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KIRK FRANKLIN, THE FIGHT OF MY LIFE
Reviewed By Tiffany Jackson 

He’s back and he knows how to keep both the gospel world and the secular world rocking with his inspiration lyrics. This time Kirk Franklin returns with his 7th release, creatively titled The Fight of My Life. 

Album cover for The Fight of My Life.

This project is sure to become one of the best that Franklin has ever produced. The sixteen tracks scream musical brilliance. He talks about the inner struggle of believers to do what God wants them to do.

In a case of art imitating life, Franklin highlights great moments of victory in "Declaration (This Is It!)" (sampling Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald's hit), along with genuine moments of struggle on "How It Used To Be". Throughout the album, each song expresses the honest feelings of human despair highlighted by the human need for acceptance from God. 
 
As one has come to expect, Franklin amasses an impressive list of artists to assist him in his storytelling. Pastor Rance Allen and Men of Standard's Isaac Carree reprise their lead roles from "Something About the Name Jesus" to provide killer vocals to the deliciously funky track "Little Boy".

Balancing the male vocal fit is the powerful ballad "Chains", which features the vocals of Melonie Daniels, Nikki Ross, and Sheri Moffett-Jones (of Ted and Sheri and The Tri-City Singers). 
 
TobyMac rocks the house with the creative "I Am God", while Da' T.R.U.T.H. and Franklin spit serious heat on the incredibly affirming "I Like Me". 
 
One of Franklin's evident passions as both an artist and as a man is his fight to preserve the family unit. He introduces the 11-year old prodigy named Donovan on "A Whole Nation", which speaks to the absence of the fathers within the home. 
 
Be sure to also check out the heart-tugging "Help Me Believe" and "Hide Me". 
 
It could easily be argued that The Fight of My Life is the modern day soundtrack to the seemingly paradoxical expression of Pauline in his letter to Romans (chapter 7). 
 
However you slice it, there will be little to no fight for this album to grip listeners and never let go. Franklin has yet another magnum opus on his hands. Take it from his hands into your musical library.