Keeping Kanye West's name off a gospel record might have spared Kirk Franklin some uncomfortable conversations with the church crowd. However, the gospel veteran wasn't interested in hiding the rapper's involvement, even when Ye offered to provide beats without taking credit. Franklin recently recalled the unusual proposal, explaining why he refused to accept music from someone whose name he wasn't willing to acknowledge publicly.
During a conversation with Nessa on HOT 97, Franklin remembered West visiting his home with his father and cousin the day after Thanksgiving in 2014. The rapper had driven from Oklahoma and apparently arrived with an appetite, because Franklin joked that Ye and his father ate all his Thanksgiving leftovers. However, their conversation eventually turned to music, with West expressing an interest in contributing to gospel. He offered to produce beats anonymously because he didn't want his involvement to upset the Christian community.
Franklin immediately rejected the arrangement. "I told him, I said, 'No, we not doing that,'" he recalled. "Because that sends a message that your gift is good enough, but you're not." The distinction mattered to Franklin, who has faced criticism for working with secular artists. Rather than conceal West's participation to satisfy religious audiences, he wanted the producer to receive the recognition he deserved.
Read More: Kirk Franklin Discusses Kanye West And His Place On The Mount Rushmore Of Gospel
Kirk Franklin Has Continued Defending His Hip Hop Collaborations
The two eventually worked together publicly on "Ultralight Beam," the opening track from West's 2016 album The Life of Pablo. Franklin also joined Ye on Saturday Night Live, performing alongside Chance the Rapper and a gospel choir. Their collaboration drew criticism from some Christian listeners, but Franklin defended his relationship with West. He said he wouldn't turn his back on the rapper just because others questioned his faith.
That position has remained consistent, especially as Franklin continues working with Hip Hop artists. His collaborations with GloRilla have generated similar objections, including criticism after their song "Rain Down On Me" won a BET Award in 2025. Gospel singer Deitrick Haddon argued that the award reflected problems within the genre, while Franklin has defended GloRilla against those questioning her place in gospel music.
The pair have reunited on "This Time," featured on Franklin's new album, I Am What I Am, released Friday (Oct. 30). Speaking with Big Boy earlier this week, Franklin said the criticism directed at GloRilla had been particularly hurtful, with some religious listeners questioning whether she was sufficiently Christian to participate. More than a decade after his conversation with Kanye, Franklin still won't let those objections determine who gets to make gospel music.
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