Some members of the local Christian community in Zimbabwe have called for a boycott of an upcoming music tour by American gospel singer, choir director, record producer, and rapper Kirk Franklin.
Franklin, along with the Maverick City Music, is scheduled to perform at the Glamis Arena in Harare on August 12, 2024.
However, it appears that certain segments of the Zimbabwean Christian population are opposed to the tour.
Commenting on the calls for a boycott of Franklin and Maverick City Music’s Zimbabwean tour, journalist Ranga Mberi wrote on Facebook:
Behold,
I too was curious to know why some Krishens are calling for a boycott of a music tour by Kirk Franklin, Maverick City (I was a HUGE Kirk fan in my youth).
I therefore climbed to the top of Mount Sinai, the virtual high hill upon which many Krishens reside. And, now, I return down to you, like Moses, bearing tablets with the following summary for you, the lowly people of Facebook:
1. Kirk Franklin is a Satanist. How do we know? He did a freestyle and said something about the G.O.A.T. We all know this is a certified reference to the Dhevho.
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2. As if this wasn’t enough, he performed a duet with Will Smith ku BET. We know Smith is a heretic. Besides, and worse, the Will Smith video was a ritual because it had fire in it. That the lyrics of the song talk about walking through “the smoke and fire” and to the light, as illustrated in the very same video, is neither here nor there. It’s still demonic.
3. Oh, and Chandler Moore of Maverick City was also in the song.
4. Candler has a nose ring. Gay and demonic.
5. Kirk also must be gay
6. Kirk is Illuminati
7. We are a krishen neshen and anyone who goes to Maverick thing is being initiated into Satanism.
Summary: Kirk Frankin and Maverick City vakaromba.
Thus says the Lords of Facebook.
Amen.
Also commenting on the issue, Tinashe Nyamukapa, Tinashe Nyamukapa argued that gospel music should be viewed as a ministry rather than mere entertainment.
Nyamukapa contended that gospel artists should not adopt a business-oriented model, as he believes the primary purpose of gospel music should be spiritual edification and outreach, not commercial gain. He wrote on X:
So there has been much noise on social media regarding the Maverick City, [Kirk Franklin] world tour.
So I decided to take some time to investigate the context of why there has been such an uproar( which is a first ) concerning a gospel concert.
And all roads led me to the Masters Voice Prophecy Blog as well as to Kirk Franklin’s current issues with his song where he says the lion and the lamb will bow to the G.O.A.T.
Kirk Franklin has been unfortunately highly controversial of late and this one lyric when you sing Gospel music which should be based on theology is highly concerning.
Personally, where do I stand? Firstly I have always maintained and will always maintain that you cannot make people pay to worship.
That’s not the biblical model and yes I know musicians should be paid and I strongly believe and have even done a blog on why musicians should be paid but the concert model is not a biblical model and the moment you copy the world and the love of money becomes the motivation it eventually catches up with you!
Secondly, gospel artists know your audience. I know there are a lot of people crying that this is Christians being judgey. I disagree.
The moment people are paying for a product they have a right as customers to certain privileges. You cannot claim to run a business and then cry foul when you are treated like a business.
I would say Kirk especially has been rather reckless and even unrepentant with his actions which his Christian clients consider not in line with their beliefs and value system.
Hence he cannot cry foul when people no longer want to spend their money on his product. He should know his audience and let his business respect the wishes of the customer. The customer is King as the saying goes.
Thirdly I see my brother Takesure Zamar’s cancellation as protecting his brand. And I say protecting his brand because he had initially agreed to do the concert had he not; so they had agreed on payments and so on.
I don’t think that was the issue. The issue was that Takesure could not let his brand be associated with this controversy knowing full well that the church world can be very punitive when it comes to cancelling gospel artists.
And we can see by the comments on his cancellation post that his clients were very happy with the decision that he took. Fourthly what’s gonna happen now?
Well, I think certain people will still go to the event but it’s most likely going to flop because of this controversy.
Unlike in the secular world where controversy sells and no publicity is bad publicity. In Christian business controversy kills brands and bad publicity causes the saints to avoid you.
Lastly to those in the Christian music business, the lesson to be learnt here is to know your customer and beware of your conduct.
The Christian music scene has some unwritten rules and if you break them your business will suffer loss. I do not subscribe to gospel music being a business model but I subscribe to gospel music being a ministry because it’s more than entertainment.
It is a ministry that is supposed to change lives, bring healing and miracles and lead souls to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
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