Gospel star Kirk Franklin has released a new single, “Thank You For Everything,” featuring Karen Clark Sheard of the Clark Sisters.
Written and produced by the multi-Grammy award winning singer alongside co-producer Adam Blackstone, “Thank You For Everything” is a reflective gospel duet featuring the refrain, “Looking back now, I can say thank you for everything.” Franklin and Clark Sheard’s powerful voices are joined by a soaring gospel choir.
Earlier this year, Kirk was honored with the Black Music Icon award at the Recording Academy Honors during GRAMMY Week 2026. In 2025, he received the Ultimate Icon Award at the BET Awards in recognition of his decades-long influence across music, culture, and entertainment.
Franklin’s last full-length release was 2023’s Father’s Day. That record produced the single “All Love” which won Best Gospel Song/Performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards, becoming Kirk’s 20th Grammy. The song also charted in the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart.
Across his 13 studio albums, Franklin holds the record for most number one albums on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart.
Last month, Franklin returned to The Jennifer Hudson Show to join the host in a duet of his song “Silver and Gold.” He also shared an emotional story about his time with Whitney Houston near the end of her life, when the two met and performed together in a quiet Atlanta restaurant. “We went to the piano, and we were there for about two or three hours,” he recalled. “As a singer, a lot of times you sing and you start to heal yourself… she wasn’t the Whitney that we remember, but she gave moments to remind you she was still there.”
