Gospel legends Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond to go head-to-head in 'Healing Verzuz' Instagram battle
On the heels of Jill Scott and Erykah Badu’s Verzuz Instagram battle, which broke viewing records and healed plenty of souls, the super-popular Verzuz series that started in the wake of Covid-19 has recently announced another healing music battle for May 31, which is badly needed in these times of strife and affliction. This time, gospel artistes Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond have been roped in to bring a spiritual hue and healing factor to the Verzuz IG battles, which typically ropes in big hip-hop industry names as they go head-to-head and pit their best tunes against each other. A special guest, Bishop TD Jakes, is also being roped in to further bless the special occasion, which is primed to be an outpouring of support and love.
The Verzuz TV Instagram account recently made the announcement on May 28, saying that the event would take place on Sunday afternoon, May 31, at 5 pm ET. "Join Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond and Bishop TD Jakes for this Sunday’s special edition of VERZUZ – THE HEALING 🙏🏽 Everyone needs a hug 🙏🏽,” Verzuz TV shared. They also tagged the special guests who would be taking part in the event - “@kirkfranklin @bishopjakes @realfredh song by @keedronbryant @timbaland this one will be special 🙏🏽 Live on @verzuztv this Sunday 5PM EST."
The 50-year-old Kirk Franklin is a nationally-acclaimed choir director and gospel musician, responsible for hits such as 'Revolution', 'Looking for You', I Smile', 'My World Needs You', 'Love Theory' and 'Stomp', which became a No 1 hit in 1997. He has already picked up 15 Grammys in his storied career. Meanwhile, the 59-year-old Fred Hammond is a Grammy, Dove, and Stellar award-winner, famous for singles such as 'Celebrate (He Lives), 'Power,' 'Let the Praise Begin', 'We Have Not Forgotten' and many more popular tunes. Hammond himself hailed the upcoming Verzuz battle (or communion, rather) on his Instagram account, where he posted a video of him speaking with Kirk Franklin and the founders of these popular Verzuz IG battles, the producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz.
“Very important Zoom last night,” read Hammond's video caption. “@kirkfranklin and I got a very important and timely call last night. 🙏🏽 let’s bless as many as we can. @therealswizzz @timbaland @kirkfranklin and yours truly @realfredh.” Many fans were also pleased that this event was announced, saying, "Yessss!!! So needed especially now!!!!!🙌🏽❤" Another gospel listener posted, "Wow I was gonna ask for a gospel one!!!!! Dope 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾". Other Instagram users said, "Just what we need, perfect timing" while another fan declared, "I’m looking forward to this! 🙏🏾"