Kirk Franklin

The heavenly Sunday sounds of "Why We Sing," from Kirk Franklin's platinum 1993 debut, testify to the gospel sensation's overflowing spirit, but when you "get your praise on" to the sanctified, hip-hopified beats of "Praise Joint," the full force of Franklin's divine musical presence rings clear and joyous. This is gospel for a new generation of worship, with songs like "He Reigns/Awesome God" that fold bold Latin and Jamaican flavors into cherished tradition, or a heart-lifting "Lean on Me," featuring like-minded superstar Bono.

Can we get an "amen!"? More Kirk Franklin glory awaits in Next Steps.

It's a testament to Kirk Franklin's God-given talent that his more traditional soul-stirrers — the church-on-Sunday hosanna "He's Able," or "He'll Take the Pain Away," with its voices lifted together in worship — are every bit as exciting and exalted as such groundbreaking gospel as the faithful and funky strains of "Riverside," the calypso-soaked devotion of "Speak to Me," or even the sweet song of heaven "Kingdom Come," featuring neo-soul diva Jill Scott.

Go deeper into Kirk Franklin's inspirational music in Deep Cuts.

When the Spirit moves a soul as deeply as it moves Kirk Franklin's, it's only natural that the faithful will want to get next to that shining light. Franklin's new-school gospel draws stars from the worlds of sacred and secular music, blending the two to welcome all lambs into the fold. We're talkin' Stevie Wonder, whose blessed vocal beauty graces the soulful song of faith "Why," and urban dream Brian McKnight, who brings quiet-storm cool to "One of the Ones Who Did." And keeping heritage close to their hearts, Franklin and Marvin L. Winans bring us the sounds of country-church devotion with the traditional tones of "Brokenhearted."

If anyone ever provided a soundtrack for letting the Lord into your heart, it's gospel powerhouse Kirk Franklin. The self-proclaimed "church boy" grew up playing piano in his auntie's Texas church, but it wasn't until a friend's traumatic shooting death that Franklin truly devoted himself to his holy calling — creating songs of praise that blend tradition with the sounds of R&B, funk, and hip-hop. On tunes like "Imagine Me," Kirk and his heavenly choir, the Family, picture themselves guided by God away from cares and woe, while "If You've Been Delivered" imparts a whole new kind of devotional, complete with a call to "get up on your feet and praise the Lord!" From classic soul remade and reborn ("Ooh Child" with Donnie McClurkin) to simple expressions of sacred joy ("Hosanna"), we have the best of Kirk Franklin's essential new-school gospel.