TobyMac

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Toby McKeehan

TobyMac at Winter Wonder Slam in 2005
Background information
Birth name Kevin Michael McKeehan
Born October 22, 1964 (1964-10-22) (age 45)
Fairfax, Virginia
Genres Christian hip hop, Christian rock
Occupations Singer, Songwriter, Author
Years active 1987–present[1]
Labels ForeFront Records
EMI CMG
Associated acts DC Talk, DJ Maj, Kevin Max, Michael Tait, The Gotee Brothers, Newsboys, Randall Crawford, John Reuben, Carman, Grits
Website tobyMac.com

Kevin Michael McKeehan[2] (born October 22, 1964 in Fairfax, Virginia), professionally known as TobyMac, is an American Grammy Award-winning artist, producer and songwriter. TobyMac is one of the first Christian rappers. He was first known for being a member of the Christian singing trio DC Talk, staying with them from 1989 until their announced hiatus in 2000. He has since continued a successful solo career with the release of three studio albums: Momentum (2001), Welcome to Diverse City (2004) and Portable Sounds (2007), as well as two remixed albums of the first two albums titled Re:Mix Momentum and Renovating Diverse City, respectively. Between DC talk and his own solo career, he has sold over 10 million albums.[3] TobyMac has had six #1 hit CHR singles[4] including, "Made to Love," and, "Lose My Soul." His live concert CD+DVD combo album, Alive and Transported, was released in 2008 and received the Grammy Award for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album at the 51st Grammy Awards, in 2009.[5]

Contents

[edit] Musical career

[edit] DC Talk

The trio formed the band DC Talk in 1987.[6] DC Talk's original sound was Christian hip-hop, but in 1995 they reinvented themselves with the release of the guitar-heavy Jesus Freak. Although they had won a Grammy for their earlier work, this album was a significant milestone, selling over two million copies, making it a double platinum record.

DC Talk's latest album was released in 2001. The album Intermission: the Greatest Hits was a dc Talk compilation put together when the group members started their "intermission". The members were pursuing individual careers then, and at the time assured fans that DC Talk had not split up, but rather they were simply taking "an intermission." More recently, comments from the band members, most notably from Kevin Max, have implied that DC Talk will not regroup. Kevin Max writes on his official website's message board, "DC Talk is something of the past. In order for DC Talk to be anything of the future, it will be up to each individual member to come together to create something that is lasting and substantial. There is an audience out there interested in seeing DC Talk back together as a group and as an entertaining and creative force, but I feel that the spirit of the thing is dead. I appreciated the time that we had together those many years, and I thank God many times over for allowing me to be a part of something that was so far reaching and helped so many people, but to be honest, just doing a show to do a show is not interesting to me. It must be thought out, creative and passionate."

DC Talk reunited to perform a song on the album Let's Roll about the events on September 11, 2001, on TobyMac's second album Welcome to Diverse City (They appeared on the song "Atmosphere (Remix)"), and also on Kevin Max's album The Blood in the song "The Cross".

[edit] Solo career

TobyMac's solo music differs from DC Talk's rock-based musical style, leaning toward a more urban, hip hop sound. His sound is much more reminiscent of what was heard when dc Talk originally started out, on the albums, DC Talk, Nu Thang and Free At Last.

