Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Michael Tait performs during Homecoming
Liberty alumnus and former member of dc Talk Michael Tait performed to a packed crowd of students and alumni at Saturday’s Homecoming game. The crowd cheered and sang along as Tait performed two songs during his 15-minute halftime show. Later that evening Tait took the stage again performing several more songs in a 45-minute show.
Christian Music News Source
Thursday, November 6, 2008
DC Talk - Mind's eye (portuguese subtitles)
Video made to use in a church youth program, which the main theme was "relationship with God". I've collected many videos and images from here, and mixed them into this video. Enjoy!
Christian Music News Source
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Web site Spotlight: dc talk's Unofficial Site
For dc Talk fans who ever found themselves wanting to know why Kevin Max thanked actress Winona Ryder in the liner notes of Free at Last or if Toby McKeehan has gone country after rapping on a SheDaisy disc, "Ardent Enthusiast: An Archive for dc Talk Fans" answers those questions and many more at their comprehensive cyber-headquarters.
While many fan-oriented Web sites are just a way to spotlight allegiance to a particular artist, the foursome behind this Web site surpasses this by leaps and bounds, offering plenty of information in an easy-to-read and well-designed Flash format.
And while on many sites the label "unofficial" is synonymous with "unreliable," this site gives disclaimers to any information that hasn’t been confirmed by dc Talk’s record label in their news sections. Also good to know, all of the concert dates listed in the "tour Info" section have been given the green light from dc Talk’s management.
And with that said, many of the site’s virtues lie in the detailed information it offers. Whether your looking for the history of the band, (you’ll find a jam-packed-with-information account in the timeline), archives that link to published dc Talk articles or would like to see what the boys looked like as babies (in the extensive photo gallery), you’ll find it here.
Also, for those who’d like to get to know other dc Talk enthusiasts, you can, by posting on the message board or making your way into their chat room. Other helpful dc Talk-related tools include guitar tabs, plenty of the band’s MP3s to listen to and links to e-mail the site’s creators if you have questions or want to sign up for their newsletter.
Begin your own journey to find out more about the "Jesus Freaks" now.
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
DC Talk - So Long (My Friend)
I will be uploading all of DC Talks music videos if you wanna find em. ^_^
Christian Music News Source
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
dc Talk - Intermission: The Greatest Hits
Anyone who has been into Christian music for the last ten years will immediately agree that dc talk has been one of the most prominent and successful groups of the '90s. They've sold lots of albums, released several #1 singles, crossed over to mainstream radio, and earned numerous Dove and Grammy awards. They've also done something relatively unheard of in the music business by reinventing themselves with every album (from rap to pop to rock, with everything inbetween) and still maintaining one of the strongest fan bases in Christian music. After an 11-year career, dc talk is certainly worthy of a greatest hits album.
For the most part, Intermission: The Greatest Hitsworks. The album is stuffed with dc talk's biggest hits: "Jesus Freak," "Luv Is a Verb," "Between You and Me," "Colored People," and "In the Light," to name just a few. There are some welcome additions to the collection for the longtime fans as well. Included is a remix of "The Hardway" that is a little lighter and less hip-hop than the original. Also, there's a completely remixed version of "Say the Words" that has a stronger dance-techno feel to it. I also like the inclusion of "My Will" from the Exodus project and the cover of Larry Norman's classic "I Wish We'd All Been Ready," neither of which have appeared on a dc talk album until now.
There are two new songs on Intermission. "Chance" is a relaxed folk/acoustic song about the opportunities to serve and minister to others; it's the brighter, more positive flip side to their previous hit "What If I Stumble" (also included on the album). "Sugar Coat It," a song about letting our light shine, reminded me a little of early Jars of Claywith its mix of acoustic guitars and driving drum patterns. Both new songs are as good as past songs from the group, and fit nicely on the album....
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dc Talk - Greatest Hits
Sounds like … the alt-rock, modern pop, and eclectic hip-hop that Kevin Max, Michael Tait, and toby Mac are respectively known for, with a fusion sound recalling Seal, Skillet, and T-Bone.
At a glance … a fine compilation for those who insist on owning just one dc Talk album, Greatest Hits is completely unnecessary for fans, particularly those who already own Intermission.
One of the first albums I reviewed for ChristianityToday.com in 2000 was Intermission, which adequately summarized dc Talk's explosive reign of hits in '90s Christian pop/rock. The title alone reflected the trio's intention to continue with "act two" after a short break to explore solo projects. Yet here we are, almost seven years later, and little has changed. Kevin Max, Michael Tait, and tobyMac continue to record separately, and Forefront is now releasing virtually the same compilation under a different name. Why now? Think of it as the lighter at a concert that keeps vigil for the encore that might never come.
Greatest Hits shares 14 of the 19 tracks originally found on Intermission—half of them in the same sequence on both albums. Gone are the two short "Mrs. Morgan" interludes that got in the way of the music, and no one's likely to miss the mediocre "Chance" and "Sugar Coat It," even though they offered something new for fans. But what a pity to lose the fine cover of Larry Norman's "I Wish We'd All Been Ready," a popular rarity not found on dc Talk's other albums....
