Kirk Franklin reflects on a controversial 2024 performance in Jamaica that resulted in conversations about his stagewear and dance moves.
In a video uploaded to YouTube, the Gospel artist recapped his moments from last year, adding context and insight to his actions. In a clip uploaded by The Neighborhood Talk blog, the 54-year-old details the Caribbean moment, sharing an apology for his fans who were offended.
“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 explained of the grey tank top and white short outfit sported during the show. “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, “I sincerely apologize because I never want to get to a place that I can’t learn,” adding, “It doesn’t matter what my goal and intent is, if I’m louder than the message of Jesus, then I failed.”
Elsewhere in the upload titled Thank you for a beautiful 24, the Grammy-winning artist also discussed his collaboration with Memphis rapper GloRilla. Franklin previously discussed the song “RAIN DOWN ON ME,” which also features Maverick City Music, Kierra Sheard, and Chandler Moore, with Rocsi Diaz and Deion Sanders on their weekly We Got Time Today series.
“When we’re invited into their world, it’s very important that we don’t have to compromise our messaging … We’ve gotta be able to do life with people so that they can get the residue of the message that we’re trying to share,” he explained, per REVOLT TV. “Whenever I’m invited like I have my entire career, I try to do my best, and I may fail at times, but my goal is to make sure that the church does not just exist within the walls but that it exists in the world.”
Watch Kirk Franklin’s 2024 recap below.
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