Kirk Franklin is defending his decision to work with Kanye after fans blew a gasket over the duo’s collaboration.
In an Instagram post posted shortly after their SNL performance, Franklin wrote, “Kanye is not me. I am not him. He is my brother I am proud to do life with. No sprints, but marathons; like most of us are on.”
Franklin continued by telling fans and those who call themselves Christians that they are sending a dangerous message when they imply that people need to meet certain requirements in order to be accepted and that he’ll be by Kanye’s side no matter what.
“I will not turn my back on my brother. I will love him, prayerfully grow with him. However long he’ll have me, and however long the race takes,” he said.
“To a lot of my Christian family, I’m sorry he’s not good enough, Christian enough, or running at your pace…and as I read some of your comments, neither am I. That won’t stop me from running. Pray we win.”
Franklin is featured on West’s Gospel-tinged single “Ultralight Beams” from his new album, The Life of Pablo. The single also features Kelly Price, Chance the Rapper, The-Dream, and a Gospel choir.
Kanye West Takes Us to Church on SNL, Brings Out a Gospel Choir, Kelly Price, and More