The Big Picture

Artist: Da T.R.U.T.H.
Label: Cross Movement Records
Genre: Hip Hop

By Jenny Bennett, contributing editor, GospelMusicChannel.com

Cross Movement Record artists are about the business of furthering God's Kingdom - and Da T.R.U.T.H.'s latest release The Big Picture is no exception - deliberately focused on scripture, following suit after his first three releases. You will not find songs that are purely inspirational, but you will be inspired by his studious - and at times surprising - affinity for seeking God's truth.

I say surprising because he's brave enough to venture into political territory with "My President," (a song based on Romans 13) but is quick to point out that in God's eyes, the race of our government leaders is inconsequential, and he states that in no uncertain terms: My president is black, but Jesus Christ rules...This song isn't even about my president's race. [It's] about government and the role that it plays in God's big picture.

Everything about this record is deliberate - even the order of the tracks. It moves along like a storybook, starting with an introduction of his intentions as an artist, moving to a song descriptive of the album's theme narrated by Kirk Franklin, and moving to a worship track that calls out the name of the "Great I Am," reminding us that He is everywhere and will always be. Then, without further adieu, he begins at the beginning with a provocative, harrowing look at the story of Adam and Eve, pleading with them to resist sin.

The collaborations featured on the project also do much to set it apart and keep things interesting. In addition to Kirk Franklin, Da T.R.U.T.H. worked with J.R., Tye Tribbett, J-Soul and Trip Lee, among others, the most unexpected of which is Integrity worship group Deluge Band, featured on the gorgeous and sensitively played "How Long."

Da T.R.U.T.H. (born Emanuel Lambert, Jr.) takes the attitude that everything he does is for God's purpose - notoriety is not important to him. It's amazing to watch that continue to unfold as a part of God's bigger picture - a theme that's illustrated by the way he lives his life and not just the music he produces.