The story of Kirk Franklin's "Stomp"

Kirk Franklin is an American gospel singer who has enjoyed significant mainstream success, often collaborating with hip hop and soul performers. 'Stomp' was one of his early singles, taken from an album where Franklin worked in collaboration with gospel choir 'God's Property'. The song also featured a sample from the George Clinton funk classic 'One Nation Under A Groove'.

Album

'Stomp' is the first track on the 1997 album 'God's Property'. Working with the gospel choir of the same name as the album, the record was the fourth of Kirk Franklin's career. The album enjoyed huge commercial success, being the first album considered to be gospel to top the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, heading the chart for five non-consecutive weeks. It also reached number three in the Billboard 200 album chart. Best-selling gospel long player The album has been certified as triple platinum and is believed to have sold something around three million copies in the United States, making it the best-selling gospel long player of all time. 'Stomp', when released as a single, also charted well. The song topped Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart as well as reaching the top twenty of the Rhythmic Top 40.

Music and lyrics

The 'Stomp' lyrics begin with an exhortation to the listener from Franklin himself, delivered like a rap MC, to prepare themselves for the fact that he is about to push the boundaries of gospel music even further. The song has grinding, funky rhythm that recalls the greatest soul songs, in that it makes you want to get up and dance. Free-style Like many Kirk Franklin songs, the music recalls more contemporary hip hop than gospel, with Franklin leading call and response choruses and free-styling his vocal contributions, with frequent exhortations to "Put your hands together!" and asking, "Are you with me?"
Vocal contribution The song includes an impressive rapped vocal contribution from Cheryl 'Salt' James, of female hip hop stars Salt 'n' Pepa. The song was written by Kirk Franklin, although writing credits were also issued for the writers of 'one Nation Under A Groove'.

Video and other points

The video to Kirk Franklin's 'Stomp' takes place in what looks to be a sports hall, with the paraphernalia of basketball, a sport rich in hip hop associations, in the background. The gospel choir look joyful and the hopeful message of the song is backed up by the way in which the cast dances and moves, again recalling contemporary hip hop rather than gospel.