A Look at the Career of Kirk Franklin

Known for his ability to blend gospel with hip-hop, R&B and rock, Kirk Franklin has become a gospel music superstar. He has worked with some of the biggest names in music in every genre from rock and R&B, to hip hop and gospel. He has changed the way gospel music is presented to America and is considered by many to be a legend. On the heels of his newest release, "The Fight of My Life," here is a look at the career of Kirk Franklin.

Kirk's talent for music was noticed at an early age. After being abandoned at an early age, Kirk turned his energy toward music. He began playing piano at the early age of four. He began working with the choir in his church in Forth Worth Texas, and eventually put together "The Family," a seventeen member choir. In 1993 Kirk Franklin and the Family released their first album aptly titled "Kirk Franklin and the Family." The album spend nearly two years at the top of the gospel charts. It was even recognized by the R&B charts which was a rarity at that time.

Kirk's Breathrough moment came when he worked with a group known as God's Property. Kirk and God's Property collaborated with Cheryl James of Salt and Pepa on the lead single "Stomp." The song was a huge success not only in the gospel community by also in the R&B world. The video for the song gained rotation on BET and MTV and got airplay on many R&B stations. This was a first for gospel music. The album would go on to sell over three million copies because of the single's success.

In 1998 Kirk released the Nu Nation Project. On the first single, "Lean on Me, " Kirk expanded his audience by collaborating with R Kelly, Bono, Mary J Blige and Crystal Lewis. The song propelled the album to the top of the Contemporary Charts for weeks and even earned Kirk a number of awards including his third Grammy.

Life in the music world hasn't been all roses for Franklin. He has dealt with many critics, who say that he has compromised Gospel music. Many traditionalists also think Franklin crosses the line. Franklin also came clean about some of his own demons. In 2006 Franklin and his wife admitted on the Oprah Winfrey Show that Kirk had dealt with an addiction to pornography for years. Kirk now claims he has been clean for several years as the result of Christian counseling.

Kirk Franklin has had much more success with other albums such as "Hero" and "The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin." With his new album, "Fight of My Life," Franklin is sure to have put together another great album. Look for year of more success from Kirk Franklin and his great gospel music.