Net Worth Ranker
What Is Kim Burrell’s Net Worth?
Kim Burrell, a prominent figure in American gospel music, has accumulated a net worth of $5 million. This financial standing is primarily attributed to her multifaceted career as a gospel singer, pianist, songwriter, and pastor. Burrell’s unique musical style, which she terms “jazz gospel,” sets her apart in the gospel music arena, largely due to her original songwriting. Her income streams are diversified, including record sales, live performances, songwriting royalties, and potentially earnings from her pastoral work.
Early Career and Musical Beginnings
Born Kimberly Jean Burrell on August 26, 1972, in Houston, Texas, Kim Burrell’s musical journey began in her early childhood. She is the daughter of pastor Julius Burrell Jr. and evangelist singer Helen Ruth Graham, and grew up with three siblings. Helen sang with The Church of God in Christ, a Holiness–Pentecostal Christian denomination. Performing her first vocal solo with a church choir at the tender age of one, Burrell’s formal career took root in the Rev. James Cleveland’s Gospel Music Workshop Choir. During her youth, Burrell performed with the GMWA Youth Mass Choir, which was also known as Rev. James Cleveland’s Kids. Cleveland won four Grammys and was nicknamed the “King of Gospel”. She further honed her skills with the Trinity Temple Full Gospel Mass Choir of Dallas and the Inspirational Sounds Mass Choir of Houston. Her early work laid a solid foundation for her subsequent solo career and collaborations.
Key Albums and Collaborations
Kim Burrell’s discography includes several albums that have contributed significantly to her net worth. Her independent debut, “Try Me Again,” released in 1995 on Pearl Records, paved the way for a recording contract with Tommy Boy Gospel. Her album “Everlasting Life,” released in 1998, reached number 10 on the Billboard Gospel Charts. This success was followed by “Live In Concert” in 2001, which garnered her a Grammy nomination, further boosting her profile and income.
After Tommy Boy Gospel closed down, Burrell signed with Elektra Records. During this time, she contributed to Missy Elliott’s album “Miss E… So Addictive” in 2001 with the bonus track “Higher Ground.” In 2004, she was featured on R. Kelly’s “3-Way Phone Call,” and in 2008, she collaborated with George Clinton on his album “George Clinton and Some Gangsters of Love.” Her 2009 album, “No Ways Tired,” marked her return to studio albums after a decade. Subsequently, she released “The Love Album” in 2011 and “A Different Place” in 2015. It is difficult to definitively attribute a specific monetary value to each of these albums, without access to detailed sales figures and royalty agreements.
Her collaboration with Pharrell Williams on “I See a Victory” for the 2016 film “Hidden Figures” is another notable achievement. Additionally, Burrell has worked with numerous artists across genres, including the Tri-City Singers, Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Choir, Kirk Whalum, Shirley Caesar, Harry Connick, Jr., Stevie Wonder, Frank Ocean, Jay Z, and Snoop Dogg. These collaborations expose her music to a wider audience and contribute to her overall earnings through royalties and performance fees. For instance, her work with Harry Connick, Jr. on multiple Christmas-themed songs and her contributions to Stevie Wonder’s “If Your Love Cannot Be Moved” likely generated substantial income from sales and airplay.
Earnings from Live Performances and Touring
Live performances are an integral part of Kim Burrell’s revenue stream. While precise figures for her concert earnings are not publicly available, gospel artists of her stature can command significant fees for appearances at churches, gospel festivals, and other events. For instance, a major gospel festival appearance could potentially yield tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the scale of the event and Burrell’s prominence on the lineup.
Kim Burrell’s touring schedule also plays a crucial role in her financial portfolio. Although detailed financial breakdowns are not accessible, regular touring, both domestically and internationally, would generate considerable income from ticket sales, merchandise, and potential sponsorships. Gospel music tours can range from small, intimate church settings to large concert halls, each offering varying levels of financial return. The frequency and scale of these tours would significantly influence her annual income from live performances.
Controversies and Their Impact
In late 2016, a video surfaced featuring Kim Burrell delivering a sermon at the Love & Liberty Fellowship Church in which she made controversial remarks about the LGBTQ community. This incident led to significant professional repercussions. Her planned appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” was canceled, the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music event rescinded her honoree status, and Texas Southern University terminated her radio program, “Bridging the Gap with Kim Burrell.”
These controversies undoubtedly had a short-term financial impact, with canceled appearances and endorsements potentially costing her tens of thousands of dollars. However, it’s challenging to quantify the long-term financial implications. While some opportunities may have been lost, Burrell continued to perform and record music, suggesting that her career, while affected, was not irreparably damaged. The extent of the impact would depend on the duration and intensity of any boycott or negative publicity, as well as her ability to regain public trust and secure future engagements.
Awards and Recognition
Kim Burrell’s accolades include three Grammy nominations: 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. These awards and nominations not only recognize her artistic achievements but also enhance her marketability and earning potential, influencing her ability to command higher fees for performances and recordings.
Burrell has also received multiple Stella Awards, including Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year for “Everlasting Life” (2000) and “The Love Album” (2012). “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. These accolades enhance her credibility and appeal within the gospel music community, which can translate into increased opportunities and financial gains.
Real Estate and Personal Assets
Information regarding Kim Burrell’s specific real estate holdings and other personal assets is not publicly available. Like many high-profile individuals, she likely maintains a degree of privacy regarding her investments and property ownership. It is reasonable to assume that a portion of her $5 million net worth is invested in real estate, stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments. However, without access to financial records or public disclosures, it is impossible to provide a detailed breakdown of her asset allocation.
Kim Burrell’s Net Worth: Conclusion
In summary, Kim Burrell’s estimated $5 million net worth reflects her successful and enduring career in gospel music. Her income is derived from a combination of album sales, live performances, songwriting royalties, collaborations with other artists, and potentially earnings from her pastoral work. While controversies have presented challenges, Burrell’s talent and resilience have allowed her to maintain a prominent position in the gospel music industry. The precise details of her financial holdings remain private, but her career achievements provide a clear indication of her financial success.
