Kirk and Kanye: Lost or Found?

If you’ve been out of the loop lately, Kirk Franklin and Kanye West have both been in the news, one for his polarizing views on organized religion, the other for his polarizing and confusing views on life and general. Kirk Franklin, a titan in the gospel music realm, has been hanging out with Kanye West,another musical titan taking pictures with him in the studio as well as sharing the stage with him on SNL for their collaborative song, Ultra Light Beam off of Kanye’s recent project The Life of Pablo. Their union has incurred the wrath of many Christians who feel as if Kirk is compromising his values and views for a secular artists. Interestingly enough, Kanye’s penchant for making off colored comments has not dwindled since the release of his project as he is now finding himself the target of criticism for his misogynistic comments to Taylor Swift as well as for his admitted financial struggles.While controversy is nothing new to Kanye and at times Kirk, Kirk Franklin’s comments on organized religion as well as his commitment to stand by Kanye are two things that make their relationship worth discussing.

Kirk Franklin’s interview in November of 2015 on the radio show The Breakfast Club, started the firestorm that has surrounded Mr. Franklin and is part of the reason why his relationship with Kanye is even more troubling to some. In what is a 40 minute interview Kirk not only shares details of his past, he also explains why he does not consider himself a follower of organized religion any longer. Kirk sees the institution we know as the church now in the same light that many critics see it as : a place of judgment where people can seldom receive the treatment they need. He speaks of removing a lot of the religious dogma and systemic requirements that he feels is taking away from the emphasis on God.

He continues by stating that religion gives its adherents a lot of rules, all while giving judgment and not offering a true relationship. “Just like marriage cannot provide intimacy, religion cannot in itself provide a relationship.” Needless to say some members of the Christian community seemed to view Kirk Franklin’s comments as treason, an admission of his lack of faith in Christ. While I would not go as far as saying he is probably viewed as a social pariah, I would say that there are many who will not follow his career any longer because of his newly adopted views.

That is what makes the relationship between these two gentleman all the more powerful though. Here are two men with strong religious convictions: Kanye’s first record Jesus Walks set the tone for his social and religious leanings early on his career, leanings that are only furthered complicated now when you factor in his mentorship with Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam. Kanye’s insistence on being daring and complicated has always caused problems whether it was him wearing the crown of thorns on the cover of Rolling Stone or calling himself a god and in some senses led to him being ostracized by many people. Kirk’s recent declaration on faith is an example of another gutsy and daring move, a move that surely is complicated and one that has undeniably stirred up conflict as well.

In fact Kirk’s comments on creative people reads much like the narrative of Kanye West and others who feel as if they’ve been persecuted for trying to express themselves and encourage others. Regardless of their personal stances, their decision to support each other is one that rightfully so got the attention of the world. Kirk’s prayer on the introduction serves as the best testament to both of their views, “You can never go too far to where you can’t go back home.” Welcome home brothers!