Twenty-time GRAMMY® Award winner Kirk Franklin has released his fourteenth full-length solo album, I Am What I Am, a 14-track double-disc project that brings together his gospel foundations and continued interest in pushing musical boundaries.
Out now via Uptown Records, in partnership with Franklin’s Fo Yo Soul Entertainment and TRIBL Music Group, the album is divided into two complementary sections: seven studio recordings and seven live performances. Together, they highlight the different sides of an artist whose influence spans gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and contemporary music.
The focus track, “Hope In You,” featuring Afrobeats superstar Davido, brings an international dimension to the project. The collaboration connects Franklin’s gospel-driven approach with one of Africa’s most recognisable contemporary music voices, creating a meeting point between different musical audiences.
Across the studio recordings, Franklin explores a range of sounds while maintaining the faith-centred message that has shaped his career. The album also features appearances from Karen Clark Sheard, GloRilla, Jelly Roll, Tim Rogers and Tobe Nwigwe, giving the collection a diverse mix of gospel, hip-hop and other contemporary influences.
One of the project’s notable moments is “This Time,” featuring GloRilla. Built around an interpolation of Mandrill’s “Children of the Sun,” the track pairs a large, choir-like chorus with Franklin’s energetic delivery. GloRilla brings her own Memphis hip-hop style to the record, offering an opportunity to hear her in a different musical setting while showcasing her versatility beyond her usual sound.
The album also includes “Thank You For Everything,” featuring gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard, which arrived ahead of the full project. The song has become the fastest-growing record at Gospel radio, according to the release announcement. Franklin also performed it at the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, marking its live television debut, while its accompanying video premiered on BET Her.
The seven live recordings bring the project back to the choir-led gospel sound that helped establish Franklin as a defining figure in contemporary worship music. Tracks such as “Someday,” “It Is Well,” “Welcome In” and “Holy” provide a contrast to the more experimental studio material, while collaborations with Clark Sheard and Tim Rogers add further gospel depth.
Kirk Franklin – I Am What I Am Tracklist
- “Free Me Tonight” (feat. Jelly Roll)
- “This Time” (feat. GloRilla)
- “Hope In You” (with Davido)
- “It Gets Better” (with Tobe Nwigwe)
- “Able”
- “Do It Again”
- “Stay”
- “Someday” (Live)
- “It Is Well” (Live)
- “Welcome In” (Live)
- “Thank You For Everything” (Live) (with Karen Clark Sheard)
- “Holy” (Live)
- “Beautiful Thorns” (Live)
- “Time” (Live) (with Tim Rogers)
The release follows news earlier this year that Franklin had entered a partnership with Uptown Records, working alongside his own Fo Yo Soul Entertainment and TRIBL Music Group. The arrangement brings together three music companies with a shared interest in expanding the reach of his work.
With more than three decades in music, Franklin has built a career around bringing gospel into conversation with contemporary sounds. His achievements include 20 GRAMMY® Awards, 24 Stellar Awards and billions of streams and views. His influence also extends beyond recording, with projects spanning television, radio, artist development and charitable work.
On I Am What I Am, Franklin brings those different dimensions of his artistry into one project. The live disc honours the choir-driven gospel tradition that shaped his beginnings, while the studio side explores how that foundation can continue to evolve through new collaborations and musical directions.
Featuring Davido, GloRilla, Karen Clark Sheard, Jelly Roll and more, the album offers a broad picture of Kirk Franklin’s musical identity, reaffirming his ability to connect gospel with audiences across generations and genres.
