Whatcha Lookin' 4 Explained

Whatcha Lookin' 4
Type:live
Artist:Kirk Franklin & The Family
Cover:Whatcha_Lookin'_4.jpg
Released:April 30, 1996
Recorded:May 1994
Genre:Gospel
Length:1:17:56
Label:GospoCentric Records
Producer:Kirk Franklin
Buster & Shavoni
Prev Title:Kirk Franklin & the Family Christmas
Prev Year:1995
Next Title:God's Property
Next Year:1997

Whatcha Lookin' 4 is an American Gospel music album released on April 30, 1996, by Kirk Franklin & the Family on GospoCentric Records. With sales of 2 million units,[1] it is one of the best-selling gospel albums of all time.

Background

Whatcha Lookin' 4 is the third album released by Kirk Franklin and The Family. It also features backup by God's Property. The U.S. release on GospoCentric Records occurred on . The album was recorded about two years earlier in May 1994 but the release date has been delayed three times[2]

All the songs on the album were written and produced by Franklin except "Anything 4 U" (produced by Buster & Shavoni) and "When I Think About Jesus", (Public domain, arrangement by Franklin).

Kirk Franklin & The Family: Kirk Franklin, Jeannette Johnson, Keisha Grandy, Terri Pace, Stephanie Glynn, Demetrice "De" Clinkscale, Dalon Collins, David Mann, Darrell Blair, Byron Cole, Jon "J.D." Drummond, Yolanda McDonald, Sheila "Mother" Brice, Tamela Mann, Theresa Young, Carrie "Mousey" Young Davis

Track listing

TitleTimeVocalist(s)Notes
1.Savior More than Life6:44Lead Vocals: Keisha GrandyAcoustic Guitar: Bryan James
2.Whatcha Lookin' 44:25Lead Vocals: Darrell Blair, Dalon Collins, Tamela Mann, Kirk Franklin;
Background Vocals: God's Property
3.Melodies from Heaven4:34All Vocals: Kirk Franklin & The Family
4.Conquerors8:24Lead Vocals: Dalon CollinsPercussion Programming: Lawrence Robinson
5.Don't Take Your Joy Away6:35Lead Vocals: Tamela Mann
6.When I Think About Jesus1:38
7.Mama's Song4:16Lead Vocals: Kirk Franklin
8.Jesus Paid it All5:04Lead Vocals: Kirk Franklin, Darrell Blair, Dalon Collins
9.I Love You Jesus7:25Lead Vocals: Teresa Young, Stephanie Glynn, Sheila Brice
10.Washed Away5:20Lead Vocals: Jeannette Johnson, Carrie Young-Davis
11.Where the Spirit Is4:03Lead Vocals: Jon Drummond
12.Let Me Touch You5:26Lead Vocals: Dalon Collins
13.Anything 4 U5:08Lead Vocals: David Mann, Yolanda McDonald, DemeTrice Clinkscale, Darrell BlairMusic Programming & Synth Drums: Buster & Shavoni
Recording Engineers: Bob Tucker (Basic Tracks); Louis "Buster" Brown (Overdubs)
14.Whatcha Lookin' 4 (remix)4:36Lead Vocals: Kirk Franklin, Dalon Collins, David Mann, Tamela MannTrumpet: Lawrence Robinson
Mixed by Craig Burbridge, Dalon Collins, Tamela Mann, David Mann, Chris Simpson,
15.Melodies from Heaven (skate remix)4:18Lead Vocals: Kirk Franklin Mixed by Craig Burbridge

Certifications and Chart success

The album was certified Gold on and Platinum on .[3]

Whatcha Lookin' 4 was #1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums Chart and Top Contemporary Christian Chart in 1996. That same year the album reached #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart and #23 on the Billboard 200 Chart.

Personnel

Awards

Awards Wins

Whatcha Lookin' 4 won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in 1997.

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1996)Position
US Billboard 200[4] 136
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[5] 25

Notes and References

  1. News: Gospel singer overcame obstacles. The Tuscaloosa News. Mark Hughes. Cobb. January 23, 2024 .
  2. Book: Billboard . 1995-05-27 . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . en.
  3. https://www.riaa.com RIAA website
  4. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1996. Billboard. June 8, 2021. January 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150123035756/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/the-billboard-200. live.
  5. 1996 The Year in Music. Billboard. 108. 52. YE-39. December 28, 1996. June 8, 2021.