{{lowercase}}{{Unreferenced|date=December 2006}}{{Infobox_band Infobox_Contents | band_name topic_name = dc DC Talk | image subtopics = Member: [[Image:Dc Talk.jpg|200pxMichael Tait]] | years_active = * [[1989Kevin Max]]–* [[2000TobyMac]] | status = On hiatus | origin = {{flagicon|USA}} * Albums: [[Lynchburg, VirginiaJesus Freak (album)|Jesus Freak]] | country = * Songs: [[United StatesColored People (song)|Colored People]] | music_genre = * [[Christian rockConsume Me (song)|Consume Me]]* [[Christian hip hopInto Jesus (song)|Into Jesus]] | record_label = * [[ForeFront Records]] Jesus Freak (song)| current_members = [[Toby McKeehanJesus Freak]]<br/>* [[Kevin MaxMy Deliverer (song)|My Deliverer]]<br/>* [[Michael TaitWhat if I Stumble (song)|What If I Stumble]] | opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |}} '''dc Talk''' (also ''originally '''DC Talk''''' and '''''dc talk''''') was is a [[Contemporary Christian music|Christian rockMusic]] (CCM) band formed in the late [[1980s]] in [[Lynchburg. It has been said that their name means "decent Christian talk", Virginia]] by [[Toby McKeehan]]although this is not certain. Their fourth album, [[Kevin Max]], and [[Michael Tait]]. They began as a [[hip hop musicJesus Freak (album)|hip hopJesus Freak]] group, but in debuted higher on the mid-90s they reinvented themselves as a [[pop music|pop]]/[[rock US Billboard charts than any other gospel music|rock]] group. In both instances, they found critical and commercial success in both the [[Christian music industry]] as well as the [[music industry|general market]]history. In 2000, the group was put on hiatus as its members pursued their individual solo careers. <!-- The band Their latest album together is commonly recognized by both fans and critics alike, as ''Intermission: the greatest Christian rock band of all time{{fact}}. .... If you want an extraordinary claim like this in the article you really have to cite at least one sourceGreatest Hits''.-->
==History==
The band's roots trace back to the late 1980s, when rapper/vocalist Toby McKeehan (tobyMac) started writing [[Contemporary Christian Music|Christian]] [[hip hop music|hip hop]] under the moniker Caucatalk. While attending [[Liberty University]], he formed dc Talk by joining up with vocalists Kevin Max Smith (Kevin Max) and Michael Tait. The name is short for ''D''ecent ''C''hristian ''Talk''; the explanation can be found in the lyrics of the song "Time Ta Jam" which is on their self-titled debut album.
In 1989, the group released their self-titled debut album on ForeFront Records. They gained some crossover success when the "Heavenbound" music video received airplay on the [[BET]] network. Their follow-up album, ''[[Nu Thang]]'' (1990), also received attention for its hip hop/pop stylings (a la [[M.C. Hammer]], [[Will Smith|Fresh Prince]] and [[Public Enemy]], whom they frequently sample on ''[[Free at Last (dc Talk album)|Free at Last]]'').
[[image:Dctalk.jpg|thumb|DC Talk, 1989]]
Their third release, 1992's ''[[Free at Last (dc Talk album)|Free at Last]]'', was a tremendous success, producing six [[Christian radio]] hits. It was notable for its innovative blending of musical genres, combining [[hip hop music|hip hop]] with [[pop music|pop]], [[rock music|rock]], and [[gospel music|gospel]].
The group's best-known achievement, however, was their fourth album, 1995's ''[[Jesus Freak (album)|Jesus Freak]]''. This time, dc Talk had reinvented themselves as a [[pop music|pop]]-[[rock music|rock]] act, with little to no [[hip hop music|hip hop]] to be found. Now their music was much more similar to a fusion of the musical stylings of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[U2]] or the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] than [[M.C. Hammer]]. The album also produced several radio hits. This album has been cited as one of the milestones in [[Christian music]], as it appealed to a much wider audience and achieved much crossover success, having sold over 2 million copies. dc Talk capitalized on this phenomenal success by headlining a tour called "Welcome To The Freak Show", with live recordings later released on [[CD]] and [[VHS]]. They also wrote two books in collaboration with [[Voice of the Martyrs|The Voice of the Martyrs]], ''[[Jesus Freaks (book)|Jesus Freaks]]'' and ''Jesus Freaks II'', each containing dozens of profiles of famous and lesser known Christians who died for their faith.
