Born Kirk Dwayne Franklin on 26 January 1970, in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, he is a gospel musician, choir director and author, probably best known for fronting urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God’s Property and One Nation Crew beginning in the early ’90s.
So just how rich is Kirk Franklin? Sources have estimated that Franklin‘s net worth is $10 million. There are no doubts that his career in music is the origin of Kirk Franklin’s modest fortune.
Kirk Franklin Net Worth $10 Million
Kirk Franklin was abandoned by his mom, and raised with some difficulty by an aunt, who encouraged Kirk to take piano lessons when Frankin was only four years old. However, he showed that he had an ear for music by playing songs by ear, and actually being offered a contract at the age of seven, which was disallowed by his aunt. Instead, Kirk started singing in a church choir, and at the age of 12 he was made director, although he was working with adults.
Perhaps because of a strict religious childhood, Kirk Franklin was still a bit of a problem child in his teens, so his grandmother enrolled him in a music conservatory associated with a local university. This was partly successful, however, Kirk’s girlfriend became pregnant, and he was forced to leave the conservatory apparently because of ill-discipline, so then persevered with music with the church choir.
In 1992, Kirk Franklin founded The Family, a choir comprising friends and associates. Vicki Mack-Lataillade, the co-founder of record label GospoCentric, heard one of their demo tapes and immediately signed Kirk & The Family to a recording contract. In 1993, the group became Kirk Franklin & The Family, and released their self-titled debut album, which spent almost 100 weeks on the Gospel music charts, including 42 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, being the first gospel album to sell over a million copies. It also made it onto the R&B charts, eventually earning platinum sales status.
Several releases of albums followed, including a 1995 Christmas album, and “Watcha Lookin’ 4” in 1996, which was certified double platinum and earned Kirk Franklin the first of seven Grammy Awards. A collaboration album with the vocal ensemble God’s Property followed in 1997, the lead single, “Stomp”, featuring Cheryl ‘Salt’ James (of Salt-N-Pepa), being a big hit, and certified platinum three times, bringing Franklin another Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.
In 1996, Kirk Franklin’s song “Joy” was recorded by Whitney Houston and the Georgia Mass Choir, and was included on the best-selling soundtrack to the movie “The Preacher’s Wife”.
Regretfully, legal arguments saw the The Family break-up in 2000, although they re-united for a concert in 2010. However, Kirk Franklin added considerably to his net worth from the sales of his subsequent solo albums: “The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin”, “A Season of Remixes”, “Hero”, “Songs for the Storm”, “The Fight of My Life”, “Hello Fear”, and “The Essential Kirk Franklin”. He has now sold over 20 million copies internationally, and apart from Grammys has won 15 Stellar Awards and 13 GMA Dove Awards. Kirk has also toured extensively over the years, often in collaboration with other sol artists, including Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams and Steve Harvey, which also added to his net worth..
In his personal life, Kirk Franklin married long-time friend Tammy Collins in 1996. When they wed, each had a child from previous relationships, and the couple subsequently has two more children together.
Interestingly, in 2005 Franklin appeared with his wife on TVs “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, specifically to discuss how he ended his addiction to pornography.
Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song, Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album, BET Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational Artist, Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song, Billboard Music Award for Top Gospel Album, Billboard Music Award for Top Gospel Artist, Billboard Music Award for Top Gospel Song, Gr...
Albums
Losing My Religion (2015), God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation (1997), The Nu Nation Project (1998), Hello Fear (2011), The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin (2002)
Music Groups
Georgia Mass Choir, 1NC, I Smile, Imagine Me, Why We Sing, Beaumont, TX, United States, Merrillville, IN, United States, Baltimore, MD, United States
Nominations
Grammy Award for Song of the Year, Grammy Award for Best Rap Song, Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance, Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single – Male, NAACP Image Award for Outstand...
Movies
Boycott (2001), Higher Ground: Voices of Contemporary Gospel Music (2004, documentary), Kirk Franklin: The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin Live (2002)
TV Shows
The Preacher's Wife (1996), Kirk Franklin (2015, Reality tv), 90210 (2012), The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2016), Kirk Franklin: The Nu Nation Tour (1999, video)
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Fact
1
Has openly discussed his struggle with pornography addiction.
2
Kirk has two children from his marriage with Tammy: Kennedy, born in 1997, and Caziah, born in 1999. Kirk has a son from a previous relationship, Kerrion, born in 1988. Tammy also has a daughter from a previous relationship, Carrington, born in 1989.
