Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music News Report

DC Talk Celebrates 25th Anniversary of JESUS FREAK with Special Edition Releases, Contest, More




RSS Icon 

NEWS SOURCE: The Media Collective
November 20, 2020

Nashville, TN.... November 21, 2020 - The best-selling group in the history of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), DC Talk, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their RIAA double-platinum album, Jesus Freak with a collection of releases, contests and more, all kicking off today. 
 
“This record was more the three of us than anything we had ever done together up to that point” says TobyMac, who was also the albums co-producer. “This was the first album that sounded like Michael, Kevin and Toby. Those guys are such great vocalists that I didn’t have any more time for them to sing choruses. I wanted to hear some of their passionate vocals in the verses and beyond. Looking back I am so glad that we took a hip hop touring group and added guitars and rock to transform and grow the sound. We went into that house that we turned into a studio, with no formula and said musically whatever comes out comes out. We kept the same goal in mind, to use our music and platform to point people to God. 
 
A previously unreleased video from a 1995 Michael Tait Vocal Session demo was also unveiled in honor of the silver anniversary of Jesus Freak. The video is available now on YouTube, and also features original photos from the recording of the album in 1995. Simultaneously, YouVersion has partnered with DC Talk to provide devotional content.

The “Jesus Freak” album has also been re-released and broken down into three, thematic digital EPs. Titles, “What Will People Think,” “Human After All,” and “Trying to Find a Life,” present a deeper dive into the devotional themes of DC Talk’s iconic album. EPs available on all digital streaming platforms.

“When we were finishing up the project, we played Jesus Freak for the the label for the first time and, let's just say, it wasn't received well” says album producer and Jesus Freak song co-writer Mark Heimermann. “I later heard that they thought it was the beginning of the end for dc Talk. Funny now for sure, but they were wise enough to trust Toby and keep riding that dc Talk train. We won the Dove Award for “Song of The Year” in 1996 for Jesus Freak and I think we were both shocked. Up until that year, it was always the most conservative music that would win. It was truly ground breaking within the industry. To see 80,000 people at a Billy Graham Crusade singing a song that you were a part of is overwhelming and beyond humbling. Evidently it found its time. The Church needed passionate anthems for its generation and I truly believe God used Jesus Freak to inspire millions of people – believers and non-believers alike.”
 
One of the top 20 records of all time in CCM, fans will be excited to celebrate and participate in a JF25 contest, where 25 curated giveaways will be available to win, including a limited edition box set with a vinyl copy and expanded Jesus Freak book with new stories added. To enter the contest, go HERE. The re-release of the book and a the box set are also available now and can be purchased here.

 All DC Talk social media channels are active and fun for fans to follow as well, with lots of previously never-seen-before content and more. The band can be found @dctalkofficial on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.




###


For more info on DC Talk, visit the JFH Artists Database.


 



Leave a Comment

 

 

News Report Archives

[2025]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2024]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2001 - Present]
Visit our complete MUSIC NEWS ARCHIVE

 



Return to Main News Page

 

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images