The Night Everything Changed for the Gospel Legend
Honestly, if you missed the Kirk Franklin BET performance at the 2025 awards, you missed a piece of music history. People usually expect gospel to be "safe" or tucked away in a quiet corner of the show. Not this time. Kirk didn't just perform; he took over the entire Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
It was June 9, 2025. The air was thick with expectation because BET was celebrating its 25th anniversary. Kirk was there to receive the Ultimate Icon Award, a title he shared that night with giants like Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, and Jamie Foxx.
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But here's the thing about Kirk. He’s 55 years old, and he’s still moving like he’s twenty. He hit the stage for a medley that basically summarized thirty years of why we love—and sometimes argue about—his music.
What Really Happened During the 2025 Medley
The segment started with a heavy hitters' entrance. D.C. Young Fly kicked things off with this fiery, old-school sermon vibe that set the table for "Revolution." If you grew up in the 90s, you know that track was a earthquake for the church.
Kirk came out swinging. He wasn't alone, though.
- Tamar Braxton brought the soul.
- Muni Long added that modern R&B texture.
- Salt (from Salt-N-Pepa) showed up for "Stomp," which was a total full-circle moment.
- Jamal Roberts provided those powerhouse vocals that Kirk is known for directing.
They went through "Silver & Gold," "I Smile," and "Melodies from Heaven." It wasn't just a concert. It was a revival. People in the front row were crying, and people in the back were basically turning the aisles into a dance floor.
The "Not a Perfect Christian" Speech
Before the music started, Kirk gave a speech that went viral within minutes. He’s always been transparent, but this felt different. He talked about Aunt Gertrude, the 64-year-old woman who adopted him when he was just a four-year-old boy "nobody wanted."
He didn't hold back. He literally told the world: "I am not perfect. I fail. I sin. I am not a perfect Christian."
It’s rare to see a gospel artist admit they can’t even sing that well on a global stage while accepting an icon award. He basically said that if his career works, it’s only because of God, because on paper, it "don't make sense."
Why the 2024 Performance Set the Stage
To understand why 2025 was so massive, you have to look back at the Kirk Franklin BET performance from 2024. That was the year he helped Will Smith make his big musical comeback.
They performed "You Can Make It" alongside Chandler Moore and the Sunday Service Choir. It was a huge moment of redemption for Smith, and Kirk was the one standing next to him, providing that spiritual backbone.
Some people hated it. They thought Kirk shouldn't be "platforming" secular stars in that way. Others loved it, seeing it as the ultimate example of what gospel is supposed to do—reach people where they are. That friction is exactly what makes Kirk Franklin so relevant in 2026. He doesn't stay in the "church box."
The Controversy Factor: Twerking and Tank Tops
We have to talk about the "Kirk being Kirk" stuff. Leading up to the 2025 awards, Kirk had to apologize for a couple of things that had the church elders' hearts racing.
- The Jamaica Incident: He wore a tight tank top during a performance in Jamaica. Some folks thought it was too "revealing" for a man of God.
- The "Twerking" Clip: During the Reunion Tour, a video surfaced of him playfully dancing on Jacky Clark Chisholm of the Clark Sisters.
In a YouTube video he titled "Thank you for a beautiful 24," he actually apologized. He said he never wants to be "louder than the message of Jesus." Whether you think he needed to apologize or not, it added a layer of human vulnerability to his 2025 BET appearance. He wasn't showing up as a saint; he was showing up as a guy who had been through the ringer and was still standing.
Why This Matters for the Future of Gospel
The Kirk Franklin BET performance wasn't just about nostalgia. It proved that gospel music can still hold the "center pole" of Black culture.
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He managed to win the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for the eighth time in 2025. This time it was for "Rain Down on Me," a collaboration with GloRilla and Maverick City Music. Think about that. A gospel legend collaborating with one of the biggest names in Memphis rap and winning.
That is the Kirk Franklin formula.
It’s about bridging gaps that most people think are impossible to cross. He bridges the gap between the choir loft and the trap house, between the 90s and Gen Z, and between "perfection" and reality.
How to Apply the "Kirk Franklin Method" to Your Own Life
You don't have to be a 20-time Grammy winner to learn something from how Kirk handles his business and his brand.
- Own Your Flaws: Kirk's "I am not a perfect Christian" speech is a masterclass in authenticity. In a world of filtered Instagram lives, being the first to admit you've messed up actually builds more trust than pretending you’re a saint.
- Collaborate Outside Your Circle: If Kirk only worked with other gospel artists, he wouldn't be an "Ultimate Icon." Look for people in different industries or with different viewpoints to collaborate with. It keeps you fresh.
- Focus on the Core Message: Despite the tank tops and the dancing controversies, Kirk always brings it back to the same message. If you have a core "why" for what you do, you can survive the small storms of public opinion.
- Honor Your Roots: Even at his highest moment, he talked about the woman who adopted him in Fort Worth. Never forget the people who saw something in you when you were "the kid nobody wanted."
Watch the replay of the 2025 medley if you haven't seen it yet. Pay attention to the transitions between the songs. It’s a lesson in pacing, energy, and how to command a room without ever losing your soul.