Toby McKeehan—also known as TobyMac—has made a name for himself beyond the Christian genre. With a stylistic voice that blends rhythm and soul alongside lyrics that are equally as relatable as they are honest, the Grammy Award-winning artist continues to push creative boundaries while staying rooted in his faith and message.
The Virginia native first found his voice in high school, balancing the precision of singing vocals in a quartet and octet with the creativity of being in a garage band with his friends. While a career in music wasn’t always at the forefront, he became more serious about pursuing it professionally while attending Liberty University in Virginia. During his studies, he formed a Christian rap and rock trio called DC Talk with two of his friends, Michael Tait and Kevin Max.
“I’m a songwriter first and then an artist. I always say, ‘I’m a songwriter disguised as a pop artist,’” TobyMac explains. “Writing songs is a forever thing, and it always will be. Writing songs is my passion."
By 1994, Toby had married his college sweetheart, Amanda, moved to Nashville, and created his own record label—Gotee Records—with his cousin to help other artists grow in their craft. While it was never his intention to pursue a solo career, Toby received a call about an upcoming film where they wanted him to write and perform a song for its soundtrack—as a solo artist. While hesitant at first, he wrote “Extreme Days” for the film, which became a pivotal Grammy-nominated track on his debut record Momentum… and the rest was history.
Over the past 25 years, TobyMac has taken the music industry by storm—with 7 Grammy Awards, over 18 GMA Dove Awards, and multiple Billboard Music Awards, the trailblazing artist enjoys writing from personal experiences. Finding comfort and inspiration in the idea that a lot of humanity faces the same trials emotionally, TobyMac has made it his goal to serve others through his music. He stays inspired by two rules he set for himself when writing and producing a new record: not relying on what’s worked in the past and not fearing what didn’t work in the past.
“I’ve always tried to evolve in music… I think if you become one thing and [stay] there, it will just die in your heart and won’t be inspiring anymore,” he says. “I think as we evolve, we remain inspired as artists, singers, and musicians.”
Allowing both the good and bad to shine through his work, Toby is no stranger to painful loss. In 2019, he lost his son Truett—who was only 21 years old. This heartbreak impacted every avenue of his life and reflected in his music. Striving to write deeper, more passionate lyrics, the father of five became even more intentional with the words he was writing and the messages he was sharing.
“It caused me to filter my thoughts to a greater degree and make sure I’m sincere about everything I’m saying,” he shares, on writing songs about heartache. “[I made sure I was] treating people who are listening with love and respect and hoping that somehow, someway God could use a song as medicine for people and their hearts. I remember for a while, after I lost Truett, I didn’t think I could ever write another happy or hopeful song, [but] I’ve been able to slide by with a few, because they’ve all been about the goodness of God.”
Last year, TobyMac released his 10th studio album, Heaven On My Mind, where the title track landed him his eighth No. 1 song in a row on CCM Radio. Shifting from the overall themes of grief in his previous 2021 record, Life After Death, his newest stream of music sheds light on hope and healing after loss.
“I feel, you know, as you walk through things in life, you discover that you’re willing to share where you’ve failed or where you’ve been victorious, as long as you’re willing to be vulnerable. I think people like that—they are drawn to vulnerability,” he explains. “I’m also in a very grateful season—grateful for the people around me, for what I have in my family, for what I have in my wife, and that I [get to be] out doing something I love.”
Residing in Franklin, TobyMac has built a life and career based on hard work, perseverance, and inspiration. Widely known for his humility and grounded approach that leads beyond music, at the end of the day, he just wants his work to resonate with others and inspire anyone who listens.
“I hope people feel through my music that we should treat each other with dignity. Everyone deserves that,” he says. “Walking humbly, loving the people around you and in your community, and reminding them of God’s love for them, are [a few] things I hope come out in my music.”
For more information on TobyMac and to keep an eye out for new music, follow him on socials or visit his website.
@tobymac
tobymac.com
“Writing songs is a forever thing, and it always will be. Writing songs is my passion."
“I hope people feel through my music that we should treat each other with dignity. Everyone deserves that,” he says.