DC Talk

Toby McKeehan (TobyMac), Michael Tait and Kevin Max Smith (Kevin Max) joined forces in the late '80s in the very "un-rock 'n' roll" city of Lynchburg, Va. A successful demo landed the group a deal with ForeFront Records in 1988. In the span of a few short years, the trio grew into one of the biggest acts in Christian music, introducing a heavenly brand of hip-hop to conservative church kids. Tracks like "Jesus Freak" became career-defining anthems and helped dc Talk achieve platinum success. Hip-hop gave way to more of a pop-rock sound as the band offered messages about abstinence, abortion and racism. Solo careers eventually came calling and the group went on indefinite hiatus in 2000.