BREATHEcast was blessed to share a moment with one of modern gospel’s hardest workers, Kirk Franklin, who has had platinum success since his debut in 1993 with Kirk Franklin and the Family. Taking roles as a vocalist, producer, and a song writer and collaborating with Yolanda Adams and Stevie Wonder among others, Franklin just dropped his latest testimony, Hero.

Franklin: What’s up man? (While writing a check for Katrina relief and then posing for a picture with his family) You’ve gotta be a dad when you’re at the crib, ya know? Alright, let’s do it.

BREATHEcast: Right on. So, were you always involved in the gospel ministry?

I’ve always been a church boy, even when I wasn’t acting like it. You’ve just got to give it to God, man.

When you sit down to write, in what way do you see yourself foremost? As a vocalist, a songwriter, or a producer?

Man, I’m just a servant. When I sit down, It’s as nothing but a servant and a child of God. Whatever God wants to say, just to say it. Sitting down with some type of hat on or some sort of sign on my chest is something that I don’t even try to do. Ya know, however people want to try to define me, that’s on them. I see myself as a child of God. I see myself as a saint. Nothing more, nothing less.

Yea, I read a quote of yours that said “I’m trying to do nothing more than spread the love of the word of God.”

Yeah, ya know, just be. Just allow yourself to be in His presence and be connected and let God do what He is going to do.

I know that you are involved in some projects outside of music. Can you talk about some?

Lately, I’ve been involved in a few Katrina relief projects and I’m just excited to be able to help. Also, a couple of times a month I fly into Los Angeles and spend time with some of the youth in Inglewood. I just spend time with them and just pour love into them.
Oh man, they love me and I love them.

How do you feel about the Hero album?

I love that album. I love the Hero album. This album just feels so good to me, man. I just sit back and praise God for the opportunity to do things like this. The process, for me, is nothing more than getting with God and asking what He wants me to say.

So, are you planning to tour with this album?

Yeah, some time in February we will be putting together a tour for sure. Stay in touch with us and we’ll let you know when we’ll be out in the Bay Area!


Interviewed by Michael Manny
michaelm@breathecast.com