Kirk Franklin admits sometimes he gets caught up in the music and does “too much” in front of his fans.
On Dec. 30, 2024, Franklin posted a video on his YouTube channel looking back on 2024, and addressed “moments that had people talking.”
The gospel music legend reflected on his widely-praised Grammys performance; and receiving an honorary doctorate from Morris Brown College in Atlanta.
Then he discussed some of his controversial moments, including backing that thang up and twerking on a female singer during his Reunion Tour.
Franklin told his YouTube listeners he was having fun, but perhaps his dance moves weren’t appropriate for the gospel music gathering.
“I play too much, I’m friends with these people, we have fun backstage, and I don’t know how to separate the backstage Kirk from onstage Kirk,” he said. “These are my people, and we act silly backstage and have fun. And I don’t know how to turn that off, and I got to learn it, because I know that it can be offensive to some people.”
Related: Kirk Franklin Details Emotional First Meeting With Biological Father in New Documentary
Franklin also apologized for gyrating and dressing like he was going to the beach — for his performance at the “Fun in the Son” gospel festival last April in Jamaica.
“I am aware now that my choice of attire, which as a team we thought was going to be fine being outside in the weather, was going to be something that would not come across as disrespectful,” he said.
“I’ve spent most of my career dancing and moving around and jumping on stage that I didn’t know that I would ever do anything that would ever offend anyone in any community, but it did. And because it did, I sincerely apologize,” he continued.
Franklin added that he never intended to offend anyone.
“It doesn’t matter what my goal and intent is, if I’m louder than the message of Jesus, then I failed,” he explained.
According to The Christian Post, the concert was sponsored by Best Dressed Chicken and its parent company, Jamaica Broilers Group, which trumpets Judeo-Christian values.
After the concert, Jamaica Broilers Group President and CEO Christopher Levy told The Christian Post the company was disappointed with Franklin.
“When we engage an artist, it is with a degree of trust that the artist will be aware and sensitive to their audience. We expected more from Mr. Franklin,” said Levy. “We are cognizant that each of us [is] working through our relationship with The Lord, and we prayerfully support his growth.”
Watch the video below with Kirk Franklin looking back on 2024:
