- American gospel music star Kirk Franklin has faced criticism following news of his upcoming collaboration with Nigerian Afrobeats singer Davido
- Their song, I Hope In You, is scheduled for release on Friday, 30 October 2026, blending uplifting gospel messages with danceable global sounds
- Some social media users have questioned what Franklin stands to gain from the partnership, while others have focused on the song's potential audience and streaming performance
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American gospel music star Kirk Franklin has attracted mixed reactions following news of his collaboration with Nigerian Afrobeats singer Davido on an upcoming song titled I Hope In You.

Source: Instagram
The track, scheduled for release on Friday, 30 October 2026, is expected to combine gospel-inspired messages of hope with rhythms influenced by contemporary global music.
However, the unexpected partnership has sparked debate online, with some critics questioning why the veteran gospel musician has teamed up with one of Nigeria's most prominent Afrobeats stars.
Kirk Franklin and Davido's unexpected musical collaboration
Franklin has built a decades-long career in gospel music, becoming known for blending traditional gospel influences with contemporary sounds.
His upcoming collaboration with Davido represents a connection between two artists whose musical backgrounds and audiences differ considerably.
According to the report, Franklin described the project as a reflection of more than 30 years in the music industry, allowing him to embrace his musical roots while creating connections across cultures.
The song is expected to combine uplifting themes with rhythms designed to reach listeners beyond traditional gospel audiences.
Despite the potential for cross-genre appeal, the announcement has drawn criticism from some social media users who question whether the collaboration will benefit Franklin or Davido.
Watch a snippet of Kirk Franklin and Davido's new song here:
Social media users question the Kirk Franklin and Davido collaboration
Some critics have focused on the commercial value of the partnership, particularly whether the collaboration will generate significant streaming numbers for Davido.
@chiikadibia stated:
"This one never serious. There is absolutely nothing to benefit from a davido collabo. He is not that guy."
@MADU_4lyf shared:
"This one no pass 2.1k first day streams Osaks Dey give people wey get name 45k first day streams upon say he go drop like 5 different videos"
@realbaddboii noted:
"Yet again another feature wey no go add anything to davido streams. If the features ain't benefiting him then keep it, TF."
The comments reflect the opinions of individual social media users and do not establish how the song will perform commercially or whether either artist will benefit from the partnership.
What to expect from I Hope In You
The upcoming release brings together Franklin's gospel background and Davido's Afrobeats sound, creating a collaboration that crosses musical and cultural boundaries.
The song's central themes of hope, combined with contemporary rhythms, could introduce the artists to audiences who might not ordinarily listen to both genres.
Whether the collaboration meets listeners' expectations will become clearer after its release and the emergence of audience and streaming data.
For now, the announcement has generated discussion about the artistic and commercial value of collaborations between musicians from different genres.
Source: Legit.ng
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