Hip-Hop is an international language. For some it's 4 elements alone are considered the 6th romance language when it comes to the adoration and love major Hip-Hop heads have for the craft. Across the "pond" you'll find Dwayne Tryumf--a breath of fresh air. He's somebody I would never call a rapper but a true emcee. His rhyme schemes, wordplay, production and skill level are of another caliber. It's safe to say he's the voice for the UK, or at least the forerunner for CHH/HHH emcees over there.

With a piping-hot music video--"777 Intro," a classic single--"I Don't Pack A Matic", an EP and an LP underneath his belt and of course a NEW LP, "777," Mr. Tryumf is on a role. He even made time to sit down with us so we can talk about everything from Hip-Hop to ministry. Read further to find out why this vessel's humble heart will have him exalted in no time!

Nina del: Hey Dwayne, thank you for agreeing to do this interview with us. I know you've been pretty busy working on your new LP and so I'm excited that you've given Da South this opportunity. You are an emcee (a very good one at that) but first you're a Christian so with that being said… I'd like to begin with a question that I always begin with…What mystery of God is He currently showing you in this season of your life?

Dwayne Tryumf: Grow in grace. His grace is more than we think so we need to grow in grace as Peter commands us to.

ND: Now you've moved from the wonderful UK to the south and have shared previously that you are being discipled by some of the artists at Reach.

DT: I was being trained by the same discipleship course that Lecrae took but I'm back in the UK now because I only had a 3-month visa and so my plans have had to change now. I did not expect to be back in the UK so soon.

{loadposition contentad}

ND: Oh really? Well in your time with Reach, what did you learn to appreciate about them and all that they're doing in CHH/HHH right now? Anything interesting you want to share about how that's been going?

DT: Oh I get it; this is a spill the beans on Reach interview (laughs). Just kidding. I love the Reach work ethic, they are very good as a team and function as a family, they get the job done but don't take their work or themselves so serious that they loose the enjoyment out of what they do. It's a really relaxed working environment. Love those guys to the max! The standard of excellence in what they do is what I think sets Reach apart from other Christian Rap labels.

ND: Yes! Doing things in a spirit of excellence is something I value as well. Now, everybody knows America and Americans have a reputation as far as being self-centered, greedy, etc. It's safe to say believers in America are spoiled as well (for example having access to the Word 24/7 while others in 3rd World countries die for just a page of the Gospel). Are there any major differences with the UK and US?

DT: The US has more widely accepted Christianity in the mainstream; I mean you'll find a Christian book in secular stores like Wal-Mart and you get preachers on mainstream TV which is unheard of in the UK! You have to go to specialist stores to get anything Christian in the UK. The gospel also has been heard more widely in the US than in the UK. I mean it seemed like everyone had heard the gospel in the US but in the UK if I talk to someone on the street about Jesus it's more likely that they have never heard the gospel message being presented before.

ND: I went to London back in 2002 and I found that those who wanted the Truth were there because they hungered and desired it. There were no half-steppers, it was very refreshing. With that being said, those who are spitting the Gospel in the UK are spitting with passion, so what can you tell us about the UK CHH/HHH scene? Aside from Jahaziel, you're the biggest emcee to come out of the UK.

DT: The UK scene is very small but there are a few soldiers that have been holding it down for UK HHH for a minute. Artists like M.O.D, Wariyah, Greenjade, Royal Priesthood and more. I have not seen the other elements of Hip-Hop being used widely in the UK but definitely in Germany. They are big on breaking, graffing and all the other elements.

Dwayne Tryumf on front Gospel Link, the leading Urban Christian magazine in the UK. Also partner with DaSouth.com

ND: Let's talk about your last single for a minute, "I Don't Pack A Matic." First I want say the first time I heard you was on your Ghetto Scriptures LP and I heard it on your MySpace. I must admit I was blown away. Your flow, the production and the content were extremely on point so when I heard "I Don't Pack A Matic" I was like oh he's reloaded for sure! What went into that song and I'm sure you've heard of how all across the online world it's been named one of the hottest songs of 2008.

DT: WOW! I really never knew people liked it that much! Praise God! I wrote Matic because at the time I was heavily involved in evangelism in London and it was burning on my heart so much that it was expressed in the song. I felt the spirit of evangelism and soul winning during the time of writing the song. One of the believers 5 crowns mentioned in the New Testament is the Soul Winners Crown or The Crown of Rejoicing in 1 Thessalonians 2:19 which is the crown you receive as a reward for leading souls into the kingdom. There will be rewards in heaven, something that I find the church today has neglected to mention.

ND: Praise God for emcees like you who shed light on things that are neglected elsewhere! Now from there you released "The Mark of The Peace EP," which was just as tight as "I Don't Pack A Matic" and now recently your first single, "777 Intro" off of your new LP, "777" was Da South's MVP (Music Video Premier.) What can you tell us about this new album? How is different from the EP and your first LP?

DT: I have been working on 777 for 2 years now. It has a lot of sweat, tears and pain in it. Some of it was written while I was in Germany, some has US collaborations, some of it was even produced in Dubai in the Middle East! So the album is gonna have an international sound to it. 777 has a lot more thought gone into it. The first LP and the EP were not as planned as 777 is and they were completed in less time.

ND: How have you grown from album to album?

DT: I have become more Word based in my writing. I still need to become even more Word based I feel but Jahaziel said he likes the balance I get in being able to relate to both saved and sinner alike so even in my desire to put more Word in my rhymes there's a balance I'm trying to keep also.

