Net Worth Ranker
What Is Kim Burrell’s Net Worth?
Kim Burrell, an accomplished American gospel singer, pianist, and pastor, has amassed a net worth estimated at $5 million. This wealth is primarily attributed to her successful career in the gospel music industry, spanning several decades and encompassing various revenue streams.
Early Career and Musical Achievements
Kim Burrell’s journey in music commenced at a tender age, with her first vocal solo performed at the age of one in a church choir. Her formal career began with affiliations with renowned gospel choirs such as Rev. James Cleveland’s Gospel Music Workshop Choir, Trinity Temple Full Gospel Mass Choir of Dallas, and the Inspirational Sounds Mass Choir of Houston. Her distinctive musical style, which she describes as “jazz gospel,” is characterized by her original compositions, a rarity in the gospel music realm. This has set her apart and contributed to her recognition and financial success.
Burrell’s discography includes several albums, each contributing to her overall income. These albums include:
- “Try Me Again” (1995): Released independently, this album marked the beginning of her professional recording career. While specific sales figures from this early release are not publicly available, it paved the way for subsequent record deals.
- “Everlasting Life” (1998): This album reached number 10 on the Billboard Gospel Charts, signaling a significant breakthrough in her career. Details on the exact sales and royalties generated from this album are not publicly disclosed, but its chart performance indicates a substantial contribution to her income.
- “Live In Concert” (2001): This album earned Burrell her first Grammy nomination, further elevating her profile. The live recording format suggests potential revenue from concert performances and associated merchandise sales.
- “No Ways Tired” (2009): Released after a hiatus, this album marked her return to the studio and likely generated income through album sales and potential touring opportunities.
- “The Love Album” (2011): This album garnered significant recognition, including a Grammy nomination and multiple Stella Awards. Award wins not only enhance an artist’s reputation but also potentially increase their earning potential through increased album sales and performance fees.
- “A Different Place” (2015): This album further solidified her standing in the gospel music scene. Though detailed financial figures are unavailable, the continued release of albums contributes to her overall net worth.
Kim Burrell’s income is also derived from guest appearances and collaborations. Her guest appearance on R. Kelly’s “3-Way Phone Call” in 2004 and her collaboration with George Clinton on his 2008 album “George Clinton and Some Gangsters of Love” brought her exposure to wider audiences and contributed to her earnings. While the specific financial terms of these collaborations are not public, guest appearances and collaborations typically involve performance fees and royalties.
Beyond album sales and collaborations, Burrell’s income is boosted from live performances. Burrell has shared the stage with gospel artists Shirley Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, and Marvin Winans, as well as secular artists Missy Elliot, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and Harry Connick, Jr. Performance fees for live shows can vary widely depending on the venue, audience size, and the artist’s popularity. Given Burrell’s established presence in the gospel music industry, her performance fees likely contribute a significant portion to her overall income.
Additional Ventures and Recognition
In 2016, Burrell collaborated with Pharrell Williams on the song “I See a Victory,” which was featured on the soundtrack for the film “Hidden Figures.” This collaboration resulted in an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song. Awards enhance an artist’s profile and can lead to increased opportunities for performances, endorsements, and other income-generating activities. While the specific financial benefits of this award are not publicly documented, recognition within the industry can have a long-term positive impact on an artist’s career and financial standing.
Burrell has been nominated for three Grammy Awards: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album for “Live In Concert” (2002), Best Gospel Performance for “I Understand” (2009), and Best Gospel Album for “The Love Album” (2012). She won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song – Traditional for “I See a Victory” (shared with Pharrell Williams) in 2017, and the previous year she was nominated for Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary) for “A Different Place.” Kim won Stella Awards for Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year for “Everlasting Life” (2000) and “The Love Album” (2012), and “The Love Album” also earned her the Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year award. In 2000, she was named Female Vocalist of the Year – Contemporary for “Everlasting Life” at the Gospel Music Excellence Awards, and in 2002, she received a “Soul Train” Award nomination for Best Gospel Album for “Live in Concert.” In 2012, Burrell won a Dove Award for Urban Recorded Song of the Year for “Sweeter.” These awards and nominations signify industry recognition and contribute to her income through increased visibility and opportunities.
Burrell has also made appearances in television specials, including the 2003 Harry Connick, Jr. special “Harry for the Holidays,” the 2018 TV documentary “Whitney Houston: Close Up,” and the 2023 UPtv special “I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston.” Appearances in television shows can lead to performance fees and increase an artist’s visibility, further contributing to their income.
Controversies and Impact on Career
In late 2016, a video surfaced of a sermon Kim Burrell delivered at the Love & Liberty Fellowship Church, where she made controversial statements regarding the LGBTQ community. The fallout from this incident included the cancellation of her planned appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” her removal as an honoree from the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music event, and the cancellation of her radio program, “Bridging the Gap with Kim Burrell,” by Texas Southern University. Such controversies can negatively impact an artist’s career and financial standing, potentially leading to a decline in performance opportunities, endorsements, and other sources of income.
