From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Founded in 1992 by Linda Searight, the God's Property organization centers around high moral standards with emphasis on education and achievement through artistic expression and performance. Ranging in age from 16 to 26, and under direction of Robert Searight from its inception, the choir (often at-risk, inner-city based young people) is accompanied by a five piece band. Their repertoire ranges from spirituals to praise song, to traditional and contemporary gospel. ^[1]

The choir began to collaborate with Franklin in 1993 and sang backup on his 1995 album, Whatcha Lookin' 4. Franklin, in turn, produced and co-wrote most of the songs on the group's album in 1997 ^[2]. Kirk Franklin often works out new material with the choir in the studio and has appeared with the choir on The Late Show with David Letterman. The choir itself has performed with Celine Dion at the encore of the "Call The Man/Power of the Dream" concert in Dallas and on The 10th Annual Essence Awards with Stevie Wonder^[1]. God's Power is also reportedly touring with Jessica Simpson.

On Nov 2, 1998, God's Property sued Kirk Franklin. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that Franklin induced God's Property founder Linda Searight into signing an "onerous and one-sided" contract with B-Rite Music^[2].

The choir's 27 May 1997 album "God's Property From Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation"^[3] with Kirk Franklin won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist, the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video, the Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Album, and the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album in 1998. The album, driven by the radio hit Stomp^[4], sold at least 2.7 million copies and was on the Billboard's gospel chart for at least 71 weeks.^[2]. Stomp made it onto the following charts Hot 100 Airplay, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Recurrent Airplay, Rhythmic Top 40, The Billboard Hot 100, and Top 40 Mainstream^[4]. The album was the highest-charting gospel album in history as of 1997^[2].

1. ^ ^{a b} Kirk Franklin, Richard De La Font Agency, Inc., date accessed 18 Nov, 2006
2. ^ ^{a b c d} God's Property sues Kirk Franklin, Jet Magazine, Nov 2, 1998
3. ^ Audio CD (May 27, 1997), Original Release Date: May 27, 1997, Number of Discs: 1, Label: Gospocentric, ASIN: B000001Y37 (Amazon.com)
4. ^ ^{a b} Billboard, search of archives at billboard.biz

This Gospel music album-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.