Kirk Franklin is standing up for GloRilla after their gospel music collaboration drew criticism from some members of the religious community, saying the ridicule directed at the rapper has been “heartbreaking” to witness.
The 19-time Grammy winner addressed the backlash during an appearance on Big Boy’s Neighborhood on Tuesday, discussing the reaction to “This Time,” his latest collaboration with the Memphis rapper.
Since the song’s release, some religious critics have questioned whether GloRilla, widely known for her secular hip-hop hits, is an appropriate partner for faith-based music. Franklin pushed back against that thinking, arguing that the rapper should not have to meet a particular image of holiness to participate in a gospel project.
“It’s been breaking my heart some of the ridicule that some of the religious have given her,” Franklin said during the interview.
The gospel veteran also described the criticism as a recurring argument that GloRilla is not “holy enough or churchy enough” to work alongside a gospel artist.
For Franklin, the debate touches on a tension that has followed his career for decades: whether gospel music should embrace contemporary sounds and artists whose musical identities extend beyond traditional Christian music.
GloRilla, whose hits include “Yeah Glo!,” has a hip-hop image that differs from the expectations some traditional gospel listeners may have of an artist participating in a faith-centered project. However, Franklin pointed to the rapper’s church upbringing and willingness to share her faith as important context in the discussion.
He also revealed that GloRilla had shared her discomfort with him over the judgment she faced following the song’s release.
Rather than treating the collaboration as a reason to exclude her, Franklin’s comments challenge the idea that an artist’s broader musical catalogue should automatically disqualify them from participating in gospel music.
The controversy is not the first time Franklin has faced resistance from traditionalists over his musical choices. Throughout his career, he has blended gospel messages with contemporary R&B and hip-hop influences, while also collaborating with artists such as Kanye West and Chance the Rapper.
His approach has helped bring gospel music to audiences beyond conventional church settings, although it has also placed him at the centre of debates over the genre’s sound and boundaries.
The partnership with GloRilla has already earned industry recognition. In 2025, the pair won the BET Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational for their earlier collaboration, “Rain Down On Me.”
That achievement provides context for their latest project, “This Time,” which has become the focus of renewed discussion about faith, musical identity and who gets welcomed into gospel spaces.
The supplied report also says fans of both artists have defended the collaboration, praising its themes of redemption and resilience. However, it does not provide specific posts or comments detailing those reactions.
For Franklin, the central issue is bigger than whether a rapper fits the traditional image of a gospel performer. His response suggests that a person’s relationship with faith should not be judged solely by the genre of music they make.
And as the debate over “This Time” continues, Franklin is making his position clear: GloRilla should not have to fit a narrow image of a gospel artist to be part of the conversation.