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dc Talk - dc Talk Greatest Hits [CD/DVD]
dc Talk's Greatest Hits serves as a strong compilation of one of the premier Contemporary Christian trios of the mid-'90s. Sure, there are no cuts from the band's first three albums, but the majority of big hits are here -- "Jesus Freak," "Supernatural," and "Jesus Is Just Alright" all make the cut and are among the disc's finest moments. dc Talk's strongest record Free at Last and its successor Jesus Freak get nearly all of the attention here, with a few songs off their last album Supernatural to round things out. But the limited selection of their discography is a good thing, since the group hadn't fully matured into their own until after Nu Thang. Although this collection has fewer tracks than the previous greatest-hits package Intermission: The Greatest Hits, there are no remixes or skits present and this makes for a more direct overview. If you're looking for clean, upbeat Christian pop-rap, with positive spiritual messages and tinges of alternative rock, this is probably the best starting point to get a feel for one of the top acts in the genre....
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dc Talk - Jesus Freak: 10th Anniversary Special Edition
Sounds like … the incomparable meshing of alternative rock, hip-hop, and pop-soul of dc Talk, which is carried on today by solo outings from tobyMac, Kevin Max, and Tait.
At a glance … though it's not all it could be as a commemorative release, Jesus Freak, the album, still sounds as classic and timeless as it first did over 11 years ago.
One need not be a CCM historian to acknowledge the importance of dc Talk and their 1995 breakthrough Jesus Freak in the Christian music canon. The album, the trio's best, is a classic in every sense of the word. It earned the group a Grammy and five Dove Awards, including a Song of the Year statuette for "Jesus Freak." It also scored six No. 1 singles across Christian radio formats; it went gold within a month of its release and went on to sell over two million copies, thanks in part to a dual partnership with secular giant Virgin Records.
But the album's significance transcends facts and figures: besides inspiring hordes of young people with its amalgamation of bold artistry, cutting-edge music, and a through-the-roof hip factor, Jesus Freak would set the stage for myriad faith-based bands after it—in many ways, mainstream Christian rock wouldn't be what it is today were it not for the disc's indisputable influence....
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dc Talk - The Early Years
DC Talk was a record-setting band for Chistian music. They explored unknown territory for the genre, and opened the door for some of the success Christian rock and rap artists are having far and wide today. The super group is best known for being a pop/rock group, as most of their mainstream success came when they were in that form. However unfortunate, the Talkers "early years" are sometimes forgotten. The Early Years pays tribute to the group's first three albums.
The album starts with two songs from their self-titled debut. "Heavenbound" is the first of the two, and is a very solid offering from their debut. "Spinnin' Round" is served up next. It is just an average track, but surely fits on this collection. The next four tracks are from Nu Thang, a very good album that is often forgotten when talking about dc Talk. "When dc Talks" is the first representation, followed by "He Works." Both are fairly decent cuts, but nothing too special. However, the album really gets going at this point. "Nu Thang" is a funky rap tune that was one of the first Christian rap radio hits. "Walls" is a harder song and definitely one of the group's finest songs ever.
The final four tracks are from the masterpiece Free at Last. The Free at Last tracks kickoff with "The Hardway," a truly amazing and inspiring song. "That Kinda Girl" is another excellent track, followed by another remarkable one, "Socially Acceptable." The album concludes with "Word 2 the Father," a prayer-like song from the dc Talk boys....
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dc Talk - Free At Last - The Music: 10th Anniversary
dc Talk's Free at Last changed the landscape of Contemporary Christian music forever. Never had an album quite like this ever been released in the realm of Christian music. Free at Last rocked Christian youth with its style and sound, but the lyrics were almost unmatched. The album spent an industry record of 34 weeks at number one, and gained the group unprecedented success. Ten years since its histroic release, comes a tribute album to the record-breaking record. But the question is, "after all these, how does it sound?"
Free at Last jumpstarts with "Luv is a Verb," which talks about love as an action and mixes its message with an unbeatable funk sound. Right after "Luv is a Verb" ends, Toby jumps right into "That Kinda Girl" with a fast-paced rap break. This track addresses the Proverbs 31 woman and is one of the strongest tracks on the album. "Jesus is Just Alright" comes next, and is another solid upbeat track. "Say the Words" slows it down, but is no doubt another fantastic song. "Socially Acceptable" keeps the music going. "Socially" features Kevin and Michael on vocals, but Toby still breaks it down with his signature raps.
The old hymn "Free at Last" is served up next. The song features a choir, and Toby rapping the verses. This is no doubt a huge twist from the original, but this version is a standout on the album. "Time Is..." follows, and is a rock filled anthem talking about why we need not waste our opportunities for Christ in this world....
