Now Playing
Fo Yo Soul Recordings / RCA RecordsToday saw the release of Kirk Franklin‘s eleventh studio album, Losing My Religion, his first in nearly five years. The gospel star tells ABC Radio about the recording process for the album’s lead single, “Wanna Be Happy?” — which debuted and remains at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart.
“When God gives me songs as a songwriter, it’s really like writing one long song, meaning that I think some artists — when they work with other writers and producers — they are gathering information from different people, so they are connecting with the stories of the producers and stories of the other writers,” Franklin says. “But for me that’s kind of the gift that God has given me. So, you know, ‘Want to Be Happy’ it was the same process as ‘It’s Time’ or ‘Road Trip,’ you know, they all come from the same soul and the same journey I guess.”
Kirk adds that he doesn’t get too caught up in first week sales, especially since he has a spiritual marker of success. “I think what’s supposed to happen is that before the album comes out, before you are finished with the record, you have to have a peace in you heart that God is smiling on it, that God is clapping, that God is applauding. Because if you don’t have that peace, then you will end up becoming bipolar in your process.”
The singer continues, “So way before it even gets to you guys, I try to go through the process of knowing and having the confidence that God is pleased, that God has smiled upon it.”
Losing My Religion boasts 13 soul-stirring tracks including guest features from Kim Burrell, Tasha Cobbs, Zacardi Cortez, Lalah Hathaway, Tamela Mann, Tasha Page-Lockhart and Sarah Reeves.
Franklin’s last solo album was 2011’s Hello Fear.
Here’s the official track list:
“Losing My Religion”
“Miracles”
“123 Victory”
“Road Trip”
“Pray for Me”
“Wanna Be Happy?”
“It’s Time” (featuring Tasha Page-Lockhart and Zacardi Cortez)
“True Story”
“Over”
“When” (featuring Kim Burrell and Lalah Hathaway)
“My World Needs You” (featuring Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs and Tamela Mann)
“Intercession”
“No Sleep Tonight”
franklin Humble Losing process recording religion staying talks
