Dc Talk Totally Explained

Everything about Dc Talk totally explained

dc Talk is a prominent Christian Rock/Rap band, partly responsible for the rise in popularity of the Contemporary Christian music genre during the 1990s. The band has been on hiatus since 2000. Since then, the members of the band have been pursuing solo careers.
The band, originally named DC Talk and later stylized as dc talk, was formed in the late 1980s in Lynchburg, Virginia by Toby McKeehan, Kevin Max Smith, and Michael Tait. It began as a hip hop group, but in the mid-90s changed their musical style to more of a pop rock sound. In both instances, they found critical and commercial success in both the Christian music industry as well as the general market.

Musical career

Beginning Stages (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. 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.

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'll 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 (1989-1991)

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. 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. 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. 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. 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!" === charcol –, 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.
Solo efforts

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's 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. This album contains "Made to Love". He has had considerable success in the mainstream market.
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. Tait is planning to release Loveology in 2007, an album he's been working on for a few years. 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
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.
Beliefs
The group is notable for its stances against racism (especially in "Colored People", second track of Jesus Freak), as well as the uncompromised Christian message in its music. "We're very open about our Christian faith," says McKeehan, "but when we make our records we want to create a musical experience that anyone can immerse themselves in." But still, he says, "one of our goals is to encourage listeners to question themselves and to seek out truth."
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. 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. E.R.A.C.E. was launched in September of 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.
Discography

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

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

2002

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

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

Charting Single

Year Title Chart Positions 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

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