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Dwayne Tryumf - 777 (Mark of the Peace)

   He's a natural lyricist who finely blends scripture with
  stylish delivery, and one of the few artists that you
  probably need to listen to whilst having a Bible and
  pen in hand.

  An exciting Christian Hip Hop artist who definitely
  sets the marker for any artist who wishes to
  remain close to the Word rather than the charts.
  Dwayne Tryumf is - in a word - is awesome!

  His still-relevant, classic debut album Ghetto
  Scripture givesfor further proof but enough of the talk,
  let's see if the man does it again on 777...

 '..Ridiculously Lyric Filled...'
Having the ridiculously lyric-filled 777 Intro open the album sets the bar high. But before we've had time to catch our breath, we're straight into the spirit-stirring Never Be The Same Again featuring the distinctive tones of world renowned Worship leader Muyiwa and long time collaborator Copeland Green.

With rapid drums and his double time raps, Tryumf proclaims the Son is truly alive, which anyone who has encompassed Him would testify that their lives are not the same as before.

777 provides no compromises at all; there isn't a new "Skank" tune, a track which omits the word "Jesus" from it or a song 'dedicated solely for the ladies'. The album is a 16 track testimony and tract, superbly produced to capture the attention of lyricists or evangelists. The bass attacking I Don't Pack A 'Matic is heavy on both production and wordplay as Tryumf's booming vocals about being equipped with the Word shake up the track with such ferocity.

As a musician, Tryumf is just as effective. Mixing genres on the head nodding African Drum shows he can provide a fresh sound to Gospel Music when many outsiders continue to perceive the Gospel as organ churning, choir led groups. But whilst the hunger for Christ sounds ferocious on heated tracks He's The King and Roll Out, it's when he's at his most reflective and calm that we see the other qualitative side to Mr Tryumf.

The eloquent Proverbs 31 Woman proves to Christians that love songs can be produced without the heavy use of lust whilst This Is For You featuring Jahaziel offers a moving depiction of what Jesus went through for the world. There's even some light humour on offer for those who may squirm at the seriousness of the album as the 'MC Hate-A-Lot' featuring US Comedian Chris Williams are great indents to break up the album.

What more can I say? 777 has been a project in the making for over two years and its end result is a fine, fine album which stands up as a banner for true Gospel Rap. For years Lecrae, Da T.R.U.T.H and America's best have pushed the genre and now another of the UK's elite can be added to that bracket.

Lyrical displays which can only be described as "phenomenal" whilst production ranges from classic worship to contemporary "urban". Only a nostalgic cling to his debut "Ghetto Scripture" stops me from considering this album as his best work, but some would disagree.

Either way, if we have to wait two more years for another release, judging from this album, it would be worth the wait.

Rating - 4.5 out of 5

Henry Yanney

Henry contributes to the UK gospel industry through album reviews, scriptwriting, interviews, podcasts or mingling with the scene's movers and shakers.
 
He also critiques and rambles on all things gospel on the blog.

A radio obsessive, Henry’s aim is to have his ideas and creations transcend through your DAB radio.

Follow Henry on Twitter: @Henryx85

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