McKeehan composed and recorded the song "Extreme Days" for the 2001 Truth Builder Productions film Extreme Days. The song was subsequently featured on the 2001 debut TobyMac album Momentum and was used in the movie, Hangman's Curse, based on the popular book by Frank Peretti. McKeehan also composed and performed the song "New World" for the album Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. His song "The Slam" was featured in the film Never Back Down, advertisements for the films Transporter 2, Aeon Flux, and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, as well as advertisements for the television show Prison Break. The song was also featured in car commercials, men's NCAA clips, NBA Finals (Miami Heat, 2006), World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) programming, NFL Football commercials, and "The Ultimate Highlight" on Sportscenter. "Diverse City" was featured in the Veronica Mars episode, The Wrath of Con. Ohio Valley Wrestling performer Matt Cappotelli (who currently is unable to perform due to a brain tumor) uses "The Slam" as his entrance theme. Many more of Toby's songs have also been used in commercials. "Atmosphere" was used in a Volvo car commercial, "Burn For You" was used for cinnamon gum commercials (as well as on a Dr. Phil advertisement), "Ignition" is being used by ABC/ESPN to promote its coverage of NASCAR, and "Boomin'" has also been used to promote a new crime-drama, The Women's Murder Club, on ABC, as well as others. His song "Get This Party Started" was featured on an episode of the TV show Roswell. His songs "Yours", "Extreme Days", "Get This Party Started", and "Momentum" were all recently featured in the Xbox 360 video game Crackdown. In September 2007, his song "Feelin' So Fly" appeared in the film The Game Plan starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. In the recent movie Never Back Down Toby's song "The Slam" is featured in the main fight scene. Tampa Bay Rays player Ben Zobrist used "Ignition" as his entrance song when he came up to bat for the 2008 season and the first few games of the 2009 season (he has since switched it to a song by his wife). Recently, "Ignition" received worldwide exposure when it was used as the Arizona Cardinals entrance music during the pre-game of Super Bowl XLIII.

Portable Sounds sold 50,645 copies in its first week, debuting at #10 on the Billboard 200, and at #1 on the SoundScan Contemporary Christian Overall chart.[7] The album also received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.[8] The songs "Made to Love" and "I'm For You" both hit #1 and were the second and third most played songs on Christian Hit Radio stations in 2007.[9]

[edit] Tonight (2009–present)

TobyMac's fourth studio release, Tonight, is scheduled for release on February 9, 2010.[1] The album's first single, "City on Our Knees", was released on August 14. The song reached #1 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs and #1 on both Christian AC and CHR. Christopher Stevens and Dave Wyatt will join McKeehan in producing the album, as with the production of his 2007 release, Portable Sounds. Truett, aka TruDog, Toby's oldest son, will once again be featured on at least one song as in the previous albums. The album is expected to be a mix of pop, rock, hip-hop, and funk, similar to his album Portable Sounds. The name of the new album, Tonight,[10] was announced on November 9, as well as the CD's cover art. He will be touring with Skillet.

[edit] Other work

TobyMac has written two books with Michael Tait and Kevin Max entitled, Jesus Freaks: DC Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs - Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus, the Ultimate Jesus Freaks,[11] and, Jesus Freaks: Revolutionaries: Stories of Revolutionaries Who Changed Their World: Fearing God, Not Man (Jesus Freaks).[12]. These books are mainly focused on Christian martyrs. Toby Mac has also written two more books with Michael Tait, one titled, "Under God,"[13] containing stories of America's spiritual battles, and another book called, "Living Under God: Discovering Your Part In God's Plan."[14]

TobyMac is the president of the record label Gotee Records. Gotee features artists such as DJ Maj, Relient K and John Reuben. However, as a recording artist, TobyMac is under contract with ForeFront Records.

[edit] Diverse City Band

Main article: The Diverse City Band
Main article: Shonlock

[edit] Personal life

McKeehan and his wife Amanda (Mandy) were married in 1994.[15] Amanda, who comes from Jamaica, is the daughter of Judy and Robert Levy (of Jamaica Broilers fame). Being married to a Jamaican, and with regular visits to the island, TobyMac is well immersed in Jamaican music, language and other aspects of local culture.[16] Toby and Mandy live in Franklin, Tennessee.

They have five children: Truett, born September 4, 1998; twins Moses and Marlee were adopted in 2002; Leo, born on November 2, 2004,[1] and Judah, born March 24, 2006.[1]

Truett has appeared on the albums Momentum, Re:Mix Momentum, This Christmas, Welcome to Diverse City, Renovating Diverse City and Portable Sounds as the artist "TruDog."

