Long, Live, Love

Long Live Love is the twelfth studio album by American musician Kirk Franklin. RCA Inspiration, a division of RCA Records, alongside Fo Yo Soul Recordings released the album on May 31, 2019. It debuted at number-one on the US Top Gospel Albums chart, becoming his 13th release to top the chart, with 20,000 equivalent album units earned in its first week. With this, Franklin became the first artist to simultaneously top all five Billboard gospel charts: Top Gospel Albums, Hot Gospel Songs, Gospel Airplay, Gospel Streaming Songs and Gospel Digital Song Sales.

The album received two Grammys at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, where it won Best Gospel Album and the single "Love Theory" won Best Gospel Song.

Background
Following the release of the first single, "Love Theory", the title of the album was announced in March 2019 along with its release date and an upcoming tour in support of the album.

Critical reception
Timothy Yap of Hallels.com gave the album a positive review, rating the album 4 stars out of 5. In his review he said " It canvasses a plethora of topics from social hatred to idolatry to the Cross. It exposes us to all sub-genres of Gospel music" from old school choir to soul-massaging ballads. In short, this album contains everything we love about Franklin."

Musicians

 * Kirk Franklin: Keyboards
 * Shaun Martin: Keyboards, Programming, Additional Keyboards
 * Mark Lettieri: Guitar
 * Kermit Wells: Hammond B-3
 * Matthew Ramsey: Bass
 * Caziah Franklin: Drums
 * Maxwell Stark: Programming
 * Johnnie Murray: Guitar
 * Mike Bereal: Hammond B-3
 * Keith Taylor: Bass
 * Terry Baker: Drums
 * Philip Lassiter: Trumpet
 * Doug DeHays: Saxophone
 * Erik Hughes: Trombone

Vocalists

 * Anaysha Figueroa
 * Charmaine Broome
 * Melodie Rose
 * Amber Bullock
 * Darian Yancey
 * Minon Sarten
 * Emerald Boyd
 * Sharon Willingham
 * Deon Yancey
 * Eric Dawkins
 * Isaac Carree
 * Michael Bethany