TobyMac

October 22, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Kevin Michael McKeehan, better known by his stage name TobyMac, was born October 22, 1964. He is an American contemporary Christian music singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. TobyMac started his career as a member of the Christian rock and rap band D.C. Talk. He joined the trio in 1987 until they disbanded in 2001, and each member embarked on their solo career. Throughout his solo career, TobyMac has released eight studio albums and has had 20 solo singles on Billboard’s Christian Songs list. He has sold more than 10 million records and won seven Grammy Awards. He is also an author of five books and is the president of the record label Gotee Records. Let’s get to know TobyMac a little better!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Kevin Michael McKeehan

Nickname:

TobyMac

Birth date:

October 22, 1964

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Libra

Height:

5' 9.6"

Relationship Status:

Married

Net Worth:

$10 million

Background

TobyMac started his solo career in 2001 with his debut album “Momentum,” which reached number one on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. His songs have been used for a variety of projects: ‘Extreme Days’ has been used in the movie “Hangman’s Curse,” based on a book by Frank Peretti. The T.V. Show “Roswell” featured his song ‘Get This Party Started’ and ‘Momentum’ was featured in the Xbox 360 video game “Crackdown.”

Not bad for a first solo album! “Momentum” earned five Dove Awards and a Grammy nomination. TobyMac was also nominated for Artist of the Year at the 34th G.M.A. Dove Awards. His second album, “Welcome to Diverse City,” was released in 2004, and it was a commercial success. The single ‘The Slam’ was featured in the film “Never Back Down” and in trailers for “Transporter 2,” “Aeon Flux,” “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” and “Prison Break.” The song was also featured in car commercials, men’s N.C.A.A. clips, N.B.A. Finals, World Wrestling Entertainment, N.F.L. Football commercials, and “The Ultimate Highlight.” His third album, “Portable Sounds,” earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, and he won rock/contemporary album of the year at the 39th annual G.M.A. Dove Awards. Again, many songs off that release were used across various films, television shows, and games.

TobyMac has been married to his wife, Amanda, since 1995, and the couple has five children together. Unfortunately, the family experienced the loss of their son Truett Foster, in 2019, at the age of 21.

Career timeline

1987

The Christian Rock/Rap Group

TobyMac forms Christian rock/rap group D.C. Talk with Michael Tait and Kevin Max Smith.

2001

The Band is Dissolved

D.C. Talk disbands, and the members each pursue a solo career.

November 6, 2001

The First Solo Album

TobyMac releases his first solo album, “Momentum.”

2004

The Second Album

He releases "Welcome to Diverse City," and it peaks at number 54 on the Billboard 200 and sells 21,000 copies in its first week.

2007

The Third Album

"Portable Sounds" sells 50,645 copies in its first week and is nominated for a Grammy, for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

2012

The Record-Breaking Album

The album debuts at number one on the Billboard 200, the first for a Christian album since 1997.

Why We Love TobyMac

He established a youth camp
TobyMac brings together young Christians and teaches them band dynamics and the art of leading worship. His camp, called Camp Electric, is located near Nashville, Tennessee.
He is a family man
He has been married to his wife since 1994 and has five children together, two of which are adopted. He’s a responsible husband and dad.
He is multi-talented
TobyMac is a man of many talents. He creates his own music, is a published author, and is head of his own record label.

5 Surprising Facts

Billboard's Christian Songs hall of fame
TobyMac is one of the artists recognized for having the most number-one hits on Billboard's Christian Songs chart.
He can shoot hoops
TobyMac played on two state championship basketball teams in high school.
His older brother coined his nickname
His older brother can be credited with giving him his stage name, ‘TobyMac.’
He is inspired by Jamaica
His music is inspired by Jamaican sounds, his wife's home country.
He has sold numerous records
Between his career as a member of D.C. Talk and his solo endeavors, TobyMac has sold over 10 million album records worldwide.