The Controversy Behind Zimbabwean Artists Pulling Out Of The Maverick City and Kirk Franklin Concert

Zimbabwean gospel artists are pulling out en masse from the Maverick City and Kirk Franklin show, which is set to take place next month.

The Kingdom Tour
Kirk Franklin and the Jireh hitmakers were set to rock fans at the Glamis Arena in Harare on 12 August alongside an array of Zimbabwean gospel artists. Supporting the American acts were Takesure Zamar Ncube, Annatoria, Tembalami, Joyful Praise Choir and The Unveiled.

Tickets for the show have been selling fast for the past months, so much so that the first batch sold out, and the organisers had to raise the prices for the following batch. However, it seems the show has been hit by terrible PR.

This week, Annatoria announced that she would no longer be part of the Kingdom Tour. Takesure Zamar Ncube also confirmed he will no longer be participating “due to unforeseen circumstances”. As of 11 June, Tembalami and The Unveiled have also pulled out, putting the show in jeopardy.

On 30 June, Chandler Moore of Maverick City performed at the BET Awards, widely considered too secular by the Christian community.

Chandler performed an inspirational song with Will Smith. However, what caught people’s attention was the stage set. Smith was in a put surrounded by fire to symbolise hell while Chandler and a choir were metres above. There was an uproar in the comments as some said this was not Christian-like.

Days ago, one American lady who runs the page Master’s Voice Prophecy Blog warned Southern Africans from attending Maverick City and Kirk Franklin Tour, alleging “rituals” will be performed there.

People also revived a 2022 BET Cypher video of Kirk Franklin in which he rapped:

“The Lion and the Lamb will bow down to the G.O.A.T.”

Some considered this blasphemous, as Jesus Christ is referred to as the Lamb and the goat is associated with the Devil in Christian doctrine.