In this time of Millennial spiritual questing, many musicians have ""gotten the callin'."" Madonna's Kabalic Konversion and Lauryn Hill's Rasta Revolution represent just two of the voices seeking the light of salvation. Kirk Franklin, the man who made ""Stomp"" a household jam from Nevada to New York, has come back harder than ever. Bringing the pain with his fourth and newest album, The Nu Nation Project, Kirk raises the ghost -- in a manner of speaking – while rockin' the house. R. Kelly, Bono and Mary J. Blige are just a few of the heads that add secular sauce to this spicy soul gumbo.
Whether you're a Sunday school teacher or a Sunday night teaser, you'll find The Nu Nation Project dropping some of the tightest production and musical mastery out there. ""Interlude: The Verdict"" is a hard core hip-hop intro. With a trial by a jury of his peers, Kirk faces off against critics in the gospel world who have rallied against his ""Holy Ghost Party"" secular style. ""Revolution"" is a blast-the-bass track that shuts down his opponents with iron clad conviction. Rappin' with a rugged staccato, Kirk shows that he gots skills on the mic. With a choir that belts out lyrics like "" Put Your Hands Up,"" Kirk rocks the pews and the Pathfinders.
""Lean On Me,"" featuring Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Crystal Lewis and Bono, is a slow, heartfelt gospel track. Word to the wise, guard your fine china -- cause yo bones will rattle when Mary hits them notes. ""Something About the Name Jesus"" features gospel legend Rance Allen and testifies like Sista Sara early Sunday morning.
Kirk Franklin lets heads know that he can throw his thang down like a true preacher man. With gospel in his bones and fire in his voice, this musical maestro gives it up proper. Setting new precedents in urban and gospel, simultaneously, Kirk Franklin is a star of galactic proportions, blessed with flava and fervor.
