Da’ T.R.U.T.H. will release his seventh studio album, Heartbeat, April 15 through Mixed Bag Entertainment and Entertainment One.
The project will be the first album issued through Mixed Bag’s new distribution partnership with eOne and arrives sooner than its founder originally expected. Da’ T.R.U.T.H. had planned to step away from recording until 2015 so he could concentrate on building the label, but his time away from the studio did not last.
“After almost a year of watching and observing the culture, I realized that I had a few more things that I wanted to share,” he said.
What began as a three- to five-song EP gradually expanded into a full-length album, which is generally how musicians discover that their break from making music has gone poorly.
Da’ T.R.U.T.H. described Heartbeat as experimental, gritty and engaging, with longtime collaborator J.R. handling much of the production and helping shape the album’s direction.
J.R. has worked with Da’ T.R.U.T.H. throughout his career, making the producer a natural choice for an album intended to establish the sound of Mixed Bag Entertainment. Additional production comes from Symbolyc One, better known as S1, Justin Ebach, Alex Medina and several emerging producers.
The album will also feature a broad guest list that crosses hip-hop, gospel, pop and reggae. Announced collaborators include Lecrae, Chris August, Isaac Carree, Alexis Spight, Canon, Papa San and Capital Kings, along with artists newly signed to Mixed Bag.
That range fits the album’s title and the label’s name. Rather than forcing the project into one narrowly defined sound, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. appears to be treating the record as a collection of the styles, voices and ideas currently moving him.
“This record is fun,” he said. “It’s experimental, gritty and engaging, and having my longtime friend help me shape the project makes it that much more enjoyable.”
Heartbeat will be the first of several projects Mixed Bag Entertainment plans to release through its eOne partnership.
Listen to “Press,” featuring Canon and Papa San, below.
Heartbeat will be released digitally and physically April 15.