Kecalf Cunningham is an American gospel songwriter, singer, and rapper. However, he is most famous as the youngest son of Aretha Franklin, one of the most influential artists of the 1960s. Widely known as the “Queen of Soul,” Franklin released several evergreen albums and won numerous accolades, including 18 Grammy Awards. Sadly, the soulful singer died of pancreatic cancer at 76 in Detroit, Michigan, in August 2018.
However, like most celebrity kids, Cunningham rode on his mother’s wave to fame. Since he developed a passion for music at a young age, he shared the stage with his mother several times before her death. One of the memorable performances the mother-son duo had was at the Radio City Music Hall in 2008.
However, despite being the son of a renowned music legend and a celebrity in his own right, Cunningham leads a low-key life. Although his career as a gospel rapper puts him in the spotlight, Aretha Franklin’s son keeps his life private. Here’s everything we know about him.
How Old Is Kecalf Cunningham, Aretha Franklin’s Son?
Kecalf Cunningham is 53 years old. The famous rapper was born in the United States of America to Aretha Franklin and Ken Cunningham. While some reports suggest he was born on March 28, 1970, others claim he was born in April 1970. Due to his cagey lifestyle, his exact date of birth remains unknown.
However, he holds American nationality and belongs to the Afro-American ethnicity. In addition, he has a uniquely derived name, combining his parent’s initials, Ken E. Cunningham (KEC) and Aretha L. Franklin (ALF), to form Kencalf.
Despite being the son of a multi-award-winning singer, there is not much information about the gospel rapper’s formative years. Consequently, details about his educational background and achievements elude the media. However, he came into the limelight after his mother featured him on stage during her performances, making his music career grow fast.
Who Is Kecalf Cunningham’s Dad?
Kecalf Cunningham’s father was Ken Cunningham. He was Aretha Franklin’s road manager. Although they never married, the former couple dated between 1968 and 1976 and welcomed a child.
When Did Kecalf Cunningham Start His Career?
In 1995, in an interview with The Katz Tapes, Franklin opened up about her youngest son’s love for music. She said, “Kecalf is a hip-hopper and a rapper.” Although there are no details regarding when Kecalf Cunningham started his professional music career, his fame skyrocketed after accompanying his mother to a Radio City Hall concert in 2008.
While his performance at the concert got negative comments, it didn’t stop Franklin’s son from pursuing his passion. It was only a matter of time before he discovered his niche and followed his mother’s path. In 2017, he went on stage with his mother during the unveiling ceremony of Aretha Franklin’s Way, a street named in the legendary singer’s honor.
Aside from his stage performances, Cunningham has written various songs, paying tribute to his mom and others describing bible stories. In addition, he has several cover songs with his daughter, Victorie. Some of Kecalf Cunningham’s songs include “Chain of Fools,” a cover he sang with his mother.
How Many Children Does Aretha Franklin Have?
The legendary singer has four children with different men. Hence, Kecalf Cunningham has three half-siblings. First is Clarence Franklin, Cunningham’s older half-brother. Clarence was born in 1955. The renowned singer named him after his maternal grandfather, Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, a minister and civil rights activist.
Like his mom, Clarence pursued an entertainment career and took credit as the writer for some of his mother’s songs. In addition, he reportedly lived in a group home outside of Detroit after he was diagnosed with a mental illness.
Next is Edward Franklin, born in 1957 to Edward Jordan Sr. Since Aretha Franklin never opened up about her pregnancy, there is no information regarding his father. However, Edward became a gospel singer and performed duets with his mother.
Last is Teddy Franklin, the late singer’s child with Ted White, whom she married in 1961 but divorced due to allegations of domestic abuse. While most of Aretha’s children resided with her and her family in Detroit, Teddy primarily grew up under his father’s care but maintained a strong bond with his mom.
Who Are Kecalf Cunningham’s Children?
Aretha Franklin’s son, Kecalf Cunningham, and his wife, Kafi Franklin, are proud parents of three children: their son, Jordan, and their daughters, Victorie and Grace. Like Cunningham, his kids share a deep love for music. His son, Jordan, has forged his path in the music industry. He released his singles “Good Intentions” and “Smoke in My Lungs” in 2019.
Similarly, Victorie, born on April 19, 1999, follows in her brother’s footsteps. She recently graduated from Howard University and is also entering the music industry. On Instagram, the musician in her early twenties posts cover songs, showcasing her musical prowess.
Lastly, Cunningham’s youngest child, Grace, follows in her big sister’s footsteps as they sometimes perform together in shows. In August 2021, Grace shared the stage with Jennifer Hudson at her grandmother’s biopic premiere and sang a rendition of Aretha Franklin’s 1968 song “Ain’t No Way.”
Another celebrity child who gained fame after following in their parent’s footsteps is Actor Morgan Freeman’s first son, Alfonso Freeman.