Kenny Franklin

Kenneth E. Franklin (born November 24, 1962 in Hammond, Louisiana,) is a world renowned Bass Guitarist, producer, composer, songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist.

Kenny is perhaps best known as the Bass FunkMaster for multi-platinum rap artist MC Hammer in the late 80's and early 90's. He embarked upon the 1990s Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em Tour, which included the smash single "U Can't Touch This", which sampled Rick James' 1981 hit "Super Freak". The album went on to become the first hip-hop album to reach diamond status, selling more than 10 million units. He also was a part of the Too Legit to Quit tour. This tour took him throughout the US, the UK, Australia, and Japan.

Biography

Formative years

As a young child Kenny's MusicAL interest was peaked by his Father Ralph Franklin Jr's participation in the Bay Area Gospel music scene. Ralph played Bass guitar for the regional standout Gospel group The Truetones and sang lead the Bay Area Gospel hit "Born Again. At the age of 14 his Father bought him his first drum set. Kenny went on to form a neighborhood band with his brothers where they would have daily jam sessions up in the Franklin attic. Homies from the neighborhood brought saxaphones, trumpets, clarinets, flutes, keyboards, percussions, guitars, and of course a bass guitar to the house. Although Kenny was the funkiest drummer in the neighborhood, it was like magic once he picked up the bass guitar. It didn't take long before he asked his Fathers permission to trade INSTRUMENTS with Brian Parker. Although a physically gifted athlete he left his brothers on the basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and football fields to pursue his passion of mastering the bass guitar. Kenny grew up in San Mateo, CA with his parents Ralph & Grace and siblings Carol, Ronald, Cedrick, and Ralph III.

Professional career

At the age of 16 Kenny joined his first semi-professional band, Eternal Funk. The band was based out of East Palo Alto, CA. Keith Jones was the band leader and quite a talented musician in his own right. Eternal Funk spent weekends performing at various venues in the Bay Area building a name as an up and coming funk band. At this point Kenny was only interested in playing his bass and staying in the background. After performing with the group for a while Kenny found himself playing synthesizer, learning lead guitar, and singing background vocals. They opened for and performed with local bands such as Veda featuring Smokey T (Tony Glover), Frankie Freeze(Kiley Kinnon) and others. They also opened for world know artist Evelyn "Champagne" King and the GodFather of Soul James Brown. The band featured an outstanding lead female vocalist by the name of Natalie Williams whom could hold her own on any stage covering artists such as; Minnie Ripperton, Chaka Khan, Teena Marie, and Angela Bofill.

By the early 80's Kenny was plucked from Eternal Funk to be a part of another up and coming Bay Area Sensational Band All N All. The band became a regular at local San Mateo hotspot Orphan Annies nigtclub. The band featured lead vocalist Cornell "CC" Carter, currently of ryzetheband.com.This band quickly became the next Bay Area band tagged to make its mark worldwide with band members:

Eddie M. (Eddie Minnifield lead vocalist & saxaphonist) He has recorded and performed with Prince & the Revolution, Sheila E, Jill Jones, Beyoncé, Paula Abdul, Stevie Nicks and many others. Eddie M's solo releases include 1997's Hold Me, 1998's Ward Street, and 2001's Eddie M. which features guest appearances by Eric Benet and Karyn White.

William Minnifield (lead & background vocalist, musician).

John Paris (Drummer & background vocalist). He has played for Sheila E, Patti La Belle, Karyn White, The Dazz Band, and Eric Benet. He currently is a member of Earth Wind & Fire since 2002.

Karyn White (lead & background vocalist) Karyn is a Grammy Award-nominated Pop/R&B singer who became popular during the late 1980s.

Bobby G. (lead guitarits & vocalist) Bobby went on to play with Karyn White, Earth Wind & Fire.

Kenny Franklin (Bassist, Bass synthesizer & background vocals) Kenny went on to perform with Robert Brookins, Stephanie Mills, Karyn White, Jesse Johnsons Revue, Special Generation, and MC Hammer amongst others.

Kenny's style was influenced by such artists as Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, Larry Graham, Bootsy Collins. As a producer Kenny has written, composed, and produced over 1,000 songs. In the early ages of the rap era he worked with many Bay Area artist.

Discography

Notable live television performances:
The Grammys
The American Music Awards
The Soul Train Music Awards
The Arsenio Hall Show
Showtime At The Appollo
Saturday Night Live

Recordings:
Sittin On A Cloud—Antsy A, Kenny Frankiln, Cedrick Franklin, Bro
My Mercedes Benz—Antsy A
Mob Figures—Antsy A
Movie Star—Ansty A
Can't Stop Rappin—Antsy A
Matio Theme Song—Ceddie Ced
On The Good Foot—DJ Zee
Everything Is Allright—Cedrick Franklin
Treat You Right Gurl—Franklin 4
Just Say No—Corliss Holly
Never Too Much—Corliss Holly featuring Geshar
All My Love—Cherisse Franklin
Bring Down The House—Frankie Freeze, We Are Eternal Funk-Eternal Funk