Grammy-nominated emcee Da’ T.R.U.T.H. recently dropped his album HEARTBEAT. The Mixed Bag Entertainment founder included contributions by Lecrae, Tedashii, J.R., Papa San, Capital Kings, James Fortune, and more on HEARTBEAT.

One of the collaborations on HEARTBEAT that got the Christian Hip Hop community buzzing was T.R.U.T.H.’s “Standing On” feat. TJ Pompeo. The instrumental was produced by S1 (Symbolyc One), a Grammy award-winning producer who has worked with heavy hitters like Kanye West, Eminem, Beyoncé, and more.

The reason why Da’ T.R.U.T.H. rapping over a Symbolyc One instrumental might come as a surprise for some is because the Open Book-crafter wasn’t always open to working with producers who created music for certain mainstream artists. Da’ T.R.U.T.H. expressed his perspective on his song “Price Tag” off the Open Book project in 2007. The legendary rapper doesn’t approach the issue like he did on “Price Tag” anymore, but the song is worth revisiting to really see his musical evolution over the years [Content, Collaborations, Sound, Lyrics and more].

I know some, dudes that are Christians that produce for the wicked
And I know some musicians that use their gift in the church
But the same musicians that use their gift in the church
Produce and play for the wicked, but they call it work
And they try to justify and say that it’s just a job
That’s the customized liner, that they use to compromise
Just adjust the knob on your radio
Here we go, another song a saint produced
Is producing lust and lies
It’s another side to the coin, I know you know where I’m going
This is bigger than trying to stay employed
And I’m so convinced that’s it’s more
Cause if these same producers were writers, they wouldn’t write for Playboy
O boy, I know I sound kinda stern
But if they majored in communications they wouldn’t work for Howard Stern
I know they’re more concerned about the dollars earned
Then they are God’s glory I ain’t talking outta turn
When you help the same people that’s working against the Kingdom
You ain’t taking it back by force, you making matters worse
And they all try to get off by saying I ain’t the star
That’s like saying I ain’t robbed the bank man I just drove the car
You ain’t gotta shoot the ball to put points on the board
All you gotta do is pass to help the other team score
So even if you on the board you still guilty as charged
On that tour, by the way God didn’t open that door – Da’ T.R.U.T.H. on “Price Tag” (2007)

Lyrics above start around the 3 minute mark:

Da’ T.R.U.T.H. Changes His Approach To Collaborations & Gives More Grace 

In an exclusive interview with Jam The Hype’s Chris Chicago on April 18 at 5pm CST, the legendary rapper gave a little insight on why a collaboration like with S1 is something Da’ T.R.U.T.H. can rock with now.

“I have to answer this in two ways,” says Da’ T.R.U.T.H. in an exclusive interview with Jam The Hype’s Chris Chicago.  “One, my approach to who I work with has changed.  There was a time, during the “Price Tag” era, I would not so much as even work with a producer or another artist if they collaborated with a secular artist that I believed was poisonous.  That part has changed.  What has not changed is my perspective and my conviction concerning the producers and the artists that do that.  So, I love S1 and believe he is a solid man of God.  So, it doesn’t take anything away from them, not now.  However, I still do maintain the same conviction.  I still believe when a Christian producer lends their talents to mainstream artists that we know are poisoning the generation, I still believe that they are very much assisting with an agenda that is harmful to the generation, the same with collaborations from artist to artist.  I don’t think it’s law, but I guess it’s one of those things where we’ll see when we get to glory.  We won’t even care when we get to glory.  I doubt that will be a point of discussion.  So, it’s not law but from my perspective and based on some of the things I see in scripture, I think that it is problematic for Christian artists and mainstream artists that are poisonous [poisonous is the operative word] to form alliances.  I still think that is not biblical.  I personally still have a problem with it but I don’t have a problem with the person doing it to the extent in which I will not collaborate with them any longer.”

Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s HEARTBEAT album is currently heating up the iTunes charts.  After 3 days, and at the time of this posting, HEARTBEAT is #11 on the iTunes Top Hip-Hop/Rap Albums chart.  It will be interesting to see where it ends up on the Billboard charts next week.  Let’s keep supporting the project so it can finish the week strong!

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What do you think about Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s stance on Christian & Mainstream artists collaborating?

Were you feeling the “Standing On” record?

Chris Chicago’s full interview with Da’ T.R.U.T.H. will be available for free download next week.

RELATED: Da’ T.R.U.T.H. – Heartbeat feat. Lecrae & Lauren Lee [HOT MUSIC]