[edit] Discography

Main article: TobyMac discography

[edit] Studio albums

[edit] Remix albums

[edit] Live albums

[edit] Singles

[edit] WoW Hits

[edit] Videography

  • "Momentum DVD"
  • "Portable Sights"
  • "Alive and Transported"

[edit] Awards

Grammy Award nominations
GMA Dove Award awards

[edit] Music videos

[edit] Guest appearances

[edit] Filmography

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Jesusfreakhideout.com: TobyMac Discography, TobyMac Lyrics, Toby Mac, Toby MacKeehan
  2. ^ Williams, Preston (May 15, 2008). "Giving Up Sports Has Never Sounded So Good". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/13/AR2008051302829.html. Retrieved December 7, 2009. 
  3. ^ http://www.hearitfirst.com/artisthome.aspx?f=artisthome&artist_id=1097
  4. ^ Richard O. Jones (2009-01-23). "Francesca Battistelli brings theater perspective to Christian music". The Middletown Journal. http://www.middletownjournal.com/e/content/oh/story/entertainment/music/2009/01/23/go012309winterjam.html. Retrieved 2009-02-19. 
  5. ^ "The 51st Annual Grammy Awards Winners List". Grammy.com. http://www.grammy.com/grammy_awards/51st_show/list.aspx#11. Retrieved 2009-02-19. 
  6. ^ TobyMac Biography, dcTalkUnite.com; Retrieved March 27, 2008
  7. ^ Christianrock.net News
  8. ^ Grammys.com
  9. ^ 2007 Year End Charts/Top Christian CHR songs, R&R magazine, Retrieved January 6, 2008
  10. ^ http://www.indievisionmusic.com/2009/11/09/tobymac-tonight/
  11. ^ Amazon.com: Jesus Freaks: Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus, the Ultimate Jesus Freaks: DC Talk and the Voice of the Martyrs: Books
  12. ^ Amazon.com: He also performs in "Rock the Universe" in Universal Studios and "Night of Joy" in Walt Disney World every September every year. Toby usually alternates between Rock the Universe and Night of Joy. Jesus Freaks: Revolutionaries: Stories of Revolutionaries Who Changed Their World: Fearing God, Not Man (Jesus Freaks): dc Talk: Books
  13. ^ Amazon.com: Under God: Toby Mac, Michael Tait, Toby Mac: Books
  14. ^ Amazon.com: Living Under God: Discovering Your Part in Gods Plan: Baker Publishing Group, Michael Tait: Books
  15. ^ Biography of Gospel Hip Hop Artist tobyMac http://christianmusic.about.com/od/mzprofiles/p/prtobymac.htm Retrieved 2009-08-23
  16. ^ Mind and Spirit - Chatting with a Christian ROCKER http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20050101/ent/ent1.html Retrieved 2009-08-23

[edit] External links

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: TobyMac
v • d • e
DC Talk
Toby McKeehan • Michael Tait • Kevin Max
Studio albums
DC Talk (1989) • Nu Thang (1990) • Free at Last (1992) • Jesus Freak (1995) • Supernatural (1998) • Solo (2001)
Live albums
Compilation albums
Intermission: the Greatest Hits (2000) • The Early Years (2006) • Greatest Hits (2007) • The Ultimate Collection (2009)
Singles
"Heavenbound" • "I Luv Rap Music" • "Can I Get a Witness?" • "Jesus is Just Alright" • "Lean On Me" • "Socially Acceptable" • "Luv Is a Verb" • "The Hardway" • "Jesus Freak" • "Between You and Me" • "What If I Stumble?" • "Like It, Love It, Need It" • "Colored People" • "In the Light" • "Mind's Eye" • "Into Jesus" • "Consume Me" • "My Friend (So Long)" • "Dive" • "My Will" • "Godsend" • "Wanna Be Loved" • "Supernatural" • "Say the Words (Now)" • "Let's Roll"
Related articles
v • d • e
TobyMac
TobyMac
Solo Albums
Remix Albums
Live Albums
Related Articles
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