Gospel music star Kirk Franklin has gone viral after becoming involved in a heated exchange with a street preacher who confronted him and his wife while they were walking through Philadelphia.

The incident happened during the city's annual Gospel on Independence celebration, where Franklin had been performing. Video of the encounter has since spread widely across social media, showing the preacher repeatedly calling on the singer and his wife, Tammy Franklin, to repent while accusing them of living outside the teachings of Christianity.

As the couple walked past, the preacher directed his comments towards them, telling them to turn away from sin and warning them about the consequences if they failed to do so.

At one point, the preacher declared that the pair needed to "repent" or they would "go to hell", continuing to shout as Franklin initially attempted to carry on walking.

Rather than ignoring the remarks entirely, Franklin eventually turned back and approached the preacher, leading to a tense conversation between the two as members of the public watched nearby.

Video from the scene shows Franklin questioning why the preacher believed such an aggressive approach would encourage people to embrace faith. The gospel singer appeared frustrated by the confrontation but continued engaging with the preacher rather than immediately walking away.

Witnesses at the scene said the discussion remained verbal throughout, with no physical altercation taking place before the pair eventually went their separate ways.

Franklin, who has won multiple Grammy Awards during a career spanning more than three decades, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in contemporary gospel music. Known for blending gospel with R&B, hip hop and soul, he has helped introduce the genre to wider audiences through albums including God's Property, The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin and Losing My Religion. Throughout his career, he has also been open about his own personal struggles, often speaking publicly about faith, forgiveness and personal growth.

The confrontation has since divided opinion online.

Some people felt the preacher was right to challenge Franklin publicly because of his position as one of the world's best known gospel artists. Others argued that the manner in which the message was delivered undermined its purpose, saying conversations about faith should be rooted in compassion rather than confrontation.

One person commented:

“Kirk Franklin’s talent and lifestyle are two different things. Just because someone sings gospel music it doesn’t automatically mean their lifestyle reflects Christianity. Many gospel artists preach faith through their songs but don’t always live it. So don’t expect him to be any different.”

Another wrote:

“’You need to repent.’ Okay I hear you, but why are you shouting? You can make your point and speak with love. I honestly don’t see the reason for all the aggression and hostility.”

Another commented:

“Kirk is not a saint, we all know that, but the preacher needs to repent. He wasn’t trying to change Kirk’s heart, he was trying to get on his nerves.”

The exchange has continued to generate discussion far beyond the original video. Whether people agreed with the preacher's message or Franklin's response, many have been left debating whether public confrontation is ever the right way to encourage someone towards faith.