May 31st 2020, the day a shift in the atmosphere happened.
Verzuz TV , the musical company that brought us Jagged Edge VS 112, Erykah Badu VS Jill Scott and Teddy Riley VS Babyface have done it again. This time they brought two global gospel icons. THEE Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond. Growing up in a Christian household or around Christians you would be sure to have heard the smooth vocals of both artists.
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This Verzuz between 16-time Grammy-award winner Kirk Franklin and gospel super producer Fred Hammond was a celebration .
Musicians, Swiss Beats and Timbaland who started the Verzuz TV brand during the Coronavirus pandemic as a way of bringing hope and entertainment to these trying times , tweeted on the Verzuz Twitter page : @VerzuzTV : Join @KirkFranklin, @RealFredHammond, and @BishopJakes for this Sunday’s special edition of #VERZUZ – THE HEALING 🙏🏽 Everyone needs a hug 🙏🏽 this one will be special 🙏🏽
With the world going through pain it was just what was needed to reign in the new month. The live started with powerful opening words from Bishop TD Jakes before both artists came to the screen wearing t-shirts with the words ‘I CAN’T BREATHE’, words heard by many over the week from the late George Floyd , an African American man murdered in Police Custody over the week. During the live they also had a phone call from Wanda Cooper-Jones mother of Ahmaud Arbery , an unarmed black man who was chased down by a white father and son in February. Wanda sent out a positive message to all 270 thousand viewers before thanking them for the prayers and support received.
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Both artists played 21 of their best songs, with live interludes from fellow gospel artists Tamela Mann and Marvin Sapp.
The live was the global and digital gospel concert we all needed in this time. It was the digital hug needed to keep on going .
