TobyMac
Kevin Michael McKeehan most known for his stage name TobyMac is a hip hop recording artist, songwriter, music producer as well as and author. He also performed as one of the members of the Christian trio from 1987 to 2000. He has several hit solos to his credit, which includes Momentum, Welcome to the Diverse City & Eye on It. He holds the record of being the third Christian artist ever to have a number one debut on the Billboard 200 chart with the album Eye on It. From his exceptional career, he sold more than 10 million albums and won seven Grammy Awards.
Early life And Education
TobyMac was born by his birth name Kevin Michael McKeehan on 22nd October 1964 in Fairfax, Virginia, the U.S. He belongs to White-American ethnicity and holds an American nationality.
TobyMac joined Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia where he met Kevin Max & Michael Tait. The three went on to form the groundbreaking group, DC Talk.
Career: Sold 10 million Albums And Won Seven Grammy Awards From Decades-Long Successful Journey
TobyMac formed DC Talk with fellow musician Michael Tait in 1987 at Liberty University. Kevin Max Smith joined the group in 1988 and the band released their first album DC Talk in 1989. Over the few years, the band introduced albums such as Free at Last, Jesus Freak, Supernatural, and among others.
The group disbanded in 2001 and all the members started their solo careers. However, over the years, they have reunited for special performances to their fans, including the song"Let's Roll" which they recorded in 2002 after 9/11.
In 2001, after parting ways with DC Talk, TobyMac released his first solo album, Momentum. The singles from the album were well received by the audience, making it one of the greatest hits of his career. The next year, he released his Christmas album with only two tracks.
TobyMac’s third album, Welcome to Diverse City was released in 2004. The album stood high at the 54th position on Billboard 200. His next album, Portable Sounds, was released in 2007 & entered the top 10 chart list on the Billboard 100 & No.1 on Sound Scan Contemporary Christian Overall Chart.
In the year 2008, TobyMac released his album, Alive & Transported, which earned him a Grammy Award and a GMA Dove Award. His two albums, Portable Sounds & Tonight, were again chartbusters.
In 2015, TobyMac released his latest album; This Is Not a Test which was loved & appreciated by the audience all over the world.
TobyMac has also written two books "Jesus Freaks vol. 1 & Jesus Freaks vol. 2" with Michael Tait & Kevin Max. These books were solely focused on Christian martyrs.
TobyMac later authored two more books, "Living Under God" and "Under God" that compiles stories of America's spiritual battles.
Net Worth, Earnings, & Lifestyle
TobyMac, as of 2020, is estimated to have a net worth of $10 million dollars. His main income source is his decades-long career as a musician. His debut solo album, Momentum earned him five Dove Awards & a Grammy nomination. His songs have been featured in various movies including Transporter 2, Never Back Down, The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and also for the TV show, Prison Break.
Besides, he also earns from tours, concerts, endorsements, and merchandise. As per his website, his concert tickets can cost between $50 to $200.
Personal Life: Wife, Children, Son's Death
In 1994 TobyMac married Amanda Levy who is from Jamaica and the daughter of Judy & Robert Levy (of Jamaica Broilers fame). After marrying a Jamaican woman, TobyMac frequently visited the island which made him familiar with Jamaican music & other aspects of local culture.
The couple had five kids; Truett aka TruDog (4th September 1998- October 23, 2019), twins Moses & Marlee adopted in 2002, Leo, born on 2nd November 2004; and Judah, born on 24th March 2006. His son Moses suffers from muscular dystrophy which is a muscle disease.
His first son TruDog who was an aspiring rapper died at the age of 21 in October 2019. He was found dead at his home in Nashville because of the drug overdose of fentanyl and amphetamines. Heartbroken McKeehan released "21 Years" as a tribute to his son.