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dc Talk - Solo
When the trio DC Talk released their best-of album Intermission in 2000, many thought it was the end of the group's collaboration. However, members Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kmax assured listeners that the project and one-year break they were taking were merely the beginning of more to come, not only from DC Talk as a whole, but from the three as individual artists. Solo, the 2001 EP from DC Talk, is a preview of McKeehan, Tait, and Kmax's solo projects, all released in 2001. The album opens with a live recording of "40 Live" from DC Talk, followed by two songs from Tait's album Empty. "Alibi" is rock influenced, with strong adult contemporary/alternative stylings. It is definitely one of the EP's strongest offerings, speaking of continual excuses in a relationship and the pain it incurs. "All You Got" builds on "Alibi," however is musically more mellow. Tait provides driving rhythms, stirring vocals, and a sound that leaves the listener longing for more. The songs "Return of the Singer" and "Be" come from Kmax's album Stereotype Be. Musically, he leans toward alternative, at times techno-influenced, rock in "Return of the Singer" and a slightly subdued alternative rock sound in "Be," a song encouraging individuals to be true to who they are....
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dc Talk - Intermission: The Greatest Hits
Anyone who has been into Christian music for the last ten years will immediately agree that dc talk has been one of the most prominent and successful groups of the '90s. They've sold lots of albums, released several #1 singles, crossed over to mainstream radio, and earned numerous Dove and Grammy awards. They've also done something relatively unheard of in the music business by reinventing themselves with every album (from rap to pop to rock, with everything inbetween) and still maintaining one of the strongest fan bases in Christian music. After an 11-year career, dc talk is certainly worthy of a greatest hits album.
For the most part, Intermission: The Greatest Hitsworks. The album is stuffed with dc talk's biggest hits: "Jesus Freak," "Luv Is a Verb," "Between You and Me," "Colored People," and "In the Light," to name just a few. There are some welcome additions to the collection for the longtime fans as well. Included is a remix of "The Hardway" that is a little lighter and less hip-hop than the original. Also, there's a completely remixed version of "Say the Words" that has a stronger dance-techno feel to it. I also like the inclusion of "My Will" from the Exodus project and the cover of Larry Norman's classic "I Wish We'd All Been Ready," neither of which have appeared on a dc talk album until now.
There are two new songs on Intermission. "Chance" is a relaxed folk/acoustic song about the opportunities to serve and minister to others; it's the brighter, more positive flip side to their previous hit "What If I Stumble" (also included on the album). "Sugar Coat It," a song about letting our light shine, reminded me a little of early Jars of Claywith its mix of acoustic guitars and driving drum patterns. Both new songs are as good as past songs from the group, and fit nicely on the album....
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dc Talk - Supernatural
It's that time again. Yup, it seems to be the trend that every three years, dc Talk decides to release another major project, preceded by a side project (like a long-form video or live album). They're known for their energetic shows, elaborate well-produced songs, and catchy radio-friendly tunes. Will we be disappointed with this new effort? Not at all.
dc T never ceases to suprise & amaze us. On Supernatural, the trio decides to be more experimental & creative than ever. The disc starts off with "It's Killing Me," a hard-rocker that starts off slow & builds up. "My Friend So Long" is one the major differences on the album. It starts off as almost punk and breaks into a chorus that sounds vintage oldies. It sounds almost like they wrote the song with their live back-up, who we all know of as Zilch. "Since I Met You" is probably the most bizarre song on the project. It starts off coming across as another typical ballad and turns into a punk/rock-ish song, before taking a turn to pop/rock....
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dc Talk - Welcome to the Freak Show: Live in Concert
By capturing DC Talk on stage, Live In Concert -- Welcome to the Freak Show functions as a vital greatest hits album. Despite their many virtues, DC Talk's albums can occasionally sound constrained and guarded. Welcome to the Freak Show remedies that situation, as it relies on the group's frentic, kinetic energy and interplay with the audience. The group runs through all of their best-known songs, delivering each with vigor. For the uninitiated, this is the best place to become acquainted with the group, and longtime fans will cherish this document of DC Talk at the peak of their powers....
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dc Talk - In The Light
It's not clear why this great song was re-released as a single nearly 10 years after it was a hit on DC Talk's classic, Jesus Freak. Perhaps to win the attention of those who missed it? Or maybe to improve it using studio tools that are 10 years better? Either way, the Charlie Peacock tune, complete with its U2 overtones, is worth it....
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dc Talk - Jesus Freak
After building a dedicated following with three albums of Christian hip-hop, dc Talk make a play for crossover success with Jesus Freak. As the title indicates, the group members haven't abandoned their religious base. What they have done is expand their musical palette. Retaining a solid hip-hop foundation, the trio add elements of soul, psychedelic rock, and pop, making Jesus Freak their most ambitious album to date. It also happens to be their best. dc Talk fuse their diverse influences together with style and grace, making the music sound seamless. The lyrics frequently avoid standard cliches, managing to celebrate Christianity without sounding preachy. With its musical diversity and well-crafted lyrics, Jesus Freak is the album that will convince secular listeners that dc Talk is worth a listen....
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dc Talk - Jesus Freak Single
On the first of August in 1995, dc Talk released the first glimpse of something huge to come from the band. The Jesus Freak Single featured the title cut from the band's forthcoming album, to follow up to their wildly successful hip hop album Free At Last. dc Talk was a force to be reckoned with in Christian music and the stylistic shift from the pop/rap stylings of their early work to their more grunge rock approach with "Jesus Freak" was a shock to the system. dc Talk had a near complete reinvention on their hands.
