TobyMac facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
TobyMac
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TobyMac performing in 2015
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kevin Michael McKeehan |
| Also known as | Toby McKeehan |
| Born | October 22, 1964 Fairfax, Virginia, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1987–present |
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Kevin Michael McKeehan (born October 22, 1964), known as TobyMac, is an American Christian music artist. He is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His live band is called Diverse City.
TobyMac first became famous as a member of the Christian hip-hop and rock group DC Talk. He was with them from 1987 until they took a break in 2000. Since then, he has had a very successful solo career. He has released nine studio albums, including Momentum (2001) and Life After Death (2022). He also released five remix albums. His album Eye on It was the third Christian album ever to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Between his time with DC Talk and his solo work, TobyMac has sold over 10 million albums. He has won seven Grammy Awards. Six of his songs have reached No. 1 on the Christian Songs chart. This makes him one of the artists with the most No. 1 hits on that chart. His live album, Alive and Transported, won a Grammy Award in 2009. His albums Eye on It and This Is Not a Test also won Grammys for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.
Contents
Musical Journey
Starting with DC Talk (1987–2001)
TobyMac started the group DC Talk with Michael Tait in 1987. They met at Liberty University. In 1988, they released their first music. Then, Kevin Max Smith joined the group.
The trio signed with Forefront Records and began touring. Their album Nu Thang (1990) became a gold album, meaning it sold over 500,000 copies. Their next album, Free at Last, sold over a million copies and was certified platinum. DC Talk even performed on popular TV shows like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
In 1995, they released Jesus Freak, which sold millions of copies. This led to a big world tour. Their last album, Supernatural, also sold over a million copies. DC Talk stopped making new music together in 2001, and each member started their own solo careers. However, they have performed together a few times since then. They also recorded some songs together, like "Love Feels Like" on TobyMac's 2015 album.
Solo Career Begins
Momentum (2001–2003)
On November 6, 2001, TobyMac released his first solo album, Momentum. The song "Extreme Days" from this album was used in movies and video games. Another song, "Get This Party Started," was featured on the TV show Roswell.
Momentum was a big success. It won five Dove Awards and was nominated for a Grammy. TobyMac was also nominated for Artist of the Year at the 2003 Dove Awards. In 2003, he released Re:Mix Momentum, which was a remix version of his first album.
Welcome to Diverse City (2004–2006)
His second album, Welcome to Diverse City, came out in October 2004. It sold well and became a gold album. The song "The Slam" from this album became very popular. It was used in movies like Never Back Down and in many commercials for films and TV shows. It was also used in sports events like the NBA Finals. This album also won a Dove Award for Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year. A remix album, Renovating->Diverse City, was released in 2005.
Portable Sounds (2007–2008)
TobyMac's third album, Portable Sounds, was released in 2007. It debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award. He won Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year at the Dove Awards for Portable Sounds.
Songs like "Made to Love" and "I'm For You" both reached No. 1 on Christian radio. His son, Truett, also known as TruDog, was featured on the song "Hype Man (truDog '07)". The song "Ignition" was used by ABC/ESPN to promote NASCAR. TobyMac won two Dove Awards for this album, including Artist of the Year.
Alive and Transported (2008–2009)
In 2008, TobyMac released his first live album as a solo artist, Alive and Transported. It was recorded during his Portable Sounds Tour. The album included live versions of popular DC Talk songs. This album won both a Dove Award and a Grammy Award.
Tonight (2010–2011)
His fourth studio album, Tonight, was released on February 9, 2010. It debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. The first song from the album, "City on Our Knees", became a No. 1 hit on Christian charts. Toby's oldest son, Truett (TruDog), was featured on a song again.
The album mixes different music styles like pop, rock, hip hop, Latin, and funk. The title track "Tonight" was used in MLB Network's TV show. The song "Showstopper" was used by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and in NCAA Basketball. TobyMac also released his first full Christmas album, Christmas in Diverse City, in 2011.
Eye on It (2012–2014)
TobyMac's fifth album, Eye on It, was released on August 28, 2012. It made history by debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. This was the first time a Christian album had done that since 1997.
The first song, "Me Without You", also reached No. 1 on the Christian Songs chart. The song "Family" was used in commercials during the 2013 Super Bowl. "Forgiveness" was a song with Christian rapper Lecrae. A remix album called Eye'm All Mixed Up was released in 2014.
