Source: Rob Kim / Getty
Kirk Franklin will break his radio silence tomorrow (Aug. 28). That’s when the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show will premiere “Wanna Be Happy?,” the contemporary gospel pioneer’s first new single in almost five years.
Available on iTunes at midnight on the 28th as well, “Wanna Be Happy?” is the lead track from Franklin’s November-slated studio album via the singer’s RCA-distributed Fo Yo Soul Recordings. Franklin’s last solo album was 2011’s Hello Fear. The project — his tenth chart-topper — spent 19 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and has sold 572,000 according to Nielsen Music. Debuting and peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, Hello Fear also spun off the hit “I Smile.” The single reigned at No. 1 on Hot Gospel Songs for 23 weeks.
The Happy rollout will continue through the weekend as Franklin is set to perform the song for the first time during the Aug. 30 live season finale of BET’s Sunday Best. On the eve of the single’s radio premiere, the seven-time Grammy winner talked to Billboard about the single’s inspiration, the reasons behind his recording break and why he’s been afraid.
CLICK HERE to read story
source: Billboard.com