Now, over eleven years later, "Jesus Freak" needs no introduction, but it's a song that offered a deceiving acoustic introduction that exploded into an edgy electric-guitar driven rock anthem with attitude and passion. "Jesus Freaks" (by definition - ardent enthusiasts of Jesus Christ) everywhere had a theme song that was cool and aggressive, making no bones about their faith, "What will people think when they hear that I'm a Jesus Freak? / What will people do when they find that it's true? / I don't really care if they label me a Jesus Freak / There ain't no disguising the truth."
The Jesus Freak Single was a gem in and of itself as it contained an exclusive remix of the title track that wouldn't be available anywhere else until 2006's Jesus Freak 10th Anniversary Special Edition release. The "Gotee Bros. Freaked Out Remix" was more in the same vibe as classic dc Talk, feeling much like a remix, but also more like it was the same band that had made a record like Free At Last. This remix also included a new rap verse from Toby McKeehan exclusive to this version, solidifying it as a real fan treat. In addition to the remix, a live version of "I Wish We'd All Been Ready," the band's contribution to One Way: The Songs Of Larry Norman, is also included, preceding another single exclusive - a fantastic live version of "Jesus Is Just Alright" that is labeled simply as "Live Bonus Cut" on the back cover....
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dc Talk - Free At Last Extended Play Remixes
On a hot, balmy, June day, I asked my mom to take me to the local entertainment superstore (no, I wasn't old enough to drive, yet) to save me from dying of boredom. When I entered the store, I decided to browse the Christian music section. As I searched for something interesting, I came upon a used copy of Free at Last Extended Play Remixes. I looked around some more and finally checked out. As I handed the cashier the CD, she informed me that it would be 8 dollars. "Wow!" I thought, "8 bucks for a used CD with four songs on it." I decided to purchase it, as it made my dc Talk CD collection even more extensive (I claim to own every album, but I'm sure there's something I don't own).
One day, a month or so later, I was looking through my CDs trying to find something to listen to when I came across this disc. The album kicks off with the Techno Mix of "Jesus is Just Alright." It takes almost a full minute and a half to hear the first verse, and the second verse is nearly another minute and a half away. Interestingly enough, the third verse is completely omitted. For the last two minutes of the song, all you hear is the beat, virtually no vocals. The next song, the Retro Mix of "Jesus is Just Alright" is essentially the same as the first. The verses are spread apart and the choruses are somewhat inaudible. Again, the third verse is completely omitted. The only variance in this remix is there is a bit of a salsa feel at times. The Gotee Mix of "Luv is a Verb" follows....
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dc Talk - Free At Last
In 1992, Mad About You and Northern Exposure were popular among TV viewers, Brendan Fraser made his big screen debut in Encino Man, and exercise fanatics rushed out to buy the Thighmaster. While groups like House of Pain and Mr. Big were dominating in mainstream music, one group of hip-hoppers released an album that would forever change the Christian music industry. Enter in the most critically acclaimed project of DC Talk's career, Free At Last. Coming back from a year and a half following the fanbase they gained from 1990's Nu Thang, DCT opted for a fresher and more polished album that would literally outdo their previous efforts. Under the producing helm of Mark Heimmerman, Free At Last is officially solidified as one of the best selling albums ever in the Christian market.
Songs such as "Luv Is a Verb" (summarizing that we should love one another as God does) and "That Kinda Girl" (a brief synopsis of Proverbs 31) brought forth beats and lyrics that remain unmatched by today's hot rap groups. This album produced several radio hits, such as the racial harmony-invoked "Socially Acceptable" and the group's dance/pop remake of the Doobie Brothers' classic "Jesus Is Just Alright," with original lyrics composed by TobyMac himself. A personal favorite of mine is DC Talk's hip-hop take on Bill Withers' "Lean On Me," which includes a rap break in from Toby that is totally mind-blowing. Free At Last also gave more opportunity for vocalists Michael and Kevin to take over lead vocal responsibilities as shown in songs like "Say the Words," "The Hardway," and "Socially Acceptable" while continuing to keep a constant hip-hop presence throughout each track....
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dc Talk - Nu Thang
Although dc talk are widely known today for their flawless pop-rock anthems, many still remember them for their earlier hip-hop days back in the early 90's. Nestled comfortably between their (almost-horrible) debut album and the near-classic Free At Last, Nu Thang showcases dc talk's transition and maturity quite well. Whereas, their self-titled debut sounded like it was recorded in someone's garage - with nothing more than a drum machine and some loops - Nu Thang is more similar to Free At Last, almost sounding like its predecessor.
The first thing you notice about Nu Thang is that each vocalist has improved since the first album. Once sounding like background-singers in their own group, Michael Tait and Kevin (Max) Smith, are each given more freedom vocally this time around. Their voices are more prominent in the arrangements and each of them even get their own solo spotlight on two songs, with Kmax taking the chorus for "Things of This World" and Tait handling "Children Can Live (Without It)." Even Toby McKeehan's raps have improved. Although still a tad on the clichéd side, Toby's lyrics tackle serious issues such as racism ("Walls"), abortion ("Children Can Live"), and taking God for granted ("Take it to the Lord").
