Erica Campbell and Adam Blackstone joined the gospel artist ahead of his forthcoming album’s October 30 release.
West Hollywood, California — Kirk Franklin celebrated his forthcoming album, I Am What I Am, with an intimate listening party at The Sun Rose on October 19, bringing together figures from gospel music and entertainment.
According to event information, gospel vocalist Erica Campbell and Grammy-winning musical director Adam Blackstone joined the gathering, which offered guests a preview of Franklin’s latest project.
The 20-time Grammy Award winner is scheduled to release I Am What I Am on October 30, 2026. The album follows a career spanning more than three decades, during which Franklin has blended gospel with R&B, soul, hip-hop and pop. jesusfreakhideout.com
Event materials describe the project as Franklin’s first double album, featuring 14 tracks divided between traditional and contemporary gospel. That approach places different expressions of the genre alongside one another, reflecting the musical range that has shaped his career.
The forthcoming release includes “This Time,” a collaboration with Memphis rapper GloRilla released September 25. Franklin also preceded the album with “Thank You for Everything,” featuring Karen Clark Sheard of the Clark Sisters. Together, the collaborations connect artists from different generations and musical backgrounds. jesusfreakhideout.com
The West Hollywood gathering brought that mix of musical communities into an intimate setting as Franklin prepares to introduce I Am What I Am to a wider audience later this month.