ND: I always felt like you had an excellent balance but tell me about the production? What type of production do you have on this album? Guest appearances? Topics that you're tackling on this album?

DT: Production comes from Myself—Tryumf Productions Theory Hazit—I love what he did!! Sixth Sense Productions—also produced on Lecrae's Rebel, Ian Copeland Green—big time producer,  AC Burrell—long time friend since college and had hits in the top 10 UK national charts. Features are from mostly UK artists: Jahaziel, MOD, Reign of Fire, Ryan Carty, Tyrone Henry, Sister Jones, Nathan Prime and more.

ND: I cannot wait for that album to drop! CHH/HHH has been making noise with the music videos and some have been very decent, including your "I Don't Pack A Matic" and "777 Intro" videos. The trend however, has been artists releasing videos after their albums are dropped however, you decided to drop this video before your album drops…smart move. (Laughs) How do you think music videos can help the genre? Can we expect any more upcoming videos soon?

DT: (Laughs) Thanks for the kind words. Videos are very important to taking the HHH scene to the next level. It helps the listener connect more with your song and helps them to feel like they are in your song! That’s been my experience anyway. I just pray we get more finances and more creativity in that area so we can make real music videos that stand up next to the Paul Hunters, Hype Williams, Joseph Kahns and Little X's.

ND: Yes!! You hear that video producers? Come out the woodworks and work out that gift! What is your goal and purpose of this album and what's the theme behind 777 being that 7 plays a major role in Scripture and in Christianity.

DT: My goal is to let the heart of God be heard through my album and let the world come to know Him better. I want His sovereignty to be displayed through this album and His mighty miracles to be worked through this album. If God can use a sling and stone, a donkey jaw bone, a handkerchief, a staff then surly he can use a CD to work wonders. 777 has many implications but all point to the Sovereignty of God. The first 3 subjects of the Genesis 1:1 total to 777 in Hebrew numbers. God, Heaven and earth. The bible is full of amazing mathematical encryption that was evidence of God's sovereign hand at the time of writing. I believe that God’s sovereign hand will be discovered in this album also.

ND: Amen!! Everybody thinks that all CHH/HHH artists do is live in the lab, stay writing songs constantly and that's it. Little do they know you guys (and ladies) play major roles in your churches and even serve in other areas of ministry aside from Hip-Hop. With that being said…what other roles have you played in your church?

DT: Over the years I've played drums, taught bible study, been a youth pastor, taught Sunday School, sound desk engineer, led my own evangelism team, my own bible study and more.

ND: Praise God! So for those who are considering this CHH/HHH ministry, see where you can serve in your church first and how you can better the Body! What other gifts are flowing heavily in your life? Perhaps preaching? Evangelism? Teaching? Etc.

DT: The gift I see mostly in my life is the work of the Apostle i.e. the pioneering work. God has used me as a pioneer to nurture the body of Christ and encourage growth and maturity in believers. He seems to be using me a lot at the inception of new Churches or new areas of ministry.

ND: That’s wonderful, I’m also apart of a church plant…it’s a lot of work but well worth it when you get to witness first hand God’s provision and how He brings them in and transforms them. Do you see anything else for your ministry aside from just Hip-Hop?

DT: Maybe Apostle and Pastor Triumph lol! I think I may start a church one day but only if He tells me to.

ND: Uh oh, Pastor Triumph! I can see it now. Now you know I gotta ask…How have you enjoyed the new DaSouth.com?

DT: I remember when DaSouth.com used to have that subway train at the top of the page! (Laughs) I've been really blessed by DaSouth.com it was one of the websites that really schooled me to that GOOD HHH. I think I first heard Frontlynaz on DaSouth and I THINK I first saw the 116 video for “Get Krunk” and “Stand, Walk, Dance” also on DaSouth.com. [Editors Note: We believe Dwayne may have been referring to Rapzilla.com.  See an archived version of Rapzilla.com. Praise God for them!]

ND: DaSouth.com is where it’s at! And I don't say this because I'm apart of the Da South familia but I really do appreciate the forum aspect of DaSouth.com and how they keep it love and peace at the end of the day. Many boards can get carried away with stirring up division and gossip about artists in a way that mirrors the secular world. What do you have to say to those who act out in this fashion online and even come at artists with hidden motives?

DT: I would tell them to read Proverbs 6:16-19 If there are some acting in this manner tell them that THE LORD HATES THEM!!! Verse 19 says the Lord HATES one who sows discord among brothers.

ND: Ouch!! Okay, after that let's have a little fun…I'm going to list some people and you answer with the first thing that comes to mind…Jesus Christ

DT: Love him the most!!!

ND: Lecrae

DT: Love him too, great brother!

ND: President Barack Obama

DT: At first it was “hmmm” then I cried big time when he got elected!!

ND: Prime Minister Gordon Brown

DT: Love him and I’m praying for him.

ND: King David

DT: Love him!

ND: Trip Lee

DT: Not trying to impress anyone! (Laughs) And very wise for his age.

ND: Moses

DT: Respect him, a man to learn humility from.

ND: Good stuff! You got a lot of love for folks (laughs). Thanks for taking the time to do this interview yet again! Any last words for the people?

DT: Maintain the four pillars of the Christian walk: One—regular time spent in God’s Word. Bible study everyday! Two—regular intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit, pray everyday. Three—regular public fellowship. A good, sound, Bible-believing church. Four—regular personal fellowship, with Christian friends. Maintain these activities and you will be kept in the faith. Much love to you all!!