Kirk Dewayne Franklin was born on January 26, 1970, in Fort Worth, Texas. Raised by his grandmother, who collected and recycled aluminum cans to fund his piano lessons, Franklin showed musical talent from a young age. He was offered his first contract at the age of 7, but his aunt turned it down on his behalf. Instead, he joined the church choir and went on to direct the Rose Baptist Church adult choir at the age of 11.
Franklin continued his musical journey by studying at the Singing Chaparrals at Oscar Dean Wyatt High School, where he became the pianist for the choir. After witnessing the shooting death of a friend, he returned to church at the age of 15, resuming his role as choir director and co-founding a gospel group called The Humble Hearts. This group helped him gain the attention of Milton Biggham, a gospel music legend and musical director of the Georgia Mass Choir.
In 1992, he organized a 17-voice choir called "The Family" and was quickly signed to GospoCentric Records after Vicki Mack-Lataillade heard a demo tape. "Kirk Franklin and The Family" released their debut album and continued to make music together until 2000. In 2001, Kirk Franklin began his solo career, with his music topping the charts in the years that followed with hits such as “Love Theory,” “I Smile,” and “Wanna Be Happy?”. His latest album, Father’s Day, was released in October of 2023.
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