History of TobyMac in Timeline
TobyMac, whose real name is Kevin Michael McKeehan, is a prominent figure in contemporary Christian music. He is a singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Before his successful solo career, he was part of the Christian rap and rock trio DC Talk from 1987 to 2000. Since then, he has released ten studio albums and five remix albums. Notably, his album "Eye on It" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, making him the third Christian artist to achieve this feat. He continues to perform with his band, Diverse City.
October 22, 1964: Birth of Kevin Michael McKeehan
Kevin Michael McKeehan, known as TobyMac, was born on October 22, 1964.
1987: DC Talk Formation and Christian Rhymes to a Rhythm
TobyMac and Michael Tait formed DC Talk at Liberty University in 1987 and released Christian Rhymes to a Rhythm.
1987: DC Talk Formation
TobyMac formed DC Talk with Michael Tait in 1987 at Liberty University.
1988: Christian Rhymes to a Rhythm Release
TobyMac and Michael Tait released Christian Rhymes to a Rhythm in 1988.
1989: DC Talk Debut Album
DC Talk released their self-titled debut album in 1989.
1990: Nu Thang Release
DC Talk released their first gold album, Nu Thang, in 1990.
1994: Marriage to Amanda
In 1994, TobyMac, also known as McKeehan, married Amanda, who hails from Jamaica. This event marked a significant milestone in his personal life as they began their life together.
1994: Gotee Records Founding
TobyMac co-founded Gotee Records, the first Christian hip-hop label, in 1994.
1995: Jesus Freak Release
DC Talk released their multi-platinum album Jesus Freak in 1995.
1996: "Between You and Me" and Supernatural Release
DC Talk released the single "Between You and Me" and the platinum album Supernatural in 1996.
1997: Last Christian Album to Debut at No. 1
In 1997, the last Christian album before TobyMac's "Eye on It" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
September 4, 1998: Birth of Son Truett
On September 4, 1998, TobyMac welcomed his son Truett, who later became known in the music world as TruDog or TRU.
September 11, 2001: 9/11 Attacks and "Let's Roll" Recording
Following the September 11th attacks, DC Talk recorded "Let's Roll" in 2002.
November 6, 2001: Momentum Release and "Extreme Days"
TobyMac released Momentum, featuring "Extreme Days" from the film Extreme Days, on November 6, 2001.
2001: Solo Release
DC Talk released the album Solo, a collection of solo work, in 2001.
April 30, 2002: Adoption of Twins Moses and Marlee
On April 30, 2002, TobyMac and his wife Amanda adopted twins Moses and Marlee at birth, expanding their family further.
2002: Festival Con Dios and "This Christmas"
TobyMac performed at Festival Con Dios and released his first Christmas single, "This Christmas", in 2002.
October 2004: Welcome to Diverse City Release
TobyMac released Welcome to Diverse City in October 2004.
November 2, 2004: Birth of Son Leo
On November 2, 2004, TobyMac's family grew with the birth of his son Leo.
2004: "Atmosphere (Remix)" Release
DC Talk collaborated on "Atmosphere (Remix)" on TobyMac's album Welcome to Diverse City in 2004.
2004: Welcome to Diverse City Release
TobyMac released his second solo album, Welcome to Diverse City, in 2004.
2005: DC Talk Reunion Performance
DC Talk reunited for a performance in Redmond, Washington, in 2005.
2005: Renovating Diverse City Release
TobyMac released Renovating Diverse City in 2005.
March 24, 2006: Birth of Son Judah
On March 24, 2006, TobyMac welcomed his son Judah, adding to his growing family.
December 2006: Winter Wonder Slam Tour
TobyMac's Winter Wonder Slam Tour took place throughout December 2006.
September 2007: Portable Sounds Success and "Feelin' So Fly"
TobyMac's Portable Sounds was released, and his song "Feelin' So Fly" was featured in the film The Game Plan in September 2007.
2007: "The Cross" Release
DC Talk collaborated on "The Cross" for Kevin Max's album The Blood in 2007.
2007: Portable Sounds Album Production
TobyMac's album "Portable Sounds" was produced in 2007 by Christopher Stevens and Dave Wyatt, who also worked on "Tonight."
2008: Alive and Transported Release
In 2008, TobyMac released his first live album, "Alive and Transported," recorded during the Portable Sounds Tour in Houston. The album included covers of DC Talk songs and earned him a GMA Dove and a Grammy Award.
August 14, 2009: City on Our Knees Release
"City on Our Knees," the first single from TobyMac's album "Tonight," was released on August 14, 2009, and reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart.
