If its one thing that Kirk Franklin understands, it is that soul and gospel have always been a part of the same close-knit family. Yet, since the release of his self-titled debut in 1993, Franklin proved himself a pioneer when he sprinkled a taste of hip-hop in the mix. In his bold attempt to broaden the range of the traditional gospel audience, Kirk Franklin was willing to take heat from the naysayers as long as it didn’t get in the way of delivering his message. “For me, it’s all about spreading love through the words of the Lord,” Kirk Franklin proclaims. “From my first songs to present day, that has been my primary mission.”

On Hero, this self-proclaimed “church boy” from Dallas, has once again created a revolutionary collection of material that merges the secular and spiritual for a beautiful musical experience. “Right now, with so many crazy things happening in the world, we are all looking for a savior,” Franklin says. “We have lost hope in our government, in our families and our marriages. Certainly we need a hero now more than ever, and that hero is Jesus.” Working with a range of artists including Stevie Wonder, Fred Hammond and Yolanda Adams, Hero will have you tapping your feet and counting your blessings.