Kirk Franklin is an American songwriter, choir director, gospel singer, and rapper. He released his debut album Kirk Franklin & The Family in 1993, The Nu Nation Project in 1998, and Hello Fear in 2011. Franklin participated in a Verzuz battle with Fred Hammond. His most popular songs include I Smile, Something About the Name Jesus, and Wanna Be Happy?. Franklin has also appeared in films such as Joyful Noise, Mariah’s Christmas: The Magic Continues, and Kirk Franklin’s A Gospel Christmas.