RCA Records announced today that it has entered a long-term label deal with Gospel music icon Kirk Franklin to establish “Fo Yo Soul Recordings,” an inspirational music label which will showcase some of the genre’s most talented emerging artists and established performers. Under the agreement, Mr. Franklin and the Fo Yo Soul Recordings team will sign and develop emerging inspirational music talent, while RCA Records will provide the marketing, promotion and distribution muscle for Fo Yo Soul artists. In addition, Mr. Franklin’s future recorded output will be released on the Fo Yo Soul Recordings label. “We are thrilled to be Kirk’s partner. He is a one of a kind artist and music executive who brings his unique insight to inspirational music. We look forward to welcoming the new talent he will bring to the roster,” states Tom Corson, President & COO RCA Records.
“I’ve been blessed to be with RCA Records as an artist, so I know firsthand that the team that Tom and Peter have assembled are among the most creative and hardworking in the music business,” said Mr. Franklin. “Expanding our business relationship in a way that empowers my team to identify and develop great new artists is really a dream come true for me. We’ve already been hard at work and I am very excited to be able introduce the world to some amazing new talents in the coming months.” The first release under the new deal will be the debut album from the Gospel vocal quartet, The Walls Group, four siblings from a family of 10 who have been immersed in inspirational music since birth. Continuing in the tradition of such groups as the Jackson 5 and The Clark Sisters, the four young Walls’ siblings, while firmly anchored in Gospel tradition, bring a freshness and hip factor which is sorely missing in the genre today.
