When people hear the name Aretha Franklin, they think of powerful music, amazing talent, and the “Queen of Soul.” But behind this famous singer was a family, including her youngest son, Kecalf Cunningham. While many know him as Aretha’s son, Kecalf has his own story to tell. He followed his love for music but chose a different path from his mother. Today, he makes Christian rap music and lives a quiet life with his family.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Kecalf Cunningham |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 28, 1970 |
| Age | 54 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Parents | Aretha Franklin (Mother), Ken Cunningham (Father) |
| Profession | Christian Rapper, Gospel Singer, Songwriter |
| Stage Name | Kpoint |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Wife | Kafi Franklin |
| Children | Six children (Five daughters, one son) |
| Famous For | Being Aretha Franklin’s youngest son and his gospel music |
The Early Life of Kecalf Cunningham
Kecalf Cunningham was born on March 28, 1970, in Detroit, Michigan. His name is very special because it comes from both his parents. “KEC” stands for Ken E. Cunningham, his father’s name. “ALF” stands for Aretha L. Franklin, his mother’s name. This unique name shows how important both parents were in his life.
Growing up, Kecalf lived in a home filled with music. His mother was already a famous singer when he was born. She traveled around the world performing concerts and winning awards. Even though his childhood was different from other kids, his family tried to keep his life as normal as possible. They protected him from too much attention and helped him grow up with strong values.
Kecalf’s father, Ken Cunningham, worked as Aretha Franklin’s road manager from 1968 to 1976. Ken was known as a serious person who loved art, books, and all kinds of music. According to family members, Ken helped Aretha during a difficult time in her life and supported her in positive ways. Although Ken and Aretha never got married, they raised Kecalf together with love and care.
Growing Up in a Famous Family
Kecalf is the youngest of Aretha Franklin’s four sons. His three older brothers are Clarence Franklin (born in 1955), Edward Franklin (born in 1957), and Ted White Jr., also called Teddy Richards (born in 1964). Each brother had a different father and followed different paths in life.
Living in such a famous family had good and bad sides. On one hand, Kecalf got to see the music world up close. He attended concerts, met famous musicians, and learned about the music business. On the other hand, it was sometimes hard to live in his mother’s shadow. People always compared him to Aretha Franklin instead of seeing him as his own person.
Despite these challenges, Kecalf learned important lessons from his mother. She taught him about hard work, faith, and staying true to yourself. These lessons helped shape who he became as an adult.
Starting His Music Journey
Unlike many celebrity children who stay away from their parents’ careers, Kecalf decided to follow music. However, he chose to make Christian rap and gospel music instead of soul music like his mother. His stage name is “Kpoint,” and his songs focus on faith, hope, and religious messages.
Kecalf’s music career really started in 2008. That year, he joined his mother at a big concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Performing with the Queen of Soul was a special moment that gave him confidence. After that experience, he knew music was his true calling.
In 2017, Kecalf performed with his mother again during a ceremony in Detroit. The city honored Aretha Franklin by naming a street “Aretha Franklin Way.” These performances together showed the strong bond between mother and son.
Kecalf has released music albums, including ones called “Glow” and “Kecalf Cunningham.” His songs are different from mainstream hip-hop because they tell stories from the Bible and share gospel messages. Many people who listen to his music say it touches their hearts and gives them hope.
His Personal Life and Family
Kecalf Cunningham is married to a woman named Kafi Franklin. The couple likes to keep their personal life private and doesn’t share much about their relationship in public. This is one reason why many people don’t know much about Kafi.
Together, Kecalf and Kafi have six children—five daughters and one son. Three of their children are well known to the public: Victorie, Jordan, and Grace Franklin.
Victorie Franklin, born on April 19, 1999, is their oldest daughter. She graduated from Howard University and is now a singer and songwriter like her father and grandmother. Victorie has performed at many events and shares her music online. She was very close to her grandmother Aretha and often posts memories of her.
Jordan Franklin, their only son, was born in October 1994. He works as a music producer and has released his own songs. Jordan also had a special relationship with his grandmother. When she passed away, he wrote emotional tributes about how much she meant to him.
Grace Franklin is the youngest daughter who is known publicly. She loves singing and even auditioned for the TV show “American Idol” when she was a teenager. During her audition, Grace sang songs including one made famous by her grandmother. Although she didn’t make it past the audition round, she showed great talent and courage.
Kecalf and Kafi have chosen not to share information about their other three children, wanting to give them privacy and normal lives.
Life After Aretha Franklin’s Death
Aretha Franklin died on August 16, 2018, at age 76. She had been fighting pancreatic cancer for a long time. Her death was a huge loss not just for her family but for the whole world. Millions of people mourned the passing of the Queen of Soul.
For Kecalf, losing his mother was extremely painful. He shared his grief on social media and continues to post tributes to her, especially on Mother’s Day and her birthday. These posts show how much he loved and misses his mother.
After Aretha’s death, the family faced legal problems about her will. Aretha never created a formal, typed will. Instead, the family found two handwritten documents—one from 2010 and another from 2014. These papers had different instructions about how to divide Aretha’s money and property.
The 2014 will, which was found under couch cushions, said that Kecalf should inherit Aretha’s main house in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. This house was worth about 1.1 million dollars. The 2010 will had different conditions and didn’t give Kecalf the house.