There are plenty of highlights on this album too. The opener "When DC Talks" is a great mission statement on what the band is about. "Walls" is a strong anthem against racism with a rock-infused sound, sounding kinda like "Time Is" from Free At Last. "Talk it out" and "Can I get a Witness" are also two great songs, both as catchy as anything on Free At Last. However, there are a couple of spots where the album falls flat - "Take it to the Lord" sounds uninspired and "No More" is just plain corny with its "boycott sin" message....
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dc Talk - dc Talk
Look out dc Talk fans! This is not an album I would recomend if you are a fan of dc Talk's later material. If you like '80's rap, you might find it okay though.
The album begins with a strong trumpet intro followed by drums and Toby's vocals. Mike and Kevin sing the chorus while Toby raps the verses. Towards the end of the song is another blistering trumpet solo and pretty quickly, it's over.
"Gah Ta Be" follows, and talks about having to be saved to get to heaven. Once again, a good message, but unless you like the 1980's style of rap, it's not really a great song. "The King (Allelujah)" is a bit different from most of the other songs on the album. It begins with a distorted guitar riff and moves into a rap verse. Kevin Max sounds great on this one, as does Michael Tait.
Next comes "Spinnin' Round" which is all in all not a good song but does offer a good simple message. "Voices Praise Him" is a simple song about praising the Lord, and starts off with Mike and Kevin singing a bit from the chorus and Toby goes into a rap. "He Loves Me" begins with Michael singing the classic verses of "Jesus Loves Me," and yes, he has a good voice, but I would consider this song a poor attempt at modernizing "Jesus Loves Me." "He Loves Me" is the last song of a very short 8 track album that is not nearly as good as dc Talk's later material....
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Friday, September 19, 2008
Charting Single
| Year | Title | Chart Positions[1] | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 | US Adult Top 40 | US Adult Contemporary | US Top 40 Mainstream | |||
| 1996 | "Between You and Me" | #29 | #11 | #24 | #15 | Jesus Freak |
Grammy Awards
| Title | Year | Label(s) | Award name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free at Last | 1993 | ForeFront | Best Rock Gospel Album |
| Jesus Freak | 1996 | ForeFront | Best Rock Gospel Album |
| Welcome to the Freak Show | 1997 | ForeFront | Best Rock Gospel Album |
| Solo | 2001 | ForeFront Virgin | Best Rock Gospel Album |
Gospel Music Awards
| Name | Year | Award Title |
|---|---|---|
| Nu Thang | 1991 | Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year |
| I Love Rap Music | 1992 | Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year |
| Rap, Rock & Soul | 1992 | Long Form Music Video of the Year |
| Can I Get a Witness? | 1993 | Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year |
| Jesus Is Just Alright | 1994 | Rock Recorded Song of the Year |
| Socially Acceptable | 1994 | Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year |
| Luv Is A Verb | 1995 | Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year |
| dc Talk | 1996 | Artist of the Year |
| Jesus Freak | 1996 | Rock Recorded Song of the Year |
| Jesus Freak | 1996 | Song of the Year |
| Between You and Me | 1997 | Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year |
| Like It, Love It, Need It | 1997 | Rock Recorded Song of the Year |
| Jesus Freak | 1997 | Short Form Music Video of the Year |
| Colored People | 1998 | Short Form Music Video of the Year |
| Exodus | 1999 | Special Event Album of the Year |
| The Supernatural Experience | 2000 | Long Form Music Video of the Year |
| Dive | 2001 | Modern Rock Recorded Song of the Year |
Videography
| Title | Year | RIAA Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Rap, Rock, and Soul | 1991 | |
| Narrow is the Road | 1994 | Gold |
| Welcome to the Freak Show | 1997, 2003 | Gold |
| The Supernatural Experience | 1999, 2003 | |
| Free at Last: the Movie | 2002 |
Literature
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Jesus Freaks | 1999 |
| Live Like a Jesus Freak | 2001 |
| Jesus Freaks Volume II: Stories of Revolutionaries Who Changed Their World Fearing God, Not Man | 2002 |
| Jesus Freaks: Revolutionaries | 2005 |
| Jesus Freaks: Martyrs | 2005 |
dc Talk discography
dc Talk (also DC Talk and dc talk) is a Christian rock band formed in the late 1980s in Lynchburg, Virginia by Toby McKeehan, Kevin Max, and Michael Tait. They began as a hip hop group, but in the mid-90s they reinvented themselves as a pop/rock group. In both instances, they found critical and commercial success in both the Christian music industry as well as the general market.