Their last all-new album, ''[[Supernatural (dc Talk album)|Supernatural]]'' (1998), was not nearly the critical or commercial success as the previous two albums, but it also churned out its share of hits. The songs "Consume Me" & "My Friend (So Long)" received their fair share of radio play on Modern Rock, Contemporary Christian and Alternative outlets. dc Talk did release one last album titled ''[[Intermission: the Greatest Hits|Intermission]]'', but it had only two new song titles, and mostly either greatest hits or remixes of previous recorded songs.
The band started as the one-man act of [[Toby McKeehan]] of Washington D.C. He met [[Michael Tait]] and [[Kevin Max]] at Liberty University, and they decided to turn dc Talk also participated in into a band. They were soon signed with ForeFront Records, a popular gospel label. They moved to Nashville, [[Rocketown RecordsTennessee]]'s ''Exodus'' , where they released their self-titled debut album in 1998 with the song "My Will1989."
dc DC Talk 's music has been awarded four [[Grammy Awards]], as well as won numerous [[GMA Dove Awards]]. The group is notable for its stances against [[racism]] (especially in "Colored People", track two of ''Jesus Freak''), as well as the uncompromised [[Christian]] message in its musicalong with three Grammy Awards. "We're very open about our [[Christian]] faith," says Toby 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."
==Solo Efforts==In [[2000 in music|2000]], the trio announced that they would be producing attempting solo projectsacts. Since that timeMichael Tait's band ''Tait'' released ''Empty'' in July 2001, which was shortly followed by Kevin Max's ''Stereotype Be'' in August. Toby McKeehan, under the name "''tobyMac'', released an album named ''Momentum'' in November. Since then, tobyMac" has released three solo records ''Re:mix Momentum'' (five including remix albumsJuly 2003), Michael Tait and ''Welcome to Diverse City'' (with his bandOctober 2004), Tait) has released two''Lose This Life'' (November 2003), and Kevin Max has released threethe independent ''Between the Fence and the Universe'' (2004).
In [[September 2002]], dc Talk reunited to record and release a single about the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]11th, entitled "[[Let's roll|'Let's Roll]]''. At present, there are no known plans for a dc Talk reunion or a new album."
There were rumors of a possible reunion tour, though as of September [[2005]], =Albums=* DC Talk (1989)* Nu Thang (1990)* Free at Last (1992)* [[Kevin MaxJesus Freak (album)|Jesus Freak]] denies the rumors. He writes on his official website's message board, "DC Talk is something of the past. In order for DC Talk (1995)* Welcome 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 Freak Show (1997) (Live)* Supernatural (1998)* Intermission: 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."Greatest Hits (2000) (Greatest hits)
In a recent concert with his band Tait, Michael Tait denied rumours of dc Talk's coming back, saying that he was focusing now on Tait.=Songs=* [[Colored People (song)|Colored People]]* [[Consume Me (song)|Consume Me]]* [[Into Jesus (song)|Into Jesus]]* [[Jesus Freak (song)|Jesus Freak]]* [[My Deliverer (song)|My Deliverer]]* [[What if I Stumble (song)|What If I Stumble]]
In [[2005]], dc Talk reunited for a remix of tobyMac's "Atmosphere" as the final track of the ''[[Welcome to Diverse City (album)|Welcome to Diverse City]]'' album.==Quotes==
On ==Links==* [[January 12]], [[2006]], [[Gotee Records]] (founded by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dc_Talk Wikipedia - dc Talk's [[Toby McKeehan|Tobymac]]) announced the production of a 10th anniversary ''[[Jesus Freak (album)|Jesus Freak]]'' tribute album entitled ''[[Freaked!{{LMW|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.DC_Talk LifeMusic Wiki}}
In 2004, Toby McKeehan and Michael Tait reunited to write a book called "{{returnto}} [[Under GodChristianity]]". The book chronicles America's struggle with racism. Featured in the book are stories about -> [[Rosa ParksFamous Christians]], -> [[Emmett TillSong writers]], and [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]]. They also released a sequel called "Living Under God", following the same formula.
In September 2005, dc Talk briefly reunited during a concert in [[Washington]] state. They played the songs, In the Light and [[Jesus Freak (song)|Jesus Freak]].
In August 2006, an album titled ''[[The Early Years (dc Talk album)|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.
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 sometime in 2007.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
==Discography==
{| class="wikitable"
! Cover
! Title
! Year
! Label(s)
! The [[Billboard magazine|Billboard]] 200 <br/> Chart Position
*[http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=89491414 Michael Tait MySpace]
*[http://profile.myspace.com/kevinmaxmusic Kevin Max MySpace]
*[http://www.dctalkunite.com DcTalkUnite.com]
*[http://www.dct3.net dct3.net]
{{dc Talk}}
[[Category:Dc Talk| ]]
[[Category:Christian rock groups]]
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