In July 2023, a jury decided that the 2014 will was the real one. Kecalf was very happy and emotional about this decision. He said he just wanted his mother’s wishes to be followed. The legal battle lasted five years and was stressful for the whole family.
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Kecalf’s Struggles and Challenges
Life hasn’t always been easy for Kecalf. Two months after his mother died, he was arrested in October 2018 for drinking and driving. He appeared in court and pleaded guilty. As punishment, he was sentenced to 93 days in jail.
This difficult time happened when Kecalf was still grieving his mother’s death. Many people believe the pain of losing Aretha affected his judgment. However, Kecalf served his time and learned from this mistake.
The Franklin family also faced money troubles with the government. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) claimed that Aretha owed more than 6 million dollars in back taxes. The family has been working to solve this problem.
Despite these challenges, Kecalf has stayed strong and focused on his family and music.
Protecting His Mother’s Legacy
Kecalf cares deeply about how people remember his mother. He has spoken out when he feels that movies or TV shows about Aretha Franklin are not respectful or accurate.
In 2021, a movie called “Respect” came out about Aretha Franklin’s life. Kecalf criticized the filmmakers because they didn’t talk to Aretha’s sons or grandchildren before making the movie. He wrote online asking how someone could make a film about his mother without speaking to her family about important details.
Similarly, when National Geographic made a series called “Genius: Aretha,” Kecalf and his family said they didn’t support it. He posted that the project was pushed through without the family’s permission. He asked true fans not to watch it.
These actions show that Kecalf wants his mother’s story told correctly and with respect from people who truly knew her.
Where Is Kecalf Cunningham Today?
Today, Kecalf Cunningham lives in the Detroit area, the same city where he grew up. He continues to make Christian rap music and perform at gospel events and church services. While he’s not as famous as his mother, he has built respect in the gospel music community.
Kecalf stays focused on his faith, which is the center of his life and music. He believes that God has given him talents, and he wants to use them to help others and spread positive messages.
He also spends time with his large family. Watching his children grow and develop their own musical talents brings him joy. The Franklin family tradition of music continues through the next generation.
Kecalf’s net worth is estimated to be between 2 million and 22 million dollars (different sources give different numbers). His money comes from his music career and inheritance from his mother’s estate.
The Meaning Behind His Music
What makes Kecalf’s music special is its message. While many rappers talk about money, fame, or street life, Kecalf raps about faith, the Bible, and Christian values. His songs tell stories of hope, forgiveness, and God’s love.
This type of music is called gospel rap or Christian hip-hop. It combines modern rap beats with religious lyrics. For people who love hip-hop but want positive, faith-based messages, Kecalf’s music offers something different.
His mother’s influence appears in his work, even though their styles are different. Aretha Franklin was known for singing gospel music early in her career before becoming a soul music legend. In some ways, Kecalf returned to those gospel roots that were important to the Franklin family.
Lessons from Kecalf’s Life
Kecalf Cunningham’s story teaches us several important lessons. First, it shows that being born into a famous family doesn’t make life easy. In fact, it can create extra pressure and challenges. Kecalf had to work hard to find his own identity separate from his mother’s huge fame.
Second, his story shows the importance of faith and family. Despite facing legal battles, personal mistakes, and public attention, Kecalf has relied on his Christian faith and family support to get through difficult times.
Third, Kecalf’s life reminds us that everyone has their own path. He could have tried to copy his mother’s soul music style, but instead, he chose Christian rap—something that felt true to him. This choice shows courage and honesty.
Finally, his dedication to protecting his mother’s memory shows deep love and respect. Even though Aretha is gone, Kecalf works to make sure people remember her correctly and honor her legacy.
Final Thoughts
Kecalf Cunningham may always be known as Aretha Franklin’s youngest son, but he is much more than that. He is a husband, father, Christian rapper, and a man who has faced both success and struggle with faith and strength. His journey shows that even people born into famous families must work to find their own way in life.
Through his gospel music, Kecalf continues to share messages of hope and faith with the world. He honors his mother’s memory while creating his own legacy for his children and future generations. The Franklin family’s musical tradition lives on through Kecalf and his talented children, proving that great music and strong values can pass from one generation to the next.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does the name “Kecalf” mean?
Kecalf’s name is made from his parents’ names. “KEC” comes from his father Ken E. Cunningham, and “ALF” comes from his mother Aretha L. Franklin. This special name connects him to both parents.
2. How many children does Kecalf Cunningham have?
Kecalf has six children with his wife Kafi Franklin—five daughters and one son. The three publicly known children are Victorie, Jordan, and Grace Franklin, who are all involved in music.
3. What kind of music does Kecalf make?
Kecalf creates Christian rap and gospel music. He performs under the stage name “Kpoint” and his songs focus on faith, Bible stories, and religious messages.
4. Did Kecalf inherit anything from Aretha Franklin?
Yes. According to a 2014 handwritten will that was confirmed by a jury in 2023, Kecalf inherited Aretha Franklin’s mansion in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He also shares in the income from his mother’s music copyrights.
5. Is Kecalf Cunningham close to his siblings?
Kecalf has three older half-brothers: Clarence, Edward, and Teddy. While they grew up together, they each followed different paths in life. The family has stayed connected, especially after dealing with legal matters related to their mother’s estate.
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