Gospel artist Kirk Franklin addressed some of the controversies he faced in 2024 in a year-in-review video he posted Dec. 30. In it, Franklin explained the decisions that led to the controversies, apologized for some of his choices, and reflected on his most significant moments from the past year.
“I want to talk about some moments this year that had people talking, that were part of conversations that I want to try to speak to,” Franklin said. “I want to be honest with you…first of all, let’s discuss the dancing.”
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Kirk Franklin Looks at Highs and Lows From 2024
Kirk Franklin is a well-known gospel artist and choir director, who has received 32 Grammy nominations—not counting his 20 Grammy wins and other awards, which include BET Awards and numerous GMA Dove Awards.
Franklin’s highlights from 2024 included performing at the Grammys, receiving an honorary doctorate from Morris Brown College, traveling to various countries in Africa with Maverick City Music, and his son getting married.
Franklin also took some time to dwell on the death of his good friend, Shaun Martin, commenting that “when you have a loss like that, you don’t ever, ever, ever get over that moment. You don’t ever really find the words, the Scripture, the spiritual nugget, to be able to make sense of something so sudden and something so tragic.”
As Franklin noted, a number of the controversies he dealt with last year focused on how he danced during some of his performances. The gospel artist played clips related to each controversy, including one that resulted from how he danced when performing with Bishop Marvin Sapp. Franklin said he wanted people to know that in that case, the dancing was his idea, but Sapp “easily obliged.”
“I also want you to know something that I’ve always believed, that God’s music or God’s content should always be able to stand in any space that you spend your money for anything else,” said Franklin. “If you’re going to spend your money to watch a mainstream show and be entertained, you should be able to come over here, and we also give you the same level of production and engagement.”
“So when you come, I want you to feel like you had a good time, that it was a show that did not compromise the gospel. And I’m going to do it every time, because, guess what—I’m havin’ a good time making you happy,” he added.
Franklin then addressed the criticism that arose when he performed at a Christian concert in Jamaica, and people took issue with his dancing and choice of clothing.
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