Kirk Franklin and GloRilla are back at it, and this time they’re bringing the gospel, the hip-hop and the energy together for a whole new visual.
The two artists have officially dropped the music video for their latest collaboration, “This Time,” giving fans another look at one of the more unexpected — but familiar — pairings in music right now.
Kirk Franklin released “This Time” featuring GloRilla on September 25, and the track is now getting its official visual treatment.
The collaboration brings Franklin’s choir-driven gospel sound together with GloRilla’s Memphis rap energy, creating a record that sounds completely different from your typical gospel release.
“This Time” is built around a message of pushing through difficult moments, holding onto faith and believing that better days are coming. Franklin leads the record with his signature choir-heavy sound while GloRilla slides in with a verse that brings her personality and street-rooted style into the mix.
GloRilla even refers to herself as a “prayer warrior” during her verse, showing once again that she’s comfortable stepping outside the traditional boundaries of hip-hop.
The record also has some serious hip-hop history behind it.
“This Time” interpolates Mandrill’s 1972 classic “Children Of The Sun,” while the familiar musical elements have also been connected to Shawty Lo’s 2007 hit “Dey Know.” That combination gives the song an old-school feel while Kirk and GloRilla put their own modern spin on it.
For GloRilla, this is also a reunion with Franklin.
The pair previously worked together on “Rain Down On Me,” which appeared on GloRilla’s debut album GLORIOUS alongside Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music. That collaboration went on to win GloRilla the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award at the 2025 BET Awards.
Now they’re running it back with “This Time,” and the timing couldn’t be better for Franklin.
The legendary gospel artist is currently preparing to release his upcoming album I Am What I Am on October 30. The project will be Franklin’s 14th solo album and is expected to feature 14 tracks split between contemporary and traditional gospel sounds.
The album rollout has already been picking up steam. Before “This Time,” Franklin released “Thank You For Everything” featuring gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard. That record has also been making noise at gospel radio, with Franklin performing it at the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards.
But “This Time” feels like a different type of moment.
Franklin is showing that gospel music doesn’t have to stay inside one box, while GloRilla continues proving that her sound can work in spaces far beyond traditional rap.
That’s part of what makes this collaboration stand out.
GloRilla has already shown that she isn’t afraid to bring faith into her music, and her previous work with Franklin helped introduce that side of her artistry to an even wider audience. Now “This Time” gives the two artists another opportunity to connect gospel and hip-hop without either one completely losing what makes their music recognizable.
And judging from the reaction to the new visual, fans are already tapping in.
With Kirk Franklin’s new album arriving later this month, “This Time” could end up being one of the major records setting the tone for this next chapter.
For now, Kirk Franklin and GloRilla are reminding everybody that sometimes you have to go through the storm before you can see the other side.
Watch the official “This Time” video and let us know what y’all think.
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