This Is Not a Test (2015–2018)
In 2014, TobyMac started performing a new song called "Beyond Me". This song was the first single from his sixth studio album, This Is Not a Test. The album was released on August 7, 2015. It debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart.
In 2017, he released Light of Christmas, which was his second collection of Christmas songs.
The Elements (2018–2021)
In January 2018, TobyMac released "I Just Need U". This song quickly went to No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart. In July 2018, he released "Everything".
His new album, The Elements, was announced in September 2018 and released on October 12, 2018. It became his fifth album to reach No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart. On January 10, 2020, TobyMac released a song called "21 Years" as a tribute to his son Truett, who passed away in October 2019.
Life After Death (2022-2024)
TobyMac continued to release new music. In 2021, he released "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)" and "Promised Land". He later released a new version of "Promised Land" with Sheryl Crow. In June 2022, he released "The Goodness" with gospel artist Blessing Offor.
On June 10, 2022, he announced his album Life After Death, which was released on August 19, 2022. He also announced his Hits Deep Tour for 2023.
Heaven On My Mind (2025-present)
In June 2024, TobyMac released "Nothin' Sweeter". He later released a new version of this song with Jon Reddick. He also released "a lil Church" in December 2024 and "God Did It" in January 2025. His ninth studio album, Heaven On My Mind, is set to be released on March 7, 2025.
Other Work
TobyMac has written several books. He wrote two books with Michael Tait and Kevin Max called Jesus Freaks. These books share stories of Christian martyrs. He also wrote two more books with Michael Tait about faith and God's plan. His fifth book, City on Our Knees, is about Christians coming together in unity and prayer.
TobyMac is also the president of Gotee Records, a record label. He started the label to help new artists release their music. Gotee Records has helped launch the careers of groups like Relient K and artists like Jamie Grace. Even though he runs Gotee Records, TobyMac himself records music for ForeFront Records.
He also helped create Camp Electric, a camp near Nashville, Tennessee. It's for young musicians who want to improve their pop and rock music skills.
Personal Life
TobyMac and his wife, Amanda, got married in 1994. Amanda is from Jamaica, and her family is involved in a big agribusiness company there. The family often visits Jamaica. TobyMac's father passed away in 2015, which inspired some of his songwriting.
Toby and Amanda have five children: four sons and one daughter. Their children are Truett (born 1998, passed away 2019), twins Moses and Marlee (adopted in 2002), Leo (born 2004), and Judah (born 2006). Their son Moses has muscular dystrophy.
Truett Foster McKeehan, TobyMac's oldest son, appeared on some of his father's albums as "TruDog" or "TRU". Truett was also an aspiring rapper. After Truett's passing, TobyMac released the song "21 Years" as a tribute to him.
Discography
- Momentum (2001)
- Welcome to Diverse City (2004)
- Portable Sounds (2007)
- Tonight (2010)
- Christmas in Diverse City (2011)
- Eye on It (2012)
- This Is Not a Test (2015)
- The Elements (2018)
- Life After Death (2022)
- Heaven On My Mind (2025)
Awards and Nominations
TobyMac has won many awards throughout his career.
American Music Awards
He has been nominated for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist multiple times and won in 2012.
Billboard Music Awards
He won Top Christian Artist in 2013 and Top Christian Album for Eye on It in the same year.
Grammy Awards
TobyMac has won several Grammy Awards:
- 2009: Best Rock Gospel Album for Alive and Transported
- 2013: Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Eye on It
- 2016: Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for This Is Not a Test
He has also been nominated for many other Grammys for his albums and songs.
GMA Dove Awards
TobyMac has won numerous GMA Dove Awards, which celebrate Christian music. Some of his wins include:
- Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year for Momentum (2002) and Welcome to Diverse City (2005)
- Artist of the Year (2008, 2013, 2019)
- Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year for Portable Sounds (2008) and Tonight (2011)
- Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for "City on Our Knees" (2010)
- Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Eye On It (2013) and This is Not a Test (2016)
- Short Form Video of the Year for "Eye On It" (2013) and "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)" (2021)
He has been nominated for many more Dove Awards in various categories over the years.
Images for kids
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TobyMac performing in 2015
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TobyMac in 2005
See also
In Spanish: TobyMac para niños