3
Is the first gospel singer to have his music featured on a movie soundtrack.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Saturday Night Live
2016
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Joyful Noise
2012
performer: "In Love" / writer: "In Love"
90210
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2009 writer - 1 episode, 2009
Norbit
2007
performer: "Looking for You" / writer: "Looking for You"
My Brother
2006
writer: "Why We Sing" - as K. Franklin
The Gospel
2005
performer: "Still Alive", "Ooh Child Urban Mix" / producer: "Still Alive", "Please Answer", "Peace Like a River" / writer: "Awesome God He Reigns", "Still Alive", "Please Answer", "Peace Like a River", "Everything's Gonna Be Alright", "Seasons Change", "Child's Song", "Now Behold the Lamb"
Higher Ground: Voices of Contemporary Gospel Music
2004
Video documentary writer: "Stomp Remix", "Holy One"
Boycott
2001
TV Movie performer: "Revolution" / writer: "Revolution"
Kingdom Come
2001
performer: "Kingdom Come", "Thank You" / producer: "Kingdom Come", "It's Alright", "Someday", "Every Woman", "Stand", "Thy Will Be Done", "Daddy's Song", "Try Me", "Thank You" / writer: "Kingdom Come", "It's Alright", "Someday", "Every Woman", "Stand", "Thy Will Be Done", "Daddy's Song", "Try Me", "Thank You"
Play It to the Bone
1999
writer: "Gonna Be a Lovely Day"
Any Given Sunday
1999
performer: "REVOLUTION" / writer: "REVOLUTION"
The Preacher's Wife
1996
writer: "Joy"
Get on the Bus
1996
performer: "My Life Is In Your Hands" / producer: "My Life Is In Your Hands" / writer: "My Life Is In Your Hands"
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
1996
performer: "Don't Give Up"
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Centric Celebrates Selma: 50th Anniversary Music Special
2015
TV Movie
Joyful Noise
2012
Baylor Sykes
Sweating in the Spirit
2005
Video
The Proud Family
2003
TV Series
Reverend Haygood
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
2001
TV Series
Something to Sing About
2000
TV Movie
Charles
Sister, Sister
1998
TV Series
James Henry
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Angel Wishes: Journey of a Spiritual Healer
2009
Stomp
1997
Video short
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Sunday Best
2015
TV Series executive producer - 1 episode
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Hot 10
2011
TV Series thanks - 2 episodes
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards
2016
TV Special
Himself
Saturday Night Live
2016
TV Series
Himself - Musical Guest
Covered-Alive in Asia
2016
Documentary
Himself
The View
2014-2016
TV Series
Himself - Musical Guest
Steve Harvey
2016
TV Series
Himself
The Real
2015
TV Series
Himself
Being
2015
TV Mini-Series
Himself
Sunday Best
2007-2015
TV Series
Himself - Host
Sidewalks Entertainment
2013
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Celebration of Gospel
2012
TV Movie
Himself
43rd NAACP Image Awards
2012
TV Special
Himself
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
2011
TV Series
Himself - Musical Guest
The Mo'Nique Show
2010-2011
TV Series
Himself
American Idol
2011
TV Series
Himself - Musical Guest
The Hot 10
2011
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Praise the Lord
2002-2010
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Guest Host
Tavis Smiley
2010
TV Series
Himself
24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards
2009
TV Special
Himself
Life on the Edge: A Global Crisis
2008
TV Movie
Himself
39th NAACP Image Awards
2008
TV Special
Himself
Can You Hear Me Now: The Evolution of Gospel Music
2008
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Live with Kelly and Michael
2005-2008
TV Series
Himself
Access Hollywood
2007
TV Series
Himself
22nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards
2007
TV Special
Himself - Host
BET Awards 2006
2006
TV Special
Himself
2006 American Music Awards
2006
TV Special
Himself
T.D. Jakes Presents MegaFest: Let It Flow
2006
TV Movie
Himself
Access Granted
2006
TV Series
Himself
37th Annual Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards
2006
TV Special
Host
Soul Train
1996-2006
TV Series documentary
Himself
21st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards
2006
TV Special
Himself
An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Stevie Wonder
2006
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Diamond Life
2005
TV Series
Himself
Night of Joy
2005
TV Movie
Himself
Livin It: Unusual Suspects
2005
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The Oprah Winfrey Show
2005
TV Series
Himself
Sharp Talk
2005
TV Series
Himself - Guest
25 Strong: The BET Silver Anniversary Special
2005
TV Special
Himself
An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Quincy Jones
2005
TV Movie
Himself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1997-2004
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Musical Guest
35th Annual GMA Music Awards
2004
TV Special
Himself
35th NAACP Image Awards
2004
TV Special
Himself
Higher Ground: Voices of Contemporary Gospel Music
2004
Video documentary
Himself
19th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards
2004
TV Special
Himself - Co-Host
Pyramid
2003
TV Series
Himself
Celebration of Gospel
2003
TV Movie
Himself (on video)
Essence Awards
2002
TV Movie documentary
Himself
17th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards
2002
TV Special
Himself
Journeys in Black
2001
TV Series documentary
Himself
An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence
2001
TV Special documentary
Himself
Kirk Franklin: The Nu Nation Tour
1999
Video
Himself
The 41st Annual Grammy Awards
1999
TV Special
Himself
1999 Essence Awards
1999
TV Special
Himself
29th NAACP Image Awards
1998
TV Special
Himself
Comic Relief VIII
1998
TV Special
Himself (as Kirk Franklin and Nu Nation)
Savion Glover's Nu York
1998
TV Movie
Himself
The 1998 Soul Train Christmas Starfest
1998
TV Movie
Himself
The 1997 Billboard Music Awards
1997
TV Special
Himself - Performer
Concert of Hope
1997
TV Special
3rd Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
1997
TV Special
Himself
10th Anniversary Essence Awards
1997
TV Special
Himself
Late Show with David Letterman
1997
TV Series
Himself
Stomp
1997
Video short
Himself
27th NAACP Image Awards
1996
TV Special
Himself
New York Undercover
1996
TV Series
Himself
The 8th Annual Soul Train Music Awards
1994
TV Special
Himself - Presenter
The Arsenio Hall Show
1994
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Black Girls Rock! 2011
2011
TV Movie
Himself
The Best of the Doves Marathon
2007
TV Movie
Himself - Performer
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1998
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2016
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)
Album: "Losing My Religion"
2000
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special
1999 Essence Awards (1999)
1999
Grammy
Grammy Awards
Song of the Year
For the song "Lean On Me"
1999
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special