LOVE TRIANGLE TAKES ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING! THE STORY UNFOLDS ABOUT TYE TRIBBETT & DA’ T.R.U.T.H.
When I started this blog one of my initial intentions was to do my part to keep the Gospel music industry entertaining. As of late, I haven’t had to do much of anything and things have progressed from entertaining to outright shocking.
The men of the Gospel industry have been keeping me VERY busy fielding emails from readers who are catching wind of their questionable actions. I’ve pondered for a while now about whether I should address this topic, but I guess I won’t prolong this.
Everyone has been whispering about – though most media outlets have refrained from covering – what is going on with Gospel singer Tye Tribbett and Christian rapper Da’ T.R.U.T.H. Like me, I am sure the other gospel sites have seen the countless queries in the search engine where readers are looking to find out details about their quiet scandals.
As unbiased as I can be, let me attempt to report the facts from what I’ve gathered thus far. Earlier this year, Tye, one of the industry’s top Gospel acts was apparently caught having an extramarital affair with a member of his choir. Supposedly his wife discovered the affair around Mother’s Day, of all holidays. The girl wasn’t just a member of Tye’s Greater Anointing choir, but she also happened to be the baby’s mother of one his best friends, who also sings in the group. Made your eyebrow raise, huh?
After getting caught, Tye went on a 60-day sabbatical of consecration in an effort to get right with God. The question most people were asking was simple, “Did he take the sabbatical because he felt guilty for participating in an ongoing affair or was this a real attempt to repent for his backslidden state?”
The problem here is that Tye had been extremely vocal (read: judgmental) about a lot of things, particularly things pertaining to mainstream music and culture. For nearly two years, Tye preached a sermon during concerts where he openly rebuked everyone from Beyonce to Omarion as he told concertgoers that their “secular” music would cause them “death.” His “Life or Death” message also challenged believers not to wear clothes by rappers like Sean “Diddy” Combs (Sean John) and Jay-Z (Roc-A-Wear) because you “carry their spirits” and “you don’t know the spirit behind these guys.”
There are several ironies here. One being that Tye himself built his career on working with “secular” acts ranging from Faith Hill to Justin Timberlake. His deal at Sony Music came via a production deal with the same R&B label that signed neo-soul singer Vivian Green. Additionally, the other irony is that apparently for a good portion of the time in which Tye was casting stones at mainstream music’s finest, he had some extracurricular spirits of his own that he was participating in – the main one being adultery! (The old saying goes: “What’s done in the dark will come to the light.”)
If you have noticed, we haven’t heard so much as a PEEP from Tye since about May, except that awkward video interview with The Belle Report where they danced around the issue and his CNN appearance where he challenged PJ Morton’s music. I find it very interesting that the man crowned as one of the most outspoken Gospel artists in the industry hasn’t mumbled a single word about his own transgressions. For even the Bible in Revelation 12:11 says, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Translation: If he can call out other people’s sins, the least he could do is come clean about his own. Wouldn’t that be true ministry?
Since Tye never publicly addressed this issue, most media outlets ignoring the story, and Tye’s publicist not honoring requests for comment, I figured things would quiet down and folks would move on.
Well, apparently not. Last week my search engine was abuzz again with queries about Gospel rapper, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. For those who don’t know, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. is a Stellar Award winner who happens to be Tye’s mentee. On his personal website, the rapper posted a message that he was taking a sabbatical. He announced that he was removing himself from the limelight for an indefinite period of time because of a “moral indiscretion.” (See his full statement on www.DaTruth.net )
I am not a fan of Christian Hip-Hop and couldn’t tell you the name of one song by Da Truth, however, I was aware that he, like Tye, had a pretty vocal stance towards mainstream music and during an interview on BET’s Lift Every Voice, he spoke about music producers who create both gospel and non-gospel music and declared God wasn’t pleased.
Apparently Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s “indiscretion” was an extramarital affair of his own. As the facts are slowly unfolding, and as much as it sounds like an episode of the Young & The Restless, the affair was allegedly with Tribett’s wife Shante. Yes, you read that correctly!
Confused? Well, here’s the recap in a nutshell: Tye cheated on his wife with a choir member who was his good friend’s baby’s mother. Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Tye’s mentee, cheated with Tye’s wife. And it’s all going on in gospel. Who would have thought?
Though I wasn’t a participant in any of these outrageous affairs, I know I’ll get countless e-mails from readers telling me I’m wrong for writing this story. I was almost hung and dang near shot for writing an unfavorable CD review a few weeks ago. But criticism aside, the bigger picture here is that none of us are exempt from the deception of the devil. We are all sinners and the devil’s goal is to get us off course and make us look like fools; some of us just make it a lot easier for him to do it!
