school for bad behavior. He studied music with Jewell Kelly and the Singing Chaparrals at Oscar Dean Wyatt High School. Franklin continued under her tutelage and ultimately became the pianist for the choir.
Rise to Fame and Breakthrough Moment
Franklin is one of the inaugural draftees into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame. He also led the known ensembles, which allowed him to gain much recognition, such as The Family, God’s Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC).
Major Achievements and Contributions
- Franklin has received 20 Grammy Awards and 22 GMA Dove Awards.
- Kirk has likewise received BET Awards, Soul Train Music Awards, and Stellar Awards.
Personal Life
Kirk Franklin Family, Parents
Franklin was born in Fort Worth, Texas. His mother’s name is Gertrude Franklin, and his father’s name is Dwight Allen. He was raised by his aunt Gertrude, having been denounced as a baby by his mother.
Gertrude recycled aluminum cans to raise funds for Franklin to take piano classes from the age of four. Franklin surpassed and was able to read and write while also playing by ear.
At the age of seven, he received his first lease, which his aunt turned down. He did join the church choir and became music director of the Mt. Rose Baptist Church adult choir at the age of 11.
Kirk Franklin Siblings
Franklin’s sister was sentenced to 30 years in jail for the charge of drug trafficking.
Kirk Franklin Wife
Franklin is married to his long-time friend Tammy Collins. The couple had their wedding on January 20, 1996, and together they are blessed with four children namely, Kerrion Franklin, Caziah Franklin, Carrington Franklin, Kennedy Franklin
In 2005, Franklin featured his wife Tammy on The Oprah Winfrey Show to talk about how he ended his pornography addiction.
Kirk Franklin Children
When Franklin and his spouse Tammy got married, they each had one child from previous relationships: Franklin’s son Kerrion, who was born in 1988, and Tammy’s daughter Carrington, who was born in 1989.
As a couple, they have two adorable children together: a daughter named Kennedy who was born in 1997, and a son named Caziah, who was born in 2005.
Kirk Franklin Daughter, Carrington
Franklin’s daughter Carrington became engaged to Maxx Nakwaasah in October 2015. Their wedding ceremony was held in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, and was officiated by Franklin, doubling as the father of the bride and the officiating pastor.
Kirk Franklin’s Son, Kerrion
In March 2021, Franklin’s son Kerrion disclosed an audio recording of a private conversation between him and his father in which both can be heard using expletives. Franklin consequently apologized to his supporters and followers.
Kirk Franklin Net Worth
Kirk Franklin’s net worth is estimated at 8.5 million dollars. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as a choir director, gospel musician, singer, songwriter, and author. Through his various sources of income, he has been able to accumulate good fortune, but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Facts: Everything You Need to Know About Kirk Franklin
Here are some interesting facts you should know about Franklin.
Kirk Franklin Bio.
- Full Names: Kirk Dewayne Franklin.
- Popular As: Kirk Franklin.
- Gender: Male.
- Occupation / Profession: Choir Director, Gospel Musician, Singer-songwriter, Author.
- Nationality: American.
- Race / Ethnicity: Black.
- Religion: Christian.
- Sexual Orientation: Straight.
Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 55 Years Old.
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius.
- Date of Birth: January 26, 1970.
- Place of Birth: Fort Worth, Texas, United States of America.
- Birthday: January 26.
Body Measurements
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m).
- Weight: 75 kilograms (165 lbs).
- Eye Color: Dark Brown.
- Hair Color: Black.
- Shoe Size: Not Available.
Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Dwight Allen.
- Mother: Gertrude Franklin
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Gertrude Franklin
- Marital Status: Married.
- Wife/Spouse: Married to Tammy Collins.
- Dating / Girlfriend: Not Applicable.
- Children: Sons (Kerrion & Caziah) Daughter(s) (Carrington & Kennedy).
Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $8.5 Million.
- Salary: Not Available.
- Source of Income: Choir Director, Gospel Musician, Singer-songwriter, Author.
Accident
Franklin experienced a near-fatal accident early in his career when he dropped into a 10-foot pit during a show in Memphis in 1996. He suffered a head injury and went into a coma, with doctors initially voicing concerns about his ability to speak, write, or make music again. Nevertheless, he miraculously recovered, attributing the experience to a higher purpose.
Stomp
Stomp is a 1997 song by gospel group God’s Property featuring Salt-N-Pepa rapper Cheryl James and Christian urban singer Franklin. One of the most successful gospel songs of the 1990s, Stomp charted on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B airplay list in 1997. The song samples “One Nation Under a Groove” by Funkadelic.
Lean on Me
Lean on Me is a song by American gospel artist Franklin. Released in 1998, the song helped ascend Franklin’s album The Nu Nation Project. The Nu Nation Project went on to top the Billboard Contemporary Christian Albums chart for 23 weeks and the Billboard Gospel Albums chart for 49 weeks and brought Franklin his third Grammy.
Albums
- 1993 Kirk Franklin & the Family
- 1995 Kirk Franklin & the Family Christmas
- 1996 Whatcha Lookin’ 4
- 1997 God’s Property from Kirk Franklin’s Nu Nation
- 1998 The Nu Nation Project
- 2000 Kirk Franklin Presents 1NC
- 2002 The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin
- 2005 Hero
- 2007 The Fight of My Life
- 2011 Hello Fear
- 2015 Losing My Religion
Songs
- I Smile
- Imagine Me
- My World Needs You
- Lean on Me
- Wanna Be Happy?
- My Life Is in Your Hands
- Something About the Name Jesus
- Why We Sing
- Now Behold the Lamb
- Brighter Day
- 123 Victory
- The Storm Is Over Now
- Revolution
- Looking for You
- Stomp
- My Life, My Love, My All
- He’s Able
- Gonna Be a Lovely Day
- A God Like You
- Silver & Gold
- He Reigns
- Hosanna
- Let Me Touch You
- Blessing in the Storm
- He Will take the Pain Away
- I Love You, Jesus
- Give Me
- Lookin’ Out For Me
- Before I Die
- Conquerors
- The Blood Song
- Hello Fear
Contacts
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