Image credit: Atlanta Wave TV graphic.
Kirk Franklin previewed his first-ever double album, I AM WHAT I AM, at an exclusive Atlanta listening session on Monday, October 12. The album arrives October 30 through Fo Yo Soul Recordings, TRIBL Records and Uptown Records.
Franklin is a 20-time Grammy-winning gospel artist. The project brings together seven studio recordings and music recorded live in a church setting. Its collaborators include Jelly Roll, TobyMac, Isaac Carree, GloRilla, Davido and Karen Clark Sheard.
The Atlanta session also offered Franklin an opportunity to discuss the ideas behind the music, including the evolution of Black church music, mental health, criticism and creative identity. The evening’s conversation was hosted by Crystal Renee Hayslett. The Baller Alert Show’s Ferrari Simmons and BT hosted on site, while BOSSIP’s Lauryn Bass reported from the scene.
A first-ever double album
I AM WHAT I AM combines seven studio recordings with live music recorded in a church setting. That format brings two approaches to gospel music together in one release: carefully recorded studio material and performances shaped by a church environment.
The album’s collaborators span gospel, Christian, country and other musical backgrounds. The announced lineup includes Jelly Roll, TobyMac, Isaac Carree, GloRilla, Davido and Karen Clark Sheard. Their appearances place different voices alongside Franklin across the album.
The project’s release date is October 30. It is being issued through Fo Yo Soul Recordings, TRIBL Records and Uptown Records. For listeners following gospel and wider entertainment news, the release offers a new album built around both studio recordings and live church music.
What happened at the Atlanta session
The exclusive listening session took place at Sessions Atlanta in the Uptown Records space on October 12. Crystal Renee Hayslett hosted the evening’s conversation with Franklin. Ferrari Simmons and BT of The Baller Alert Show hosted on site, and BOSSIP’s Lauryn Bass reported from the scene.
Franklin spoke about changes he has observed in Black church music and how those changes shaped his own place within the music. As reported from the session, he said: “The Black church culture changed. The church got rid of their choirs and the music was in a space that was not my strength.”
He also addressed how his approach connects contemporary sounds with gospel tradition. Franklin’s well-known line for that balance is: “I need a little gravy on my God.” The phrase captures his stated interest in bringing different musical influences into a gospel context.
Franklin speaks about mental health and criticism
Franklin also spoke about his personal experience with anxiety and depression. He described one song as an effort to make space for a conversation about mental health, saying: “That song was my attempt to find a space to talk about mental health.”
He also noted that the pressure to live up to certain religious standards can create psychological trauma. These remarks were shared as part of his discussion at the session. They reflect his own words and experience, without making claims about anyone else’s mental health.
Franklin spoke about being heard and responding to criticism. As reported from the session, he said: “I've been trying to explain myself for the last 33 years. This felt like the right opportunity to let people know that I listen and I hear everything that is being said. I am aware. This is my humanity.”
The comments connect the album’s title to a broader expression of personal identity. Franklin described the project as an opportunity to acknowledge his humanity and to speak in his own voice.
Advice for emerging artists
Franklin shared advice for artists developing their own sound and audience. He said: “Start off very true and build your audience slow. Don't ride the trends because you don't know when they're coming.”
He also warned against becoming “stuck making something that isn't you,” describing that experience as “a creative hell.” His advice centered on staying true to an artist’s identity while allowing an audience to grow over time.
The discussion also touched on faith through the perspective of collaborator GloRilla. Franklin referenced her perspective on faith during the session, alongside his comments about music and creative choices.
A live song dedicated to someone facing cancer
During the live portion of the music preview, Franklin dedicated one song to someone he knew who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The dedication connected the performance to a personal experience he shared at the session.
No song title or further identifying details are included here. The moment is reported as part of the session’s program, without adding details beyond what was reported.
Why the Atlanta session matters
The preview brought a major gospel release into Atlanta’s music conversation ahead of its October 30 arrival. It also gave Franklin a setting to discuss the album’s blend of studio recordings and live church music, along with the personal themes he raised during the session.
For Atlanta’s arts and entertainment community, local listening events provide a place for music news and new releases to reach audiences before release day. This session connected a forthcoming album with an Atlanta venue and local media coverage. It also placed the project’s collaborators and Franklin’s comments in focus for listeners following gospel music and entertainment news.
The album’s combination of seven studio recordings and music recorded live in a church setting gives I AM WHAT I AM a clear structure. Its October 30 release brings that project to listeners through Fo Yo Soul Recordings, TRIBL Records and Uptown Records.
For more Atlanta entertainment coverage, visit the Atlanta Wave TV newsroom. Share your favorite Kirk Franklin song or moment with us.
This article is based on publicly available information and reporting from the session. Atlanta Wave TV is not credentialed and was not attending the event. Information current as of October 19, 2026.
