Tony Cummings looks at the surprising emergence of CCM hitmakers DC TALK.

Now 'Free At Last' is breaking all kinds of sales records for a Christian rap album. On the album's release American trade publication 'CCM Update' conveyed the industry's excitement: "Two years ago, who would've guessed that, within six months of its release, 'Nu Thang' would make these three rascals the hottest item in Christian music? Since that album has clocked 105 weeks on the Billboard chart (and surpassed sales of 375,000 copies), expectations were quite high for the long-awaited 'Free At Last'...and the rapidly maturing crew does not disappoint. Toby McKeehan's raps are bold, pointed and confident; Michael Tait and Kevin Smith mix their gospel and rock vocals with McKeehan's musings for a hip-hop stew brimming with multi-format possibilities. The title cut explores race relations while other topics include premarital sex ("I Don't Want Your Sex" - take that George Michael!), virtuous women ("That Kinda Girl") and situation ethics ("Socially Acceptable"). Other stand-outs include "Two Honks And A Negro" (as heard on the Arsenio Hall Show) and re-makes of the Doobie Brothers' "Jesus Is Just Alright" and Bill Withers' "Lean On Me". With pre-sales of 175,000 units, the question's not if but when this will hit the top."

If such marketing-speak jars for those with hearts ablaze for Christian ministry, the band make it crystal clear that they have serious spiritual intent behind all the big sales, fat profits hype. They speak from their hearts about matters presented in the songs. "We talk about becoming bold for Jesus Christ," says Toby. "You gotta learn to stand up today for the things that are right. Sometimes you need extra encouragement to do that and DC Talk wants to provide that encouragement." Michael agrees: "There's a big difference in doing what you know is right and doing what you think is right. Our lyrics come from the Word and that is the only real guideline for what is best for us in any decision we have to make."

No one should underestimate how tough it can be out on the road, struggling to maintain in the strange world of the sucessful pop artist. "Prayer and accountability to one another," prescribes McKee-han as the spiritual medicine that keeps him and his partners from tearing at each other's throats.

McKeehan gets to the heart of their mission in saying, "We think that at this time, right now, we're better together than we are apart. We're called to be together, and we're more useful to God together. It's not to say Kevin can't do a book of poetry, or I can't sing on Steven Curtis Chapman's record, or Mike can't sing on Russ Taff s record."

While moving to Music City has given McKeehan and Tait more work in the fields they know best, for Smith it has meant an expansion into another, more arcane art. "I've been working on a book of poetry with Jimmy A (who will paint illustrations to Smith's verses). A lot of things have been happening like that. I'm around a lot of different artists downtown... painters, poets, all the beatnik-type people, so it's interesting."

'Free At Last' has a great deal of dance-floor potential while the theme of a faith-active Christian lifestyle is evident from "Socially Acceptable" and the much gigged "Luv Is A Verb" through to the sinewy, down tempo bass-heavy funk of The Hard Way". The new songs are valid attempts to be "tackling real issues with real answers. I think the real answers come from the Bible, God's Word, so I'm going to point them there." Or so McKeehan says to clarify the balance of what he sees as DC Talk's twin goals.

"We can't continue to simply entertain Christians. We want to challenge them to take the Great Commission seriously. (Secondly), we've got to reach a dying, lost world. The only way we're going to do that is not to go 'Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!', pointing our finger down their throats. There's got to be a way to get in there."

With all that's gone on already to help them "get in there", temptation can raise its vile little head in a flash. Foremost regarding the Talk'ers art is the temptation to compromise. The guys know it and seem prepared to combat it.

McKeehan again: "The temptation for compromise is definitely valid. To me, it's scary. Is this God's will, or am I doing this for the world so I can get secular airplay? It's a matter of a personal walk. It comes down to lyrics. Someone has to write those lyrics. If that individual is walking with the Lord, he's in his will already. The only way we can deal with compromise is a personal relationship, a day-to-day, get-ting-fed personal relationship."

Kevin echoes Toby's thoughts: "Someone once said music can't change the world. We, as mouthpieces, can't change it. God can change it."