| Title | Year | Label(s) | Chart Positions [1] | RIAA Certification | CRIA Certification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Billboard 200 | Top Contemporary Christian | |||||
| DC Talk | 1989 | ForeFront | — | 10 | — | — |
| Nu Thang | 1990 | ForeFront | — | 5 | Gold | — |
| Free at Last | 1992 | ForeFront | — | 1 | Platinum | — |
| Free at Last: Extended Play Remixes | 1994 | ForeFront | — | 35 | — | — |
| Jesus Freak | 1995 | ForeFront Virgin | 16 | 1 | 2x Platinum | Gold |
| Welcome to the Freak Show | 1997 | ForeFront | 109 | 3 | Gold | — |
| Supernatural | 1998 | ForeFront Virgin | 4 | 1 | Platinum | — |
| Intermission: the Greatest Hits | 2000 | ForeFront | 81 | 3 | Gold | — |
| Solo:Special Edition | 2001 | ForeFront | 142 | 5 | — | — |
| The Early Years | 2006 | ForeFront | — | — | — | — |
| Jesus Freak: 10th Anniversary Special Edition | 2006 | ForeFront | — | — | — | — |
| Greatest Hits | 2007 | ForeFront | — | — | — | — |
* 1992 - Rap, Rock, and Soul
* 1994 - Narrow is the Road
* 1997, 2003 - Welcome to the Freak Show, (RIAA certified Gold)
* 1999, 2003 - The Supernatural Experience
* 2002 - Free at Last: the Movie
Singles
| No | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Heavenbound" | DC Talk |
| 2 | "I Luv Rap Music" | Nu Thang |
| 3 | "Can I Get A Witness?" | |
| 4 | "Jesus Is Just Alright" | Free At Last |
| 5 | "Socially Acceptable" | |
| 6 | "Luv Is A Verb" | |
| 7 | "The Hardway" | |
| 8 | "Jesus Freak" | Jesus Freak |
| 9 | "Between You and Me" | |
| 10 | "What If I Stumble?" | |
| 11 | "Like It, Love It, Need It" | |
| 12 | "Colored People" | |
| 13 | "In The Light" | |
| 14 | "Mind's Eye" | |
| 15 | "Into Jesus" | Supernatural |
| 16 | "Consume Me" | |
| 17 | "My Friend (So Long)" | |
| 18 | "Dive" | |
| 19 | "My Will" | Exodus |
| 20 | "Godsend" | Supernatural |
| 21 | "Wanna Be Loved" | |
| 22 | "Supernatural" | |
| 23 | "Say The Words (Now)" | Intermission: the Greatest Hits |
Other activities
Apart from music, the members of dc Talk have involved themselves in other activities.
Literature
The group co-authored two books titled, Jesus Freaks and Jesus Freaks II in collaboration with The Voice of the Martyrs. The books contain the shortened biographies and incidents in the lives of famous and lesser-known Christians who stood up for their faith.
In 2004, Toby McKeehan and Michael Tait reunited to write a book called "Under God". The book chronicles America's struggle with racism. Featured in the book are stories about Rosa Parks, Emmett Till, and Martin Luther King, Jr.. They also released a sequel called, "Living Under God", following the same formula.
* Jesus Freaks (1999)
* Live Like a Jesus Freak (2001)
* Jesus Freaks Volume II: Stories of Revolutionaries Who Changed Their World Fearing God, Not Man (2002)
* Jesus Freaks: Revolutionaries (2005)
* Jesus Freaks: Martyrs (2005)
E.R.A.C.E.
In 1998, the group founded the E.R.A.C.E. foundation (Eliminating Racism And Creating Equality) to combat racism.[11] The foundation was started after four years of discussion and planning with manager Dan Pitts and Gotee Records President, Joey Elwood.
The primary aim of the foundation is to educate and equip America's youth with "an understanding of the importance of interracial unity". The foundation works on healing historically divided groups and healing rifts within the society.[11]
E.R.A.C.E. was launched in September 1997 when dc Talk participated in the "Racial Reconciliation Rally" in Little Rock, Ark. The rally was part of a weeklong emphasis on racial
reconciliation.
Christian Music Links!
Solo efforts
tobyMac
Main article: tobyMac
Toby McKeehan assumed the stage name of tobyMac, a name that was first mentioned in the lyrics of "Jesus Is Still Alright" when McKeehan rapped, "tobyMac, and the Mac is back no slack" . He has focused mostly on the pop/hip-hop genre. His first solo album was Momentum. It was released in 2001 and included the hits, "J Train," "Somebody's Watching Me," "Irene," "Extreme Days," "Get this Party Started," and "Love is in the House." Since then, he has released two other full albums and two remixed albums. Welcome to Diverse City came out in 2004, containing "Diverse City," "Catchafire (Whoopsi-Daisy)," "Gone," "Burn for You," and the remix of "Atmosphere," which featured his former bandmates. Portable Sounds came out in February 2007 and debuted at #10 on the Billboard 200.[9] This album contains "Made to Love". He has had considerable success in the mainstream market.
