Kirk Franklin Defends Decision to Work with Kanye West on New Album

Veteran Gospel music producer, singer, songwriter and label chief Kirk Franklin has been criticized by fans for getting himself involved in controversial artist Kanye West's new album.  Franklin is featured on West's Gospel-tinged single "Ultralight Beams" from his new album, The Life of Pablo. The single also features Kelly Price, Chance the Rapper, The-Dream, and a Gospel choir. 

Franklin wrote, "Kanye is not me. I am not him. He is my brother I am proud to do life with. No sprints, but marathons; like most of us are on."

Franklin continued by telling fans and they shouldn't judge West. "I will not turn my back on my brother. I will love him, prayerfully grow with him. However long he'll have me, and however long the race takes," he said.

"To a lot of my Christian family, I'm sorry he's not good enough, Christian enough, or running at your pace...and as I read some of your comments, neither am I. That won't stop me from running. Pray we win."

On February 12, 2016, after premiering The Life of Pablo during his Adidas Yeezy 'Season 3' fashion show event, West released a new track titled "30 Hours", for his GOOD Fridays series. On February 14, West performed "Highlights" and "Ultralight Beam" on Saturday Night Live. The Life of Pablo was later released exclusively through the streaming service Tidal, the same day. West announced that the album would be available outside of Tidal a week later, however, on the following day, West claimed that he would never release the album outside of Tidal, encouraging his fans to sign up for the service.

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