Da Truth Unplugged in Black and White
“No Grey”- Rapper DA Truth performs in Black and White
By Juan “Brutha Craze” Baxter
Photography by Brandon Johnson
Da Truth being interviewed by Root correspondent Brutha Craze
It was a brisk Monday night, November 3rd to be exact, and Root Magazine had the opportunity to be a part of a special night with Philly’s own- Da’Truth. The multiple Stellar Award winner invited us, along with other VIP’s, to a private Mixed Bag Entertainment event called “Da’Truth in Black and White” an unplugged recording. It took place at a sound studio with a live band and Da’Truth dressed in black and white with a bowtie (shout out to the bowtie killaz). Da’Truth was accompanied by fellow Mixed Bag artist Prayz1 and Thomas Clay. From the very beginning of the show Da’Truth was on top of his game giving the private audience a mixture of new music, combined with some of what he called “B-side songs”.
Root Magazine had the opportunity to talk to Da’Truth before the show and we wanted to ask him a few questions about the event and why he felt it important to get back to more intimate settings.
Brutha Craze: I’ve seen you perform LIVE and it was an amazing experience. Why has it taken so long before you finally decided to do a LIVE album?
Da’Truth: I don’t know man, probably just time. The thing is when you’re not the captain of your own ship so to speak; things are different. Even though I have always been a flagship artist, I had to always ask for permission for things that I wanted to do. The first thing labels ask is “How’s it gonna sell”? But, now that I’m sitting in the position of CEO, (pause) visionary, I make the decisions along with my business partners. I have the freedom, flexibility and liberty to do the things that I always wanted to do.
Brutha Craze: Is this LIVE album like a blend of new and old?
Da’Truth: I give you like three albums.
Brutha Craze: Some classics?
Da’Truth: No classics (laughter), everybody wants the classics. I am gonna do another one with just the classics. I’m probably gonna call it that “Just the Classics” (laughter). This is a series that we are doing, not just a one- time thing. With Mixed Bag Entertainment, we plan on doing this every three to four months. We plan on bringing in artist that you probably wouldn’t expect to do an “Unplugged” recording.
Brutha Craze: Why did you choose to do this on a more intimate scale as opposed to doing it on a bigger scale?
Da’Truth: I’ve done a lot of things on a bigger scale and quite honestly, I missed doing things on an intimate level. Not only did I miss it, I feel like it is a void that needs to be filled. This is nowhere to be found in gospel music, more or less in Christian Hip Hop. Nowhere in Christian music can you really find an Unplugged situation. There is a specific emphasis on quality musicianship. Having only 20 to 30 people in a smaller setting prevents everybody trying to shoot for the stars. I feel like this is a missing piece and I’m that guy that will always try to fill in what’s missing.
Da Truth pictured with his band
