A Contemporary Gospel sensation since his debut album came out in 1993, Kirk Franklin has spent his entire career at the forefront of a crossover-friendly Gospel music scene. He rides the line between preaching and secular relevance with an effortlessness rarely matched in sacred music. Franklin is a rapper first and foremost; he rarely sings (preferring to leave the vocal duties to some talented members of the Kirk Franklin "family"), and that fact helps ensure Franklin's credibility with today's youngsters. His debut album was the first Gospel debut to reach platinum status, and each of his subsequent records has received both high praise and huge sales. The best part is that Franklin's craft continues to evolve -- his 2002 release, The Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin, was hailed as a masterpiece.