I hope that in the end, other artists and ministers of the gospel will learn from Tye and Da’ T.R.U.T.H. and stop condemning and judging people so radically without compassion. But now, both of these brothers need everyone to forgive them and not forever hold their sins over their heads.
We serve a God that has the power to redeem us from our sin sick ways and God’s grace is enough to forgive us for ANYTHING we’ve done. There is nothing we can do or say that will separate us from the Love of God. Now, that doesn’t mean God isn’t disappointed with our actions and there won’t be consequences, but we will be forgiven.
So as you read this, I hope your first reaction is not to condemn the parties involved or even condemn me for speaking on it, but to pray and lift everyone up in prayer that God will renew a right spirit within each one of their lives and that they will repent and come out pure as Gold.
Scriptures to reflect on:
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2:5-6) NIV
For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:23) NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2) NIV
See also Colossians 1:9-11 & Colossians 2:6-8
For more stories on Tye Tribbett go to www.dagospeltruth.com/?p=1566
To Elovely:
Did you say all that when Tye was condemning others???
I tell you, God is going to have to renovate and enlarge
hell….just so all these phony Christians will be able
to fit. Tye getting exposed is just what he deserves for
being immoral, while talking about the so-called immorality
of others. Its my hope that you all are equally exposed,
if you are equally as hypocritical. Being able to quote
scripture assures you no seat in The Kingdom. The devil
knows the Bible backwards and forwards, a-l-s-o!
Well Church the handwritting is on the wall and judgement has begin in the houses of God Jesus said come out from among the world and be separated saith the lord because if the love of the world is in you then guess what the love of the father is not Jesus is not in people lives for real and the devil dont want us to call it out and what it is IS SIN LOOK WHAT HAPPEN TO Eli House when you dont deal or judge sin then it will destroy you and your house meaning everyone that connected to you in has to be how else could you tell wrong from right unrighteous from right sin fron evil good from bad clean from dirty ugly from pretty come on church less call sin what it is so we can have some deliverance again in God house the devil is trying to keep us destraced so people wont get free for real can you see what was once not right is ok not so he trying to trick the body of christ he comes to kill steal and destroy less say no he already has the churches doing the electric slide in God house come let get back to holyness and righteous we dont have time to play around look what happen in Noah day dont argue about the word let’s get to work the king is comming.
Okay yeah he cheated but most of you up here probably did the same thang. You act like yawl been saved all your life. Get real. What about the rumors about Hezekiah Walker being a homosexual. We all mess up. Thats why God is a forgiving God.He is trying to get his stuff right and before ANY of you judge sumbody you all should make sure you are right with God. I am not right yet but im striving for that kingdom and my mansion.
The idea that we are supposed to not condemn sin because we are all sinners is one of Satan’s most powerful tools in these wicked times. It is amazing … we have no problem with this from the secular world, but in the spiritual realm we get all cowardly. If a guy on death row says “don’t become a criminal” we are supposed to listen to him, right? If a guy in prison for securities fraud tells us “don’t become greedy and live beyond your means” we listen to him, right? But that is the SECULAR world. But if a CHRISTIAN says “don’t be worldly” and insists on obeying what THE BIBLE says in verses like Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 6:14 and James 4:4, we want to get all cowardly?
Look, the Bible isn’t some all you can eat buffet where you can take what you like and leave what you don’t. These are COMMANDMENTS that we HAVE TO FOLLOW if we are to get to heaven. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves, but we have to love God first, and the way that we love God with all our heart, soul and strength is by keeping His commandments. It is not some emotional attachment or religious ritual or profession of faith or identification with some church institution, it is OBEDIENCE. Both the Old Testament and New Testament, people were judged by their OBEDIENCE. Why? Because there is no FAITH without OBEDIENCE. FAITH without OBEDIENCE is merely BELIEF. And what does James 2:19 say? EVEN DEMONS BELIEVE. The person who BELIEVES in God but does not OBEY GOD is no different from a DEMON and will spend eternity in the lake of fire WITH THE DEMONS.
Another example: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Jewish leaders, i.e. the high priest, knew that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. So did some of the Romans. But what did they do? They lied and created a conspiracy, paying people off. In the early chapters of Acts, the Sanhedrin never denied that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Why? Because they COULDN’T. Instead, they threw people in jail and killed many of them for TALKING ABOUT IT. So KNOWING about the fact of the resurrection did not save them, because this KNOWLEDGE did not result in their living in obedience to Jesus Christ. Mere knowledge is not FAITH because FAITH is KNOWLEDGE that leads to OBEDIENCE. That is why James says “faith without works is dead.”
So many people have misgivings about this issue – including Martin Luther no less – because they have trouble reconciling it with the doctrine that we are saved by faith, not by works, and would call the emphasis on obedience “works-salvation.” Wesley even claimed that good works was important for sanctification (holiness), not salvation, and that it resulted in (or came from) a second application of grace by the Holy Spirit. However, Jewish-Christian scholars now propose that when Paul said “we are not saved by works”, the works that he was referring to was the law of Moses itself, not the commandments of Jesus Christ. That was why Paul was able to say on one hand that the law of Moses never saved anyone, but on another hand called himself a bondservant compelled to obey Jesus Christ.
Even if you don’t want to go in that direction as proposed by the Jewish Christian theologians, just consider it to be a spiritual paradox of which there are many in Christianity. Faith without works is just belief, and belief is dead. Just because Tye Tribbett and Tha Truth did not obey in this matter does not mean that Christians are not supposed to obey, or that Christians are not supposed to instruct and encourage each other to obey, and are not to reprove and rebuke those of us who fall into worldliness and disobedience. Further, if Tye Tribbett and Tha Truth have repented of their sins, what can be said against them? If they have repented of their sins, then the sinner is not Tribbett and Tha Truth, but rather those who use their examples to try to hinder the true message of the Bible, which is belief in AND obedience to Jesus Christ!
Even if the messenger is wrong, the message is still true. Philippians 1:18
verifies that 100%!
JB:
People “trying to get right” should not be ministers (or deacons). The Bible has requirements of those in ministry explicitly given in the New Testament. The modern church has cast those requirements aside, to the harm of many.
Well I’m a big fan of Tye Tribbet and always will be. I just feel that we should lift both families in prayer because although he has disappointed a lot of people, me included, he still is a man of GOD. A righteous man fall seven times and get back up!
God Bless
I like the way your article is represented….we must pray for each other…we all mess up…some are more crave than others I agree, but in the words of Jesus…he who is without sin casts the first stone.
Wow! The last time i saw Tye he was so dogmatic and judgemental in turned me off from enjoying his music. He really had it in for John Legend. Once we all get the fact that God Is Love and not a bull dog to sic on people because we dont like them we will ALL be better off
He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone!
At the end of the day each man has to give an accout for his life so too will these brothers. Ive like Christian Hip Hop since coming to Christ, and to hear of this tragedy of lives effected hurt deeply, because we are used to hearing that in the secular music industry. I DONT LIKE THE SIN THAT EACH BROTHER & SISTER COMMITTED, but its our job to pray for the redemption of these brothers. Its imperative they take their place at the head of their households, and lead THEIR families back to CHRIST!! THIS IS THE ROLE OF EVERY MAN!!!
Job:
The point is that we are all not perfect. We are not talking about just one soul. Im talking about the ones that dance and shout and worship then the next thing they in a hotel room with another female/male shacking and fornicating and doing the things that is not of God. We want to judge somebody else before we make sure our life isn’t rite. That is not of God. We all make mistakes and the thing is we knt forgive them but when we do wrong we beg for forgiveness not kool at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We ALL have to stay in prayer. Not just for our brothers, but for ourselves as well. The enemy (satan) is eager to find a way into our hearts to corrupt it. REPENTANCE is the key. I sincerely pray for both of these brothers in Christ. Look at David…a man after God’s own heart. David was NOT without sin…even cheating on his spouse. BUT God forgave him. Let’s be careful that we aren’t so quick to condemn them and cast them out. Let’s look in the mirror. Let’s make sure we stay connected to the VINE (the Lord, the Word). Satan’s desire is to destroy us. He will use every trick that he can. DAILY, he is after us. But when we sincerely repent we are receive God’s mercy DAILY!!! Who wouldn’t serve a God like that?!! Let’s challenge ourselves to study God’s word and fall on our knees to see His face DAILY. Not just when things are going bad. Even when we are on the “mountain top”, we have to stay before God. Psalm 19:12-14.
Any “information” gathered in third person for the sake of life examination “you call it shedding light, its not really meant for us to speak on. The fact is; the deeds done here are no stranger to anyone in “the church” or out, the only difference is that the individuals are identified. So I doubt the church world needs to be reminded that “none of us are exempt from the deception of the devil. We are all sinners and the devil’s goal is to get us off course and make us look like fools; some of us just make it a lot easier for him to do it!”
This issue is to dealt with by the parties involved and their “real pastors” (no mentor mentee stuff). DA’ TRUTH stated his peace on his website and removed himself. The details are not really meant for us to discuss, pondered, or examine. For the sake of the weak who truly looked up to them I am sorry and I pray for them, but every mature Christian should know, no matter if its a preacher or singer. We must get the “Message” not the “Man”. Save YOURSELF from this untoward generation.
TRUTH…TYE…I pray for your families man. Submit to Christ, I have no choice but to believe He will have to make this all work out for your good in the end. But you both know more than any of us of the price that is being paid by all those connected.
To the rest of us on this blog…”Got To Be More Careful” with this verses and interpretations your throwing up here out of your emotions.
Many of us are missing the point. Yes its true they were “bashing” people like Beyonce, etc.(if that’s what you call it). But the truth is the truth the word is the word. I for one don’t call it bashing OR being judgemental. The word says you know a tree by its fruit. If I see an orange tree that claims to be an apple tree I’m not judging them by saying that they have oranges on their branches!! People always love to play that “JUDGING” card, saying christians aren’t supposed to judge……….TRUE….but analyze “judgement”. When a person judges they leave NO ROOM FOR ESCAPE, the judge ALWAYS has final say!! For example, if I was to say to a person that’s sellin drugs on my block “You goin straight to hell!!! Then tell him why without offering ANY FORM OF ESCAPE {the word, prayer,salvation, etc.} THAT IS JUDGING!!!
On the other hand the word does speak on those who desire the office of a “bishop” or in this case “CHRISTIAN STARDOM”, and lists requirements of this “high ranking office” [1Timothy 3]. This is HIGHLY important because of the eyes of the souls/ population of people they reach.
It is unfortunate that this had to happen to 2 highly suggested artists who’s annointing and gifts complement eachother. I’m not finished I have to go but I will blog later
We all are commissioned to preach the word of God. Straight truth. Tye (or any of us) is the messenger. I have seen this brother preach recently and he is very annointed. When people hear a message that calls them to repentance and they want to continue to enjoy sin, they seem to view the messenger as someone who is harshly judging them. It is not his word that he delivers, but God’s. One challenge for any Christian, is that as we preach we must continue being mindful to expect the devil to try to wreak havoc anyway and anywhere he can. Oftentimes the messenger is so passionate about the message because it is something that they or someone close to them have struggled with. While they must also humble themselves, seek God’s face and turn from their wicked ways, THE WORD OF GOD STILL STANDS. Every person who regularly practices sin — any sin — must do likewise. Tye and you and I all belong to the Lord, and because we were born and shaped in iniquity, and if we do not render this flesh dead daily, we have great propensity to fall into temptations. Recognize that the world chooses to practically worship celebrities. For Christian artists that are sincere in living and working in the will of God, we must not forget that they are still people, everyday people who are mortal like the rest of us. It doesn’t matter that they are seen on TV and hold a microphone. KEEP THEM ALL IN PRAYER. Yes, people are curious and want answers, but let’s not do as the world does. The word teaches us to work out our differences with our brethren in private. So it is orderly and decent for all of them to refrain from comments publicly and we should know and respect that, instead of speculating on it any further. That is called gossip and it is tacky. To say we are overcome by our testimonies…when you sin, do you jump right up and confess and profess it publicly? Honestly? There is a time and season for all things. I would venture to say that he will and probably already has, but he does not owe you or I that testimony. Let’s pray for our brothers and sisters and be careful not to turn into the jokes that we laugh about.
God does not require perfection of us. God requires us to live holy. And when we live holy, we tend not to practice sin. And we all have a ton of work to do where that is concerned. So let us mind our own affairs, seriously no pun intended, and pray for everyone involved, as we would want others to pray for and to support us in our time of need.
This is my first time reading your blog, and I think your recap of the events were fair and unbias, very well written. I totally agree with you. I’ve seen some things in the church that have left me feeling hurt and confused. With maturity and a strong relationship with God, I have learned to look at man as God intended; not perfect, but striving (daily) to be more like Christ. Man is not a god, and we are sinful in nature. My prayers go out to all parties involved.
Wow, Tye I must say I am shocked! But now that all this has been exposed all I can do as a fellow believer is pray for you as my brother in christ. Because as disappointed as some of us may be everyone one of us sin daily that is why the flesh must die daily. The bible tells us to love one another and to encourage each other because this race sometimes gets rough. So all of you who are pointing the finger instead of lifting up whom ever is involved in this scandal,in prayer, needs to take a look at your own self. You are not perfect. Yet, we are all being perfected by Chirst. This is a lesson to be learned from and if all involved take it as such; I believe each and every guilty party will grow and become strengthen in their Christian walk. So Tye, press forward toward the high mark. Forget the things that is in the past and continue on. Hold your head up and stick your chest out because in every situation you face you have the VICTORY! All things work together for the good of them that love the Lord. Keep on keeping on.