Kirk Franklin Announces First-Ever Double Album “I Am What I Am”
Kirk Franklin Announces First-Ever Double Album “I Am What I Am.” Gospel music powerhouse Kirk Franklin is gearing up for a major new chapter in his career with the release of his highly anticipated double album, I Am What I Am, arriving Friday, October 30.
The 20-time Grammy Award winner shared the exciting news in a recent Instagram post, expressing gratitude to the artists who contributed to the project while encouraging listeners to pre-save the album ahead of its release.
“#IamWhatIam Album Drops Next Friday 10/30 🙏🏽 Grateful for every feature on this album!🔥 PRE-SAVE NOW LET’S GOOO!!!!” Kirk Franklin wrote.
The upcoming release marks a significant milestone for Kirk Franklin, as I Am What I Am will be his first-ever double album. The 14-track project brings together two different musical experiences, featuring seven contemporary studio recordings alongside seven live performances captured during his “Church Music” session at First United Methodist Church in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.
On the studio side, Kirk Franklin explores the intersection of gospel and contemporary music through collaborations with artists from different genres. Jelly Roll joins him on “Free Me Tonight,” while GloRilla appears on the previously released single “This Time.” The album also features Afrobeats star Davido on “Hope In You” and Tobe Nwigwe on “It Gets Better.”
Other studio tracks, including “Able,” “Do It Again” and “Stay,” add to the project’s musical range, reflecting Kirk Franklin’s continued willingness to experiment with different sounds while maintaining his gospel roots.
The live portion of the album shifts the focus to the energy and atmosphere of church worship. One of its standout moments is “Thank You For Everything,” featuring gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard. The song has already gained significant momentum at gospel radio, becoming one of the format’s fastest-growing records.
Kirk Franklin also teams up with Tim Rogers on “Time,” while the remaining live recordings include “Someday,” “It Is Well,” “Welcome In,” “Holy” and “Beautiful Thorns.” Together, the tracks bring the spirit of a live church gathering into the double-album experience.
Released through Fo Yo Soul Recordings and TRIBL Music Group in partnership with Uptown Records, I Am What I Am arrives as Kirk Franklin continues to push creative boundaries after more than three decades in gospel music.
With its blend of contemporary collaborations and traditional church performances, the project brings together different sides of Kirk Franklin’s artistry while highlighting his continued influence on gospel music.
I Am What I Am arrives on October 30, and listeners can pre-save the album ahead of its release.
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