Lift Every Voice: Kirk Franklin

Kirk Franklin comes to "LEV."

Early Start - Kirk Franklin’s musical journey began at the age of 4 when he began taking piano lessons.<br><br>(Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GMA)

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Early Start - Kirk Franklin’s musical journey began at the age of 4 when he began taking piano lessons.<br><br>(Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GMA)

Gifted Youth - At the age of seven he was offered his first music contract, but his aunt, who was raising him, turned it down. By the time he was eleven, he directed the adult choir at his church.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Gifted Youth - At the age of seven he was offered his first music contract, but his aunt, who was raising him, turned it down. By the time he was eleven, he directed the adult choir at his church.<br><br>(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Kirk Franklin: January 26 - The gospel singer celebrates his 43rd birthday. (Photo: Ben Rose/PictureGroup)

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The Family - In 1992 he organized The Family, a choir made of friends and associates. They released their first album, Kirk Franklin & the Family, in 1993.<br><br>(Photo by Ben Rose/PictureGroup)

Major Success - Kirk Franklin &amp; The Family spent almost two years on the Gospel charts, charting at #1 for 42 weeks, and becoming the first Gospel album to sell over&nbsp;1 million units.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;(Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

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Major Success - Kirk Franklin & The Family spent almost two years on the Gospel charts, charting at #1 for 42 weeks, and becoming the first Gospel album to sell over 1 million units.<br><br>(Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Married Man\r&nbsp; - Kirk Franklin married his wife, Tammy Collins, in 1996.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NAACP)

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Married Man\r  - Kirk Franklin married his wife, Tammy Collins, in 1996.<br><br>(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NAACP)

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STOMP! - In 1997 Kirk Franklin had a huge hit with the single “Stomp,” a collaboration with Gospel group God’s Property featuring&nbsp; Cheryl “Salt” James from the album God’s Property from Kirk Franklin’s Nu Nation. The song topped the R&amp;B charts and its video enjoyed heavy rotation on music video channels.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;(Photo by Adrian Sidney/PictureGroup).

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STOMP! - In 1997 Kirk Franklin had a huge hit with the single “Stomp,” a collaboration with Gospel group God’s Property featuring  Cheryl “Salt” James from the album God’s Property from Kirk Franklin’s Nu Nation. The song topped the R&B charts and its video enjoyed heavy rotation on music video channels.<br><br>(Photo by Adrian Sidney/PictureGroup).

Collaboration - Kirk Franklin collaborated with secular artists R. Kelly, Bono and Mary J. Blige for the song “Lean on Me” in 1998.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;(Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

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Collaboration - Kirk Franklin collaborated with secular artists R. Kelly, Bono and Mary J. Blige for the song “Lean on Me” in 1998.<br><br>(Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

Going Solo - After having lawsuits filed against him from both God’s Property and The Family, Kirk Franklin went solo on his 2002 album, The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin. Although it was his first major release to not win a Grammy, the album topped the Gospel charts for 29 weeks and went Platinum.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;}(Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/Fox)

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Going Solo - After having lawsuits filed against him from both God’s Property and The Family, Kirk Franklin went solo on his 2002 album, The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin. Although it was his first major release to not win a Grammy, the album topped the Gospel charts for 29 weeks and went Platinum.<br><br>}(Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/Fox)

Hero - Thanks to the singles “Looking For You” and “Imagine Me”, the album Hero gained Franklin another Platinum album. It won two Grammy Awards and was the 2007 Stellar Awards CD of the Year.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;(Photo by Nancy Ostertag/Getty Images)

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Hero - Thanks to the singles “Looking For You” and “Imagine Me”, the album Hero gained Franklin another Platinum album. It won two Grammy Awards and was the 2007 Stellar Awards CD of the Year.<br><br>(Photo by Nancy Ostertag/Getty Images)

Sunday Best - Kirk has a dual role as co-executive producer and host of BET’s Sunday Best, now going into its 4th season.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;(Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images)

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Sunday Best - Kirk has a dual role as co-executive producer and host of BET’s Sunday Best, now going into its 4th season.<br><br>(Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images)

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Celebrate - In addition to being a BET host, Kirk Franklin is a&nbsp;veteran of the &quot;Celebration of Gospel&quot; stage.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images)

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Celebrate - In addition to being a BET host, Kirk Franklin is a veteran of the "Celebration of Gospel" stage.<br><br>(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images)

Together Again - Kirk Franklin reunited with The Family at the 2010 Stellar Awards to perform the songs that made them popular in the '90s.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;(Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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Together Again - Kirk Franklin reunited with The Family at the 2010 Stellar Awards to perform the songs that made them popular in the '90s.<br><br>(Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Gospel Superstar - Kirk Franklin has won numerous Grammy, Dove, Stellar, American Music and BET Awards for Best Gospel Artist, Song of the Year, CD of the Year, and more.

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Gospel Superstar - Kirk Franklin has won numerous Grammy, Dove, Stellar, American Music and BET Awards for Best Gospel Artist, Song of the Year, CD of the Year, and more.

Hello Fear - Kirk Franklin’s eleventh studio album is Hello Fear, released on March 22, 2011. The lead single, “I Smile,” marks his first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in six years.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;(Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images for NAACP)

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Hello Fear - Kirk Franklin’s eleventh studio album is Hello Fear, released on March 22, 2011. The lead single, “I Smile,” marks his first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in six years.<br><br>(Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images for NAACP)