Gospel icon Kirk Franklin has released his 14th full-length solo album, I Am What I Am, Capital FM reported. The record is out on Uptown Records. Its focus track is "Hope In You," a duet with Afrobeats superstar Davido.
The project is a double-disc set. It has 14 tracks: seven live recordings and seven studio songs. According to Capital FM, the live side stays close to the choir-driven gospel sound that made Franklin famous. The studio side pushes into Afrobeats, hip-hop and R&B.
Davido is not the only big name on the album. Karen Clark Sheard, GloRilla, Jelly Roll, Tim Rogers and Tobe Nwigwe also appear. The track "This Time" features Memphis rapper GloRilla and borrows from Mandrill's "Children Of The Sun." Capital FM said the song shows another side of the rapper's style.
Franklin released "Thank You For Everything" ahead of the album. The song features gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard of The Clark Sisters. Capital FM reported that it has become the fastest-growing record on gospel radio.
Franklin gave the song its live television debut at the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Its music video premiered on BET Her. The album is available now.