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In the early ’90s, Kirk Franklin rose to fame and helped redefine gospel music for a new generation. Though the choir director and musician was raised in a deeply religious household by his aunt, in his teenage years, he rebelled. He left the church, became a teen father after impregnating his girlfriend, and got expelled from school.

However, after a close friend of Franklin’s was gunned down, the musician returned to the church and allowed his natural musical talent to flourish. In 1992, at age 22, Frankin founded The Family, a 17-voice choir which consisted of his friends and acquaintances. They were immediately signed by the label, GospoCentric.

The groups’ debut album, Kirk Franklin & The Family became the first gospel album to sell over a million copies. In 2000, Franklin went solo and the rest is history.

Kirk Franklin has overcome a ton of adversity

Born in Forth Worth, Texas, Franklin has been overcoming adversity from the beginning of his life. The 50-year-old was abandoned by his mother as a baby, and his aunt Gertrude stepped in to raise him. Seeing his love of music, his aunt collected and sold alumnimim cans to pay for his piano lessons, and he learned to read and write music quickly. From an early age, the “I Smile” songwriter excelled. He was offered his first recording contract at age seven, but his aunt turned it down.

Though he was raised in the church, his rebellious ways got him into a heap of trouble until he decided to return to the church in the later ’80s. By 1990 he would form “The Family” and later, “God’s Family.” However, lawsuits from various members of those choirs over money and finances eventually led him to a solo career.

Franklin is deeply religious but has been praised by a younger generation of Christians because of his transparency. In 2005, Franklin revealed to Oprah Winfrey that he had struggled with an overcome an addiction to porn.

He is also someone who constantly speaks out for Black Americans aginst various injustice and he’s come into conflict with the Trinity Broadcasting Network and GMA Dove Awards as a result of them censoring his speeches.

This is how Kirk Franklin makes his money

Franklin has been in the music industry for over three decades. The Grammy Award winner has earned credits as a producer, songwriter, and singer which has only helped to increase his net worth. He has sold over 12 million albums and has more than 20 #1 gospel hits. In addition to music, Franklin is an author penning books like his memoir, Church Boy: My Music & My Life, The Blueprint: A Plan for Living, and How Do Alligators Praise the Lord? among others.

Franklin is also the host of the long-running BET completion series. Sunday Best. Recently, Franklin participated in the wildly popular Versuz Battle series against Fred Hammond.

Inside Kirk Franklin’s net worth

With such a lengthy and extensive career, Franklin is a millionaire several times over. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the father of four is worth $8.5 million.

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