Gospel Singer Kirk Franklin Apologizes For Threatening To Break Son's Neck

Gospel singer Kirk Franklin issued an apology Monday after audio surfaced of his threatening his son and shouting expletives at him. Franklin says that his relationship with his 32-year-old son has been “toxic” for years, explaining that he makes mistakes but is trying to improve their dynamic with the help of therapy.

The inciting recording was posted on March 13 by Kerrion Franklin, who wants people to stop telling him to reconcile with his family.

"This is why I’m done. No father should speak to their children like this. If I have any issues it’s because of this type of treatment that I deal with behind closed doors,” he wrote. “Hanging up in my face, no apology, no compassion, no effort. Stop telling me to go home to my family.”

Franklin’s tweet came the same day. He said that while the audio cut out his efforts to include a family therapist in the call, he still takes responsibility for his speech.

“I felt extremely disrespected in that conversation, and I lost my temper. I said words that are not appropriate, and I’m sincerely sorry to all of you,” he said. “I’m not perfect. I’m human, and I’m going to make mistakes and I’m trying to make it right.”

The response on social media has been largely supportive of the elder Franklin, with many saying that family matters aren’t the public’s business. No small number of fans said that Franklin’s language actually improved their estimation of the man, showing a side previously kept private.

All in all, Franklin seems to have gotten through the incident more or less unscathed.

Franklin has won multiple Grammy awards for his music and is one of the wealthiest gospel singers in the world.