dC Talk
DC Talk |
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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.[1]
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.[2]
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.[5][3]
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.[citation needed]
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.[2]
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.[5]
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.[5][2]
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.[citation needed]
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.
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 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
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
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.[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.[11]
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 | |
| Free at Last: the Movie | 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[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 |
References
- ^ a b Billboard Singles, Allmusic.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Soupernatural Movie Soundtrack - dc Talk Bio
- ^ a b c dc Talk Timeline
- ^ DC Talk Timeline
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k dc Talk homepage
- ^ Film as Art: Danél Griffin's Guide to Cinema
- ^ DC Talk allmusic profile
- ^ CMSpin.com: TobyMac interview
- ^ Christianrock.net News
- ^ Jesusfreakhideout.com: Tait Discography
- ^ a b c the E.R.A.C.E. foundation - our history