When Kirk Franklin began crafting his latest project in January 2025, he envisioned a standard release, but the creative process gradually turned it into an ambitious double album split between traditional sanctuary worship and contemporary studio soundscapes. The 14-track project, I Am What I Am, which was released on October 30, balances seven live sanctuary songs—recalling the roots of historic hits like "Why We Sing," "Silver and Gold" and "Hosanna"—with seven modern studio recordings featuring high-profile crossover partnerships, including a collaboration with hip-hop artist GloRilla. "The album just really evolved into something that I didn't really see coming," Franklin said, reflecting on how unexpected the eventual scope of the project became while he navigated its development.
"Seven live church songs that are more reflective of the ‘Why We Sing’ Kirk, the ‘Silver and Gold’, ‘Hosanna’ kind of Kirk. And then seven studio songs like the GloRilla record and songs like that." Throughout a career spanning more than three decades, public examination regarding Franklin's wardrobe choices, stage choreography and genre-crossing partnerships has frequently generated debate among traditionalists. Instead of attempting to placate observers who continuously interrogate his motives, the artist has chosen an unwavering posture of self-acceptance.
"As I continue to just go through my career, even with the recent controversy around me working with GloRilla, there's always questions of my motives, my agenda, my heart, my intent, the things I do—whether things I wear, how I dance on stage, or just whatever," he said. "I realized that by at this stage, what you believe about me, what you think about me, there's nothing I can do to change that. I can only be intentional about who it is I'm trying to be.
So I concluded with the title of the album is that whatever you think about me, good, bad, or ugly, I am what I am." Extending open invitations to collaborators outside conventional gospel circles aligns directly with foundational spiritual principles, which Franklin views as prioritizing expansive community over restrictive boundaries. Drawing inspiration from biblical narratives, he emphasized how authentic ministry requires meeting individuals within their distinct environments. "Well, I think that an elitist, members-only type of approach is very counterintuitive to the message of Jesus Christ, right?" Franklin said, underscoring his philosophical alignment with scriptural accounts.
"It is Jesus sitting with the taxpayers. It is Jesus sitting with the outliers of the culture that he lived in at that moment. And so, while at the same time still not compromising his posture, not compromising his calling and his purpose, he was also very intentional to make sure that everybody had a chair at the table." Because musical expression serves as a universal medium where diverse perspectives converge, Franklin believes art enables individuals to dismantle personal egos and connect authentically.
"And it is my goal and my agenda," he said regarding his creative mission. "And I think the music is that idea that equalizes all of us, right? It is this art form, this medium, that allows people to lower their egos and their mindsets where everybody can feel comfortable being at the table." While modern digital platforms accelerate media consumption and shorten audience attention spans, Franklin observed that the historical devaluation of recorded music was initiated decades ago when telecommunication companies began bundling free ringtones with mobile device subscriptions.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
