"When I was taught truth, that's when I got my freedom."

• Born Jan. 26, 1970, in Fort Worth, Texas
   
• Kirk Franklin got his start with Kirk Franklin & The Family, and their 1993 self-titled debut reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart. His 2002 solo album, The Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin, landed at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
   
• Franklin won his first GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album for 1996 for Whatcha Lookin' 4. He made his GRAMMY stage debut at the 41st GRAMMY Awards in 1999, performing "Lean On Me" with Nu Nation, Mary J. Blige, Gerald Levert, Bono, and Crystal Lewis.
   
• Thanks to his aunt collecting aluminum cans, Franklin was able to take piano lessons at age 4. He showed instant talent, and was offered a recording deal at age 7, but his aunt turned it down.
   
• In 2009 Franklin convened a group of gospel music artists, including BeBe Winans and CeCe Winans, to record "Are You Listening," with proceeds from the song donated to charities involved with Haiti relief efforts.