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, 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 was delayed three times.
All the songs on the album were written by Franklin except "Anything 4 U" (written by Kirk Franklin, Louis "Buster" Brown III & Scott "Shavoni" Parker), "Jesus Paid It All" (arranged by Franklin), and "When I Think About Jesus".
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)Notes1.Savior More than Life6:44Lead Vocals: Keisha GrandyAcoustic Guitar: Bryan James2.Whatcha Lookin' 44:25Lead Vocals: Darrell Blair, Dalon Collins, Tamela Mann, Kirk Franklin;Background Vocals: God's Property3.Melodies from Heaven4:34All Vocals: Kirk Franklin & The Family4.Conquerors8:24Lead Vocals: Dalon CollinsPercussion Programming: Lawrence Robinson5.Don't Take Your Joy Away6:35Lead Vocals: Tamela Mann6.When I Think About Jesus1:38 7.Mama's Song4:16Lead Vocals: Kirk Franklin8.Jesus Paid It All5:04Lead Vocals: Kirk Franklin, Darrell Blair, Dalon Collins9.I Love You Jesus7:25Lead Vocals: Teresa Young, Stephanie Glynn, Sheila Brice10.Washed Away5:20Lead Vocals: Jeannette Johnson, Carrie Young-Davis11.Where the Spirit Is4:03Lead Vocals: Jon Drummond12.Let Me Touch You5:26Lead Vocals: Dalon Collins13.Anything 4 U5:08Lead Vocals: David Mann, Yolanda McDonald, DemeTrice Clinkscale, Darrell BlairMusic Programming & Synth Drums: Buster & ShavoniRecording 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 .RIAA website
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 Kirk Franklin - Piano & Synths Erick Morgan - Drums Jerome Harmon - Hammond C-3 & Synths Bobby Sparks - Grand Piano, Synths, Hammond Organ, Minimoog, Prophet 5 Jerome Allen - Bass Anthony Thomas - Guitar Charlie Paakkari - Audio Mixing Eric Lewin - Audio Mixing Malcolm Harper - Recording Engineer (tracks 1–12, 14–15) Gordon Garrison - Assistant Recording Engineer (tracks 1–12, 14–15) Eric Lewin - Assistant Recording Engineer (tracks 1–12, 14–15)
Awards
Awards Wins Whatcha Lookin' 4 won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in 1997.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1996) Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1996) Position US Billboard 200 136 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 25
References