Grammys 2020: Best Gospel Album goes to Kirk Franklin for 'Long Live Love'
The Best Gospel Album, not to be confused with the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album category, was introduced in 2012 after the Recording Academy recognized a distinct difference between urban or soul gospel and Christian music. It thus combined three previous categories — Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album, Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album and Best Traditional Gospel Album to create a category dedicated to urban soul music.
Tori Kelly’s 'Hiding Place' won the Best Gospel Album award in 2019.
The nominees for Best Gospel Album in 2020 included:
'Goshen': Donald Lawrence presents the Tri-City Singers
'Tunnel Vision: Gene Moore
'Settle Here': William Murphy
'Something's Happening! - A Christmas Album': CeCe Winans
Kirk Franklin won the Grammy for Best Gospel Album for 'Long Live Love' at tonight's award show. The album received positive reviews for its handling of a wide range of issues ranging from social hatred to idolatry. Critics praised the influence of a wide range of gospel styles on the album. Fans and critics praised Franklin for bringing his signature sound to the album while also blending in relevant issues and exposing listeners to the depth and range that gospel music has to offer.
Franklin also won the award for Best Gospel Performance for his song 'Love Theory'. Franklin took to the stage to thank his loved ones before sending his prayers to Kobe Bryant's family.