The 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th GRAMMY Awards, will air live on CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday, Feb. 2. Watch highlights from the 2025 GRAMMYs on live.GRAMMY.com.
Twenty-time GRAMMY winner Kirk Franklin will be celebrated at the 2025 Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective, one of the marquee events during GRAMMY Week 2025. Franklin will receive the Black Music Icon Award, which celebrates Black music creators whose commitment to their craft has profoundly shaped the industry and whose legacy of service inspires countless people around the world.
An official GRAMMY Week 2025 event, the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective takes place Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, days ahead of the 2025 GRAMMYs. The event will highlight Franklin’s transformative impact on gospel music and his dedication to mentoring the next generation of creators.
“Kirk has not only revolutionized gospel music, but has also bridged the gap between genres, redefining the possibilities of musical expression and inspiring generations with his message of hope and faith,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said. “His unwavering dedication to his craft and his legacy of service embody the very essence of the Black Music Icon Award. We look forward to honoring Kirk for his profound influence on the industry and the countless lives he continues to touch worldwide.”
GRAMMY Week is the Recording Academy’s weeklong celebration comprising official GRAMMY Week events celebrating the music community and current GRAMMY nominees in the lead-up to the annual GRAMMY Awards. GRAMMY Week 2025 culminates with the 2025 GRAMMYs, which take place live on Sunday, Feb. 2, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The 2025 GRAMMYs will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ at 8-11:30 p.m. ET/5-8:30 p.m. PT. Prior to the telecast, the 2025 GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on live.GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.
Learn more about Kirk Franklin below:
As a gospel artist, Franklin has revolutionized the genre by seamlessly blending gospel, R&B, and hip-hop. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Franklin began playing piano at the age of 4 and directing choirs by 11. His groundbreaking debut album, Kirk Franklin & The Family, became the first gospel album to sell over 1 million copies, remaining on Billboard’s Gospel charts for an impressive 100 weeks. Known for iconic tracks such as “Stomp,” “Revolution,” and “Brighter Day,” Franklin’s innovative music has crossed over into mainstream success, reshaping the gospel genre.
Through a joint-venture partnership with RCA Records and his company, Fo Yo Soul Entertainment, Franklin has created diverse, Christ-centered content while mentoring urban youth. Across his 13 albums, all certified gold or platinum, he has earned multiple accolades, including nine Dove Awards, 33 Stellar Awards, and a Soul Train Award. His collaborations with artists such as Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, and Chance the Rapper have further bridged the gap between gospel and mainstream music, reaching wider audiences.
In addition to his musical achievements, Franklin is an author, penning the 2011 book The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms, which addresses topics like marriage, politics and faith with refreshing transparency. Through his foundation, the Franklin Imagine Group (TFIG), he leads community outreach initiatives focused on education and mentorship, empowering future generations to grow through faith and music.
Franklin’s leadership of urban contemporary gospel choirs — including the Family, God’s Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC) — continues to dominate the Billboard Gospel charts while achieving crossover appeal. As a trailblazer in gospel music, Franklin’s legacy resonates on a global scale, uniting audiences through the transformative power of faith.
Learn more about the Black Music Collective below:
The Black Music Collective is a hub for power players in Black music, across all genres, under the GRAMMY roof, bringing together creative geniuses and business leaders to set unified goals, align on a shared agenda, and build community. Follow the Black Music Collective on Instagram and Facebook for exclusive content.
The 2025 Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective will mark the fourth consecutive year of celebrating influential Black artists and industry leaders. Produced by MVD Inc., with Adam Blackstone returning as music supervisor, the event continues to recognize those whose contributions have profoundly shaped the music industry and culture.