Kirk Franklin’s "I Am What I Am" Is Out: Track List, Guests and Why He Says He Is Done Explaining Himself

Kirk Franklin's 14th solo album, "I Am What I Am," is out now, and the gospel icon says he is done explaining himself.

Released Oct. 30 through Uptown Records, it is Franklin's first double album. It has seven studio songs and seven live recordings, with 14 tracks and about 68 minutes of music.

The studio side features Jelly Roll, GloRilla, Davido and Tobe Nwigwe. Karen Clark Sheard and Tim Rogers appear on the live songs. "Hope In You" with Davido is the focus track.

"I Am What I Am" track list

Studio: 1. "Free Me Tonight" (feat. Jelly Roll), 2. "This Time" (feat. GloRilla), 3. "Hope In You" (feat. Davido), 4. "It Gets Better" (feat. Tobe Nwigwe), 5. "Able," 6. "Do It Again," 7. "Stay."
Live: 8. "Someday," 9. "It Is Well," 10. "Welcome In," 11. "Thank You For Everything" (feat. Karen Clark Sheard), 12. "Holy," 13. "Beautiful Thorns," 14. "Time" (feat. Tim Rogers).

Franklin has faced criticism over his mainstream collaborations for years, including the GloRilla pairing, since her catalog includes explicit content. He told the AP, "We as believers sometimes become judge and jury." He told TheGrio he doesn't explain as much as he used to, and RELEVANT reported he said at a listening party that he has spent 33 years explaining himself. "This Time" centers on holding on to faith through hard moments.

Franklin told Audacy he has spent his life trying to show his sincere love for Jesus Christ. The AP called the live track "Welcome In" a standout, saying it admits feeling forgotten by God at times while giving thanks for His steady presence.

Where is Kirk Franklin from? The 56-year-old, born Jan. 26, 1970, is from Fort Worth, Texas.

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