Kirk Franklin is defending GloRilla after religious critics questioned whether the rapper was “not holy enough or churchy enough” to collaborate with him on a gospel song.
The gospel superstar revealed that the backlash has left GloRilla uncomfortable, and he’s struggling to watch her face criticism for expressing her faith through music.
“It’s been breaking my heart,” Franklin said during a recent appearance on Big Boy’s Neighborhood.
The controversy erupted after the September release of their collaboration, “This Time,” as some religious listeners questioned whether GloRilla’s secular rap career belongs alongside Franklin’s gospel music.
Franklin pushed back against those attempting to determine “who can and who can’t talk about Jesus.”
He also defended the rapper’s intentions, explaining that she was already a successful artist who didn’t need a collaboration with him to get ahead
Religion has been part of GloRilla’s life since childhood. She previously revealed that her strict religious upbringing prohibited secular music, prompting her and her siblings to listen to rap songs through a PlayStation secretly. Franklin is no stranger to controversy over his musical partnerships, having previously worked with Kanye West and Lil Baby.
The pair’s first collaboration, “Rain Down on Me,” appeared on GloRilla’s 2024 album Glorious and earned an award at the 2025 BET Awards.
“This Time” will appear on Franklin’s upcoming album I Am What I Am, out Oct. 30.