Gospel artist Kirk Franklin joined Christian hip hop artist Lecrae on Lecrae’s podcast for a conversation that covered topics including purity culture, the challenges of the music industry, and Franklin’s thoughts on some of the controversies he’s faced this year.
“I want people to know that I am ok and embrace and accept the criticism and the judgment,” Franklin told Lecrae, referring to the criticism he received after performing in Jamaica earlier this year. “I think that it’s people’s right as believers to judge.” He added, however, “I think the challenge is that in modern-day Christianity, [it’s] not biblocentric judgment, but Christian cultural judgment. It is never with the agenda to redeem; it’s the agenda to crucify.”
“What is the goal?” Franklin asked. “Because here’s the thing: I, Kirk, I want to know when I get it wrong…So I welcome people [who] say if I’m dancing too much a certain way. Say something. You can say something.”
Kirk Franklin: ‘I’m Trying To Do Better’
Kirk Franklin is a well-known gospel artist and choir director, who, as Lecrae pointed out to him during the interview, has received 31 Grammy nominations—not counting his 20 Grammy wins and other awards, which include BET Awards and numerous GMA Dove Awards. Lecrae is an award-winning artist himself, counting among his accolades four Grammys, nine Grammy nominations, and multiple BET Awards and Dove Awards.
Notably, Franklin announced in 2019 that he would be boycotting the Dove Awards, as well as the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), after comments he made about racial conflict were edited out of two separate acceptance speeches. Lecrae supported his decision, saying, “I only came cause you came. You know I’m out.” A GMA spokesperson said Franklin’s speech was edited because the entire show had to be edited for the sake of time.
Franklin drew criticism for his performance at a Christian festival in Jamaica in April of this year. The artist, who wore a tank top and shorts, received negative comments for his attire and the way he was dancing. Critics accused him of behavior that did not glorify God.
Later this year, Franklin received more criticism for performing at the White House for Juneteenth; during the performance, he brought Vice President Kamala Harris on stage.
Lecrae and Franklin, who are friends, addressed the controversy over Franklin’s dancing and attire at the beginning and end of their conversation. “I’m like, the man is in Jamaica,” said Lecrae. “I don’t know what he supposed to be wearing in Jamaica.” The hip hop artist acknowledged, however, that people have a “perception and thought process, that, ‘Hey you represent Jesus. You cannot dress like a civilian.’”
“For my own soul’s salvation, I never want to be to a point where people cannot check and challenge me,” Franklin said. “I want people to, because I understand the necessity of how lackadaisical the pursuit of Jesus in 2024 can be for all of us. It’s because it’s hard out here. It’s very hard out here.”