Tait
Main article: Michael Tait
Michael Tait pursued his solo efforts with the band, Tait. The band's first release was Empty, which included the single Loss for Words. Lose This Life was the follow-up album released in 2003. It contained the singles Lose This Life, God Can You Hear Me, and a hidden track, Christmas Song.[10] Tait is planning to release Loveology in 2007, an album he has been working on for a few years.[citation needed] Tait also featured in the Rock Opera !Hero, as the main character, Hero. The production is a modern retelling of Jesus' life, as if he were born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Kevin Max
Main article: Kevin Max
Kevin Max has released five albums since the group's hiatus. Stereotype Be was released by Forefront Records in 2001, and included the singles You, Be, and Existence. Between the Fence and the Universe was an EP released by Northern Records in 2004. The Imposter was released in 2005 by Northern Records. Holy Night, a Christmas album, was also released in 2005 by Northern Records. The Blood was released on December 26, 2007 by Infinity Music Distribution. It featured covers of several well known gospel songs, both classic and contemporary, as well the original song One Way, One Blood. The Blood featured collaborations with several other artists, including dc Talk, Chris Sligh, Amy Grant, and others.
Kevin enjoys updating his fans with blog posts and video blogs on his website, and since leaving the group has had more children.
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Musical career
Name Origin
It has been widely believed that the explanation for the group's name is "decent Christian talk"; the lyrics of the songs Time Ta Jam, from their self-titled debut, and When DC Talks, from their second release Nu Thang support this.
You see D's for Decent, and you will agree "Quite explicit yet rated G Because I rhyme hard, and I speak facts And there's no need to curse when I bust a rap And C for Christian, 'cause that's what I am Not a soft sissy, I know how to jam Pack a party for the Father above Intense rhymes tell of ultimate love Talk is for the lyrics, they're full of Spirit" - Time Ta Jam
"D is for decent, I mean what I say But obscene, I don't play that way C is for Christ, to the I-A-N" - When DC Talks
However, the name was initially chosen because McKeehan was from the Washington D.C. area, but ForeFront marketed them as "decent Christian talk" to gain audience in the then-obscure Christian hip hop arena.
The Early Stages (1987-1991)
Beginning Stages (1987-1988)
The band's roots trace back to the late 1980s, when rapper/vocalist Toby McKeehan (tobyMac) started writing Christian hip hop under the moniker Caucatalk. Michael Tait had recorded an independent demo Burden Lifter.[3] While attending Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, McKeehan met Michael Tait, and the two formed DC Talk and the One Way Crew.[4] They released a demo tape titled, Christian Rhymes to a Rhythm. Subsequently, Kevin Max (formerly Kevin Smith) joined the group, and they signed a recording contract with Forefront Records.
DC Talk
After signing the recording contract with ForeFront the group released their self-titled debut album in 1989. They gained a little crossover success when the "Heavenbound" music video received airplay on the BET network.
Nu Thang
Their second release, Nu Thang, and a Christmas album titled Yo, Ho, Ho!, were released in 1990.[5] Nu Thang received attention for its hip hop/pop stylings (a la M.C. Hammer, Fresh Prince and Public Enemy, whom they frequently sampled on Free at Last).[citation needed] By 1991, the trio was opening for Michael W. Smith and was awarded a Dove Award.[5][2] The release of their Rap, Rock, n' Soul video garnered a wider audience for the group.
Beginning Success (1992-1994)
Free at Last
In 1992, the group released Free at Last, which eventually went platinum. The album produced six Christian radio hits[citation needed] and it stayed at the #1 spot on the Billboard CCM sales charts for 34 weeks.[5][2] Free at Last also garnered the group's first Grammy award for Best Rock Gospel Album in 1994.[5] The success of the album is attributed to the group moving away from a strictly rap sound to a blend of hip hop and pop.[2] The album also prompted the filming of a movie with the same name.
Free at Last The Movie
During the Free at Last tour the band was followed around by camera crews filming the band for a documentary. This documentary was going to be released as a movie and was heavily promoted on Lightmusic TV, a Christian music video show. After months of teaser trailers, they abruptly stopped being shown. A trailer included in the enhanced CD single of Jesus Freak advertised a September 17th 1995 theatrical release date for the film. The film was never released to theaters, as it could not find a distributor.[6] Eight years after the film was to be released theatrically, the movie was finally released on DVD in unfinished form. Some of the footage used for the movie was shown in the video for The Hardway.
Mainstream Success (1995-1999)
Jesus Freak
Jesus Freak, was released in 1995, and it achieved the highest first week sales of any Christian release in history.[5] This album had a more pop-rock oriented sound, with little hip hop to be found. The music was much more similar to a fusion of the musical stylings of Nirvana, and U2, than M.C. Hammer. [7] The album also introduced the group to the secular audience; Between You and Me reached #12 on Casey's Top 40 while the video received regular airtime on MTV and VH1.[5] With the release of the album, the group launched a massive tour titled the Freakshow Tour,[5] which took the trio across the United States, Canada and Europe. The group released a live video titled Live in Concert: Welcome To The Freak Show which contained footage from the Freakshow tour.[2] An audio CD of the soundtrack from the video was also released under the same title. Jesus Freak also marked a milestone in the group's career as they signed a deal with Virgin Records in 1996 to distribute their music to the mainstream market.
