The GloRilla and Kirk Franklin partnership is back, and this time it comes with a choir. The Memphis rapper teamed with the gospel great for a new single called "This Time," released Friday, September 25, 2026, that pairs her verse with his signature choir-driven sound.
The song arrives through Uptown Records and previews Kirk Franklin's fourteenth solo album, I Am What I Am, scheduled for October 30. It continues a creative relationship between the two artists that has repeatedly bridged mainstream hip-hop and gospel, a crossover that has become a signature move for Franklin over his career.
What the Song Is
"This Time" leans on the uplifting, gospel-forward production Kirk Franklin is known for, with GloRilla contributing a verse rather than the club-ready cadence that built her name. The pairing draws two audiences that do not always overlap into the same record, which is much of what makes the collaboration notable. For GloRilla, it is a chance to show range; for Franklin, it extends his long history of inviting secular artists into a gospel setting.
Franklin's Album Rollout
The single kicks off the rollout for I Am What I Am, Franklin's next full-length in a career built on genre-blending gospel. He is also set to host this year's Stellar Awards, one of the biggest nights in gospel music, which keeps him at the center of the conversation as the project approaches its late-October release. Leading the album cycle with a high-profile rap feature signals the crossover ambition of the record.
What's Next for GloRilla
The collaboration lands as GloRilla continues teasing her own second studio album, the follow-up to her 2024 debut Glorious, which reached the upper tier of the Billboard 200 in its first week. For now, the gospel feature shows a different side of her artistry and keeps her in rotation while fans wait for details on her next solo project.
The past two years have moved fast for the Memphis artist, who broke through with a run of hits and quickly became one of the genre's most bankable new stars. A gospel feature is an unexpected turn for a rapper known for high-energy anthems, but it fits a career that has leaned into range rather than a single lane. It also keeps her visible during a stretch when she has been teasing new solo music without committing to a date.
Why the Pairing Works
Crossovers between rap and gospel can feel forced, but the GloRilla and Kirk Franklin pairing has history behind it, which gives "This Time" more credibility than a one-off stunt. As the fall release schedule fills up, the single gives both artists a moment: a preview of Franklin's album and a reminder of GloRilla's reach beyond the club. A release date for her own album has not been announced.