2009: Showstopper in Thursday Night Football
During the 2009-2010 season, TobyMac's song "Showstopper" was used as an introduction to Thursday Night Football broadcasts.
2009: Grammy Award
TobyMac won a Grammy Award for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for Alive and Transported in 2009.
February 9, 2010: Tonight Album Release
TobyMac's fourth studio album, "Tonight," was released on February 9, 2010, debuting at No. 6 on the Billboard 200.
June 2010: Showstopper in WWE Event
In June 2010, TobyMac's song "Showstopper" was used to promote WWE's "Fatal 4-Way" pay-per-view.
November 10, 2010: Moving Pictures DVD Release
TobyMac released a DVD, "TobyMac: Moving Pictures Featuring His Entire Work of Music Videos," on November 10, 2010.
2010: Awake Tonight Tour and Make a Difference Tour
In 2010, TobyMac toured with Skillet and House of Heroes on the "Awake Tonight Tour" and participated in the "Make a Difference Tour 2010" with Third Day, Michael W. Smith, Jason Gray, and Max Lucado.
2010: DC Talk Guest Appearance
TobyMac made a surprise guest appearance with DC Talk at Winter Jam in Nashville in 2010.
2010: Tonight Release
TobyMac released his fourth studio album, Tonight, in 2010.
October 4, 2011: Christmas in Diverse City Release
TobyMac released his first full-length Christmas album, "Christmas in Diverse City," on October 4, 2011.
2011: "Jesus Freak" Performance
TobyMac joined Michael Tait to perform "Jesus Freak" in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 2011.
2011: Christmas in Diverse City Release
TobyMac released his Christmas album, Christmas in Diverse City, in 2011.
2011: Tonight Used by Baltimore Orioles
TobyMac's single "Tonight" was used as a pregame introduction at Baltimore Orioles home games during the 2011 MLB season.
March 27, 2012: Dubbed and Freq'd Release
TobyMac's remix album, "Dubbed and Freq'd: A Remix Project," featuring remixes from his previous two studio albums, was released on March 27, 2012.
June 12, 2012: Me Without You Release
The first single from TobyMac's "Eye on It" album, "Me Without You," was released on June 12, 2012.
August 28, 2012: Eye on It Release
TobyMac's fifth studio album, "Eye on It," was released on August 28, 2012, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, a first for a Christian album since 1997.
September 1, 2012: Me Without You Tops Christian Songs Chart
On September 1, 2012, TobyMac's "Me Without You" reached No. 1 on Billboard's Christian Songs chart.
2012: Eye on It Release
TobyMac released his fifth studio album, Eye on It, in 2012.
2013: Family in Blue Bloods Ad and I'm in Love with a Church Girl Appearance
In 2013, TobyMac's song "Family" was used in a promotional campaign for the show "Blue Bloods," including a Super Bowl ad. He also appeared in the film "I'm in Love with a Church Girl."
2013: Grammy Award
TobyMac's album Eye on It won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album in 2013.
November 4, 2014: Eye'm All Mixed Up Release
"Eye'm All Mixed Up," a remix album featuring remixes from TobyMac's "Eye on It" album, was released on November 4, 2014.
2014: Worship, Stories, and Songs Tour
During his "Worship, Stories, and Songs Tour" in 2014, TobyMac performed "Beyond Me," the first single from his new album.
2014: Eye'm All Mixed Up Release
TobyMac released Eye'm All Mixed Up, a remix album of Eye on It, in 2014.
January 6, 2015: Beyond Me Release
TobyMac released "Beyond Me," the first single from his upcoming album, on January 6, 2015.
June 9, 2015: Backseat Driver Release
"Backseat Driver" was released as a promotional single from TobyMac's "This Is Not a Test" album on June 9, 2015.
July 10, 2015: Til The Day I Die Release
"Til The Day I Die" was released as a single from TobyMac's album "This Is Not a Test" on July 10, 2015.
July 24, 2015: Feel It Release
"Feel It" was released as a single from TobyMac's album "This Is Not a Test" on July 24, 2015.
August 7, 2015: This Is Not a Test Release
TobyMac's sixth studio album, "This Is Not a Test," was released on August 7, 2015, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart.
2015: "Love Feels Like" Release
DC Talk collaborated on "Love Feels Like" on TobyMac's album This Is Not a Test in 2015.
2015: Father's Death
In 2015, TobyMac's father passed away after battling dementia. This loss deeply affected him and later influenced his songwriting, as he revealed in 2017.
2015: This Is Not a Test Release
TobyMac released his sixth studio album, