Hello Fear is the tenth studio album by Kirk Franklin. The record was also on the newly established Verity Gospel Music Group and Jive partnership, after Jive had replaced Zomba. The first single "I Smile" reached number 85 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his first single in six years to appear on that chart; last single to do so was "Looking for You" in 2005 which reached number 61. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 with 87,000 copies sold in the first week, becoming his first album in nine years to debut in the top ten; last album being The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin in 2002 which debuted at number four. The album has sold over 401,000 copies, ranking as the 64th highest selling album in the US in 2011. On February 12, 2012, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA. In 2012, the album won Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album. As of August 2015, the album has sold 572,000 copies in the US.
Track listing Written, arranged, and produced by Kirk, except where noted. Co-produced by Shaun Martin.
Personnel
Main vocalists/ensemble Nikki Ross, 1st Soprano Anaysha Figueroa, 2nd Soprano Cheryl Fortune, 1st Alto Charmaine Swimpson, 2nd Alto Eric Moore, 1st Tenor Isaac Carree, 2nd Tenor
Additional vocalists Candy West (soprano) Faith Anderson (soprano) Peaches West (alto) Debette Draper (alto) Michael Bethany (tenor) Deonis Cook (tenor) Myron Butler (tenor)
Musicians Kirk Franklin - Keyboards Shaun Martin - Keyboards, Programming Bobby Sparks - Hammond B-3, Programming Terry Baker - Drums, Percussion Todd Parsnow - Lead Guitar Keith Taylor - Bass Guitar Ernest "Ernie G" Green - DJ Darius Fentress - Percussion Matt Butler - Cello Robert "Sput" Searight - Snare Doc Powell - Lead Guitar Nat Powers - Drums, Programming, Keys Philip Lassiter - Trumpet, Flugelhorn Jeff Coffin - Baritone Saxophone, Flute Trio Nick Marchione - Lead Trumpet Doug DeHays - Baritone Saxophone Brian Clancey - Flute Teddy Riley - Vocoder, Voice-Box
Engineering Rob Chiarelli: Mix Engineer
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2011) Peak positionUK Christian & Gospel Albums (OCC)20
Year-end charts Chart (2011) Position US Billboard 200 70 US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard) 1 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 16 Chart (2012) Position US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard) 11 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 59 Chart (2025) Position US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard) 13
Decade-end charts Chart (2010s)PeakpositionUS Top Gospel Albums (Billboard)9
Certifications
References