Supernatural
Supernatural, released in 1998, was their last all-new studio album. Upon release, the album overtook Jesus Freak to set a new record for the highest first week sales for a Christian release.[5] It debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 charts, an unprecedented event for a Christian rock album.[2] Supernatural abandoned the hip hop/rap style found on the group's earlier releases to settle for the pop/rock sound.[2] The group has stated in The Supernatural Experience video that this album was different; it was a collaborative effort of all three members.[2] The songs "Consume Me" and "My Friend (So Long)" received their fair share of radio play on Modern Rock, Contemporary Christian, and Alternative outlets. The group then embarked an a 60-city tour across the United States titled, The Supernatural Experience. Footage from the tour was combined with interviews and released as The Supernatural Experience video.
In 2000, dc Talk hosted a show titled "Intermission: A Decade of dc Talk".[3] A compilation album titled Intermission was then released. Intermission... contains many of their previously recorded songs either remixed or in their original formats. Two new songs, Chance and Sugar Coat It, were recorded for the album.
Hiatus (2000)
In 2000, the members announced that they would be taking a break from the group to pursue solo efforts. They released Solo: Special Edition EP, which contained two new songs from each member's solo ventures and a live version of "40" performed by the group.
Post Hiatus (2002-20??)
2002
In September 2002, dc Talk reunited to record and release a single about the September 11, 2001 attacks, entitled "Let's Roll." The group also released a 10th Anniversary Edition of their 1992 album Free At Last, which includes all of the songs from the original album (including interludes), a 2002 remake of their hit song The Hardway, as well as a commentary at the end. The Special Edition releases also include the DVD of their Free At Last documentary, as well as the music videos for The Hardway and Jesus Is Just Alright.
2004
In 2004, dc Talk reunited for a remix of tobyMac's "Atmosphere" as the final track of the Welcome to Diverse City album.
2005
In September 2005, dc Talk briefly reunited during a concert on September 12, in Redmond, Washington state. They played the songs, "In the Light" and "Jesus Freak."
2006
On January 12, 2006, Gotee Records (founded by dc Talk's tobyMac) announced the production of a 10th anniversary Jesus Freak tribute album entitled, FREAKED!. This album, which was released in June 2006, features songs from such Gotee Records artists as Relient K, Sarah Kelly, House of Heroes, Verbs, Liquid, and Family Force 5. It also features a reunion of the Gotee Brothers.
In August 2006, an album titled The Early Years was released. It is a compilation of songs from their first three albums.
On December 26, 2006, a 10th Anniversary Special Edition Jesus Freak album was released.
2007
In 2007, dc Talk covered the Prince penned song "The Cross", featuring on Kevin's album, "The Blood"
Reunion (20??)
There were rumors of a possible reunion tour, though Kevin Max denied the rumors. He wrote on his official website's message board, "DC Talk is something of the past. In order for DC Talk to be anything of the future, it will be up to each individual member to come together to create something that is lasting and substantial. There is an audience out there interested in seeing DC Talk back together as a group and as an entertaining and creative force, but I feel that the spirit of the thing is dead. I appreciated the time that we had together those many years, and I thank God many times over for allowing me to be a part of something that was so far reaching and helped so many people, but to be honest, just doing a show to do a show is not interesting to me. It must be thought out, creative and passionate."
In a recent concert, Michael Tait denied rumours of dc Talk's coming back, saying that he was focusing now on his band, Tait.
Despite the lack of a recent group CD, Christian radio stations continue to play the band's music heavily. As the three friends find success separately, millions of fans across the world hopefully wait for dc Talk to reunite. In a recent interview, Tobymac talked about a possible reunion tour "at some point".
It has been mentioned, as of 2007, by certain members of DC Talk management that there may be some type of reunion (whether album, tour, or both, is not certain) in the fall of 2008.[8] This could be an anniversary reunion, as the first album was released in 1989.
At the close of the Life Light Music Festival in Sioux Falls, SD, on Sunday, September 2, 2007, Michael Tait and Tobymac performed "Jesus Freak" and "In The Light" together with Mr. McKeehan's band The Diverse City Band. Earlier that night, Tait was asked "When's that reunion gonna happen?" by a fan. Tait replied with, "I don't know man. You tell me!" When that fan offered, "Here, next year," Tait came back with, "We'll see. Next year should be even better!"
Collaborations
* They collaborated with Carman on his Addicted to Jesus lullaby.
* They collaborated with CCM artist, Steven Curtis Chapman on his 1992 album, The Great Adventure with the track Got 2 b tru. The track begins with a bit of rap from the song, "Nu Thang", and continues with Steven Curtis Chapman starting to rap. The rest of the band comes in later, with Toby rapping the second verse.
* dc Talk sang a cover version of the Larry Norman original, "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" on the album One Way: The Songs Of Larry Norman which was released by Forefront in 1995.
* They participated in Rocketown Records's Exodus album in 1998 with the song, "My Will".
* They contributed in 1998 to The Prince of Egypt Inspirational Soundtrack with the song, "My Deliverer," and to The Prince of Egypt Soundtrack on the song "Humanity," which featured a number of well-known musicians.
* They also sang a Rich Mullins song on Michael W. Smith's "Tribute to Rich Mullins" also featuring other Christian artists such as Jars of Clay and Amy Grant.
* They sang back-up vocals on Michael McDonald's cover of the Marvin Gaye Classic Ain't That Peculiar
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