Biography

Philadelphia’s Emanuel Lee Lambert, Jr. a/k/a Da’ T.R.U.T.H. is the foremost artist in Christian Rap.  This Cross Movement protégé is an urban missionary who gives back to his community of faith through words of truth, which are beset by the raw honesty of his personal triumphs and failings. Sometimes this truth is set to music and is birthed into the most prolific and prophetic rap songs of our time. And sometimes his truth is delivered in word, as this knowledgeable pastor is able to capture hearts and minds with or without a soundtrack. But in every instance, this man of God, who is decorated with honors and accolades from the music industry, is an educated teacher of the Word and is continually evolving. He has a sincere desire to impact a generation with The Truth of Jesus Christ, so he lives the truth, epitomizes the truth and indeed, IS Da’ T.R.U.T.H.

Receiving Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a very young age, Da’ T.R.U.T.H.listened to contemporary Christian music but never had an interest in rap, although he found elements of the culture appealing. He began playing drums as a teen and discovered a natural affinity for rhyming when he stumbled into free-style rap. This innate skill led to Da’ T.R.U.T.H. co-founding a Christian Hip Hop group called NIV and acquiring the first moniker of ‘Truth’.  From there, the urban missionary was born.

A graduate of Philadelphia Biblical University and The Institute of Jewish Studies, the vanguard rapper received a 2007 Stellar Award for Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year for THE FAITH.  That album was highlighted by Da’ T.R.U.T.H. co-producing the project and even playing keyboards and drums. In doing so, it was a demonstration of his credence that “artistry should never be placed on the altar for the sake of the message – instead, it should heighten its potency.”

2009 brought about a Stellar Award and a GRAMMY® nomination for OPEN BOOK. Continuing this magnetic streak, he captured a 2010 Stellar Award for THE BIG PICTURE which also reaped GRAMMY® and Dove Award nominations. THE BIG PICTURE was the first Christian Hip Hop CD to debut in the #1 spot on the iTunes Christian and Gospel chart, and Da Truth’s second debut at #2 on the Billboard Gospel Charts. 

Da’ T.R.U.T.H. continued to establish his place as a hit maker when he was featured on two Top 10 singles (Radio and Records Christian Rhythmic Chart) with label-mates The Ambassador (“Feels Good”) and Flame (“LADIES”). He was also featured on Kirk Franklin’s “Hero” world tour alongside sister duo, Mary Mary. Da’ T.R.U.T.H. has toured extensively, making appearances at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ MegaFest, Christian Music’s premiere music festival, Creation Fest, Rap Fest, Flavor Fest and many other live gatherings.  He also garnered national television appearances and performances on the 24^th Annual Stellar Awards, MTV’s My Super Sweet 16, BET’s Lift Every Voice, TBN, Daystar and Gospel Music Channel.

Now comes the time for THE WHOLE TRUTH and nothing but that which he has always professed!  Da’ T.R.U.T.H. has produced a musical expedition in this project, which chronicles a period of brokenness and his journey to wholeness.  He gives listeners a first-hand account, so believers and unbelievers alike can instantly be impacted by the undeniable power of God to move on lives and restore. He emphasizes throughout this journey that God has now made him whole. The project also irrefutably delivers the Word, pointing listeners to Jesus who embodies THE WHOLE TRUTH.  This marks Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s first CD release at his new label home, Xist Music. His Xist label mates include his longtime friend and pioneer of Christian hip hop, The Ambassador; the leading UK Christian rapper, Jahaziel; and Christian urban soul vocalist, Sean Simmonds, who also produced the project.

THE WHOLE TRUTH  takes the listener through Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s personal passage over the last two years, divulging every imaginable twist and turn.  “People can expect to hear many of the things that I’ve learned about God and myself over the course of this journey,” Da’ T.R.U.T.H. shares.  “On my last CD, The Big Picture, I focused on ‘THE’ redemption story, while on THE WHOLE TRUTH, the attention is given to ‘MY’ redemption story.”

Throughout THE WHOLE TRUTH  Da’ T.R.U.T.H. lyrically paints his recent life experiences on a canvas coated in thematic simplicity, which exposes the pain in his heart, strength in his spirit and layers to his character.  “I intentionally fixated on the basics because it was the fundamental reality of God’s love, grace, truth and forgiveness that sustained me through it all,” he explains.  “Beyond that, I wanted to keep it relatively simple so that it could resonate with a range of listeners—Christian and non-Christian alike.”

The first single and title cut, “The Whole Truth” features the soothing vocals of Hillsong Music songstress Mia Fieldes. On the song he narrates his season of pain and confusion of sin while Fieldes’ vocals offer a refreshing light on the hook. THE WHOLE TRUTH’s  electrifying, upbeat tracks are “Without God”, “God is Good”, and “Alive” featuring the UK’s Jahaziel, as well as the rock-infused title track to the 2011 Misfit Tour, “GO, MISFIT, GO!” featuring The Ambassador, Sean Simmonds, Mali Music and Efrain.  Adding a gentle touch to the record, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. duets with CeCe Winans on “Cherished”, a song dedicated to his wife, which is also  the theme song for the Christian book Cherished, whose title character follows a fictional path that is in many ways like the real life path of Da’ T.R.U.T.H. “When I was in the dark season of my life, I said many hurtful things to my wife and I wanted to replace those things with words of life, in something that she could have forever,” Da’ T.R.U.T.H. expresses.  “And I grew up listening to CeCe, so having her on the record is almost surreal. I am totally humbled and honored.”

THE WHOLE TRUTH merges innovative hip hop music and pure ministry into a collective experience  that will harvest positive mainstream, national and global exposure for the Christian Hip Hop community.   “The heartbeat of the Christian rapper is to provide people with a positive alternative and a godly antidote for the poison of secularism found in pop culture,” says Da’T.R.U.T.H.  “My prayer is that as a community, we all grow together in genuine love and fellowship with one another and focus on the things that matter most.”  He continues,“I represent many things for the genre right now – most importantly, I represent hope!  After everything that I’ve been through, I’m still standing, my family is restored, I’m back on the frontline ministering and proclaiming Gods love.”

Although decorated with awards, honors and a respected catalog of hit singles and records, the real fruit of Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s labor is in the lives of the people who have been exposed to his ministry and as a result, given their lives to Christ. Or at least, who have lent their ears to songs that lift up the name of Jesus Chirst.  “Having witnessed everything from salvation to restored marriages, my desire is really just to see more of the same,” Da’ T.R.U.T.H. expounds.  “I’d like to see this album expand my reach, creating greater opportunities for me to share good music and minister the heart of God to the world.”