The gospel star found success right from his 1993 debut, "Kirk Franklin & the Family," becoming the first gospel debut album to be certified Platinum. His album spent 100 weeks in the gospel and R&B charts, finding crossover success with his contemporary sound that incorporates R&B and hip hop elements. This was followed by another first, with "Kirk Franklin & the Family Christmas" becoming the genre's first number one Christmas album. Since these early breakthroughs, Franklin has continued to grow and grow as an artist, becoming one of the biggest stars in gospel music.
Raised by his aunt, Franklin began to develop his musical talents at a young age, taking piano lessons that his aunt afforded through collecting aluminium cans. He was a natural and soon began performing with the Mt. Rose Baptist Church choir. After a brief period of rebellion in his teens, Franklin dedicated himself to music and to his faith.
Backed by his 17-member choir, the Family, comprised of friends from his days spent in the church choir, Franklin has been composing and recording songs since 1991. His huge popularity was displayed following the release of his 1996 album, "Watcha Lookin' 4" which went Gold straight after it was distributed. His 1998 album, "Nu Nation Project," was greeted with wide critical acclaim, topping the Billboard 200 Chart, remaining on the Gospel Chart for 49 weeks.
Coming back in 2002 with "The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin" again topped the Gospel Albums chart and was certified Platinum. Franklin appears to be unable to do any wrong, releasing another four albums to huge success, topping the Gospel Albums Chart and Christian Albums Chart with every release. With seven Grammy Awards under his belt, he is undoubtedly a hugely respected artist. Yet Franklin remains humble and devoted to his faith, still labelling himself as 'just a church boy' as opposed to a superstar musician.
Fred Hammond’s journey to musical acclaim started age 12 when he began singing in his local church choir. In his 20s Hammond joined the gospel and R&B crossover band the Winans playing bass and providing vocals. During his tenure with the Winans, Hammond earned his first taste at recognition, which led the singer to form the gospel group Commissioned along with five other members in 1985.
In addition to Hammond’s powerful and often intense vocal delivery, the group’s music showcased the musician’s production and arranging talents. From 1985 until 1991, Commissioned released seven studio albums including “I’m Going On”, “On The Winning Side”, “Ordinary Just Won’t Do”, and “Number 7”. The gospel singer began releasing music as a solo artist in 1991 with the album “I Am Persuaded” followed by “Deliverance” in 1993. It wasn’t however until 1994 that Hammond broke into the charts with his contribution to the Commissioned album “Matters of the Heart”.
In 1995 the singer and bass player formed the gospel group Radical for Christ, through which Hammond witnessed his greatest commercial and critical success to date. Radical for Christ released four albums from 1995 which consistently were awarded Gold certifications. Notably, the album “Pages of Life: Chapter 1 and 2” went double platinum and won the group two Dove Awards for the singles “Let the Praise Begin” in 1998 and “Power” in 1999.
Hammond continued to release a string of albums into the new millennium including “In Case You Missed It… And Then Some”, the festive-themed “Christmas… Just Remember”, “Somethin ‘Bout Love”, the Grammy-Award winning “Free to Worship”, and “Love Unstoppable” – the latter of which topped the Gospel Albums chart in 2009. The album’s successor “God, Love & Romance” once again topped the Gospel Albums chart and charted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 in 2012. 2013 brought the singer’s eleventh full-length album issued on Verity records, followed one year later by the RCA issued album “I Will Trust”.
The phrase, ‘taking you to church’ couldn’t be more appropriate for Kirk Franklin. As a big gun in contemporary Gospel music, Franklin’s journey into the musical realm began at an early age. At the age of seven his innate musical talent was recognised and was offered a recording contract, but his aunt refused to accept the proposal. Franklin then joined the choir at Mt Rose Baptist Church where he remained and at the age of twelve became its musical director using his incredible talent in reading and writing music by ear. With his meandering journey through faith, several incidents led up to his dedication to pursue his passion for God through his musical expression full time.
There aren’t many musical directors like Kirk Franklin, his explosive energy not only feeds into his choir but enthuses the crowd so much so that there is barely a body sat down. Through the powerful exertion of faith and soul, the audience respond in whichever way they see fit as a wave of emotion washes over them. Whether its waving their handkerchiefs in air, jumping for joy, arms wide open, or swaying from side to side clutching onto their hearts, there is no doubt that the levels of personal interaction and genuine emotions fill the room providing an electric atmosphere guided through the angelic chorus of voices. The power of the word is the driving force of any performance as the choir are joined with a host of guest performers including renowned pastors and gospel artists. Franklin is a natural born leader, as he leaps for joy across the stage allowing the music to take control as he and the choir get carried away. One thing is for sure, everything is real- the emotion, the drive, the power, the energy and the love which radiates through the room touching the hearts and souls of all present.
She had an awesome performance. It was great from the beginning to the end, and boy can she sing!
If anyone who has not seen her performance they missed a treat. It was worth every bit of the money I spent.
Fred Hammond is seriously a force to be reckoned with, his music adopting a neo-soul and disco vibe with every song possessing an infectious hook in the chorus that’ll you’ll find yourself still singing next week. Lyrically, his music is that of a Christian vibe, catering to a predominantly Christian crowd. Lyrical content aside, the musicality of him and together with his band is out standing; truly a band of virtuosic musicians who’s trade is music. It’s no wonder that he is a multiple Grammy, Dove and Stellar award winner, not just as a singer but also as a producer and writer. If you want to go out for a dance, then Hammond is definitely your guy as every song has that quality, “All Things Are Working” is the song that will take you back to the 70s for a disco vibe, a four to the floor beat making you dance uncontrollably with a smile on your face. It just makes you feel good, and isn’t that what music is all about?!