NEW YORK (Fo Yo Soul Entertainment/Zomba Records) - Fo Yo Soul Entertainment/Zomba recording artist Kirk Franklin, the biggest selling gospel artist in the SoundScan era, will release his sixth CD, HERO, in-stores on October 4! The gospel music innovator has, once again, raised the bar with this new album. HERO, the first release on Franklin's new Fo Yo Soul Entertainment label (in association with the newly formed Zomba Gospel) features a host of musical all-stars including musical genius Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams,
Sheila E., Dorinda Clark-Cole, tobyMac, Tye Tribbett,
J. Moss and P.O.D.'s
Sonny Sandoval among others.
The multi-talented Franklin is not only keeping on the cutting edge of music, but cyberspace too. Visitors to his new website – www.kirkfranklin.us - can keep up-to-date with Kirk's blog, see the first two 'Constructing Hero' episodes online, and join 'The Takeover,' his online street team. Not only is Kirk's new single, "Looking For You," taking over radio airwaves across the country, but it is also impacting the internet and cell phones, as well. In addition to being available as a digital download at all major digital music websites, the song is also being offered as a mobile ringtone via Sony Music Box https://www.kirkfranklin.us/lfyringtone. Fans will have the chance to chat with Kirk during a live interactive audio online chat on October 13 at 8:00 pm (EST) at GospelCity.com.
With the release of HERO, Franklin steps to the next level in his remarkable career and remains in the forefront of influencing future generations with his inspiring and timeless gospel message. In addition to the first single, 'Looking For You,' a signature hype record - featuring the classic Patrice Rushen sample 'Looking For You'- that Kirk's fans have come to love and expect from him, the CD includes the title track, 'Hero,' which chronicles the journey of mankind from destitution and depravity to redemption and restoration, and features guest vocals by one of the legendary Clark Sisters, Dorinda Clark-Cole. 'Let It Go,' featuring guest vocals by tobyMac and Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D., is a haunting musical testimonial where Franklin tells of a past filled with sex, drugs, pornography, insecurity and growing up without a father. 'Without You,' one of the most intimate moments on the CD, features a rare and deeply personal lead vocal from Franklin himself as he expresses his deepest sentiments of dependency on Christ. The one and only Stevie Wonder makes a featured guest appearance on the Motown-inspired song, 'Why,' a semi-tongue-in-cheek take on many of the social ills plaguing society, both inside and outside the church, that also features a scorching percussion by Sheila E. Several other tracks round out HERO including, 'Afterwhile,' featuring Yolanda Adams' velvety vocals along with a gentle piano accompaniment delivering a message of assurance and encouragement that will undoubtedly resonate with all who hear it.
Franklin hopes his new CD reflects his growth from that first CD release over a decade ago to his current roles as husband, father, businessman, youth pastor and now, new record label CEO. In the summer of 1994, Kirk Franklin made musical history and forever altered the face of contemporary Gospel with the release of his debut album, Kirk Franklin and the Family, the first Gospel album to sell more than a million units. The Fort Worth, Texas musician went on to win 9 Dove, 33 Stellar and 3 Grammy Awards in the Gospel music field. After a decade on the charts, the biggest-selling Contemporary Gospel artist in Soundscan history is poised once again to make a resounding debut with the release of HERO and as an entrepreneur and head of his own entertainment venture: Fo Yo Soul Entertainment, Inc.
Franklin's enterprise - which includes a full service youth outreach initiative, an advertising agency and a production company - is a multi-tiered relationship with Zomba/BMG, which includes a new record label, Franklin's solo recordings and his services as a record producer. The venture is integral to Franklin's evolution as a Gospel artist.
Beginning in early 2005, the youth ministry arm of Fo Yo Soul, NuNation Ministries, LLC, launched the first in a series of annual nationwide events designed to connect with the audience closest to Franklin's heart in Los Angeles at Faithful Central Bible Church. A cutting edge urban-styled youth ministry that offers a bi-weekly presentation filled with dance, rappers, acting, singing, DJ'S, the spoken word, etc., the initiative involves the talents of young people and prepares them to share their faith in innovative ways – similar to the popular urban youth-oriented programming like BET's '106 and Park' - but with a Christian message and Gospel flavor.
Other aspects of the Dallas-based FoYo Soul Entertainment include P-19 Media, LLC, a joint venture with the Loomis Agency, a Dallas-based advertising and media firm that assists leveraging Franklin's unique urban Gospel brand in corporate America. FoYo Soul Productions manages Franklin's concerts and tour schedules, and NuNation Ministries coordinates Franklin's numerous speaking engagements in conjunction with the William Morris Agency.
On August 31, TBN aired 'Kirk Franklin presents The Takeover,' a taped special featuring Kirk and his special guests live on stage at Dallas' Trinity Christian Church. Kirk was joined by joined by Mary Mary, Kierra "Kiki" Sheard, Tye Tribbett, Fred Hammond and The Potter's House Fire House Youth Choir, as well as guest speakers Dr. Tony Evans (pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship), Ron Luce (founder of Teen Mania), Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant (Pastor, Empowerment Temple), Pastor Anthony Myers (Youth Pastor, The Potter's House), Pastor Daven Baptiste (Youth Pastor, Faithful Central Bible Church), Von Minor (Youth Pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship), and Fatima Hall (founder and publisher, IMAGE Magazine) who spoke to the urgency of relevant youth ministry and outreach in today's culture bling-bling and booty-shaking videos.
The month of September was a flurry of activity for Kirk. On September 17, Kirk joined Bishop T.D. Jakes in hosting a free concert at The Potter's House in Dallas to benefit Hurricane Katrina survivors. The spirit-filled concert featured performances by some of today's top gospel music artists and all proceeds raised during the standing room only event were donated to Tom Joyner's BlackAmericaWeb.com Relief Fund to benefit individuals and families affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Surrounding the mid-September benefit concert date, Kirk was on the road in markets across the country pre-promoting the CD release. Earlier in the month Kirk taped a performance at a Stevie Wonder Tribute in Los Angeles, followed several by performances on the east coast including the National Council of Negro Women's Black Family Reunion Celebration in Washington, DC, 'KISS FM's Night of Healing' at Madison Square Garden in New York City, in full concert at the Jericho City of Praise in Lanham, Maryland, a TV taping of 'Bobby Jones Gospel' on BET in Washington, DC, and he returned to his home state of Texas for the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church's 'Back To School Jam' in Dallas.
In October, Kirk will continue his travels in support of HERO, making appearances at radio and retailers across the country including stops in Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Stay tuned to www.KirkFranklin.us for all the latest news and updates.
