By Emmanuel Buah
Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido has joined forces with American gospel icon Kirk Franklin on a new collaboration titled “Hope In You”, bringing together two influential artists from different musical worlds.
Released on October 30, 2026, the song features on Kirk Franklin's album, I Am What I Am. The collaboration has attracted attention because it connects Davido's contemporary Afrobeats sound with Franklin's longstanding influence on gospel music.
A COLLABORATION THAT BRINGS TWO WORLDS TOGETHER
Davido has built an international career through Afrobeats hits, major collaborations and performances across different countries. Kirk Franklin, on the other hand, is widely recognised for his contribution to contemporary gospel, particularly his fusion of traditional gospel with R&B, hip-hop and modern production.
Their partnership brings these different musical backgrounds into one recording.
The collaboration also reflects the increasing connections between African popular music and international music markets.
INSIDE KIRK FRANKLIN'S NEW ALBUM
I Am What I Am is a new project from Kirk Franklin featuring collaborations with artists from different musical backgrounds.
The album includes appearances from Davido, GloRilla and Jelly Roll, among others. The project demonstrates Franklin's continued interest in exploring contemporary sounds while maintaining his gospel foundation.
“Hope In You” is credited to Kirk Franklin and Davido and appears as the third track on the album.
WHY THE COLLABORATION MATTERS
For Davido, the collaboration provides another opportunity to introduce his sound to audiences beyond the conventional Afrobeats market.
For Kirk Franklin, working with an internationally recognised African artist creates another connection between contemporary gospel and global popular music.
It also opens up conversations about how artists from different musical traditions can collaborate without necessarily losing their individual identities.
INSTACOOL VERDICT
“Hope In You” is an interesting meeting of Afrobeats and contemporary gospel. The collaboration brings together two established artists whose musical journeys have developed in very different directions.
Its reception will ultimately depend on how listeners respond to the song itself, beyond the excitement surrounding the names involved.
NOW OVER TO YOU!
What do you think about Davido collaborating with Kirk Franklin?
Would you like to see more Afrobeats artists explore gospel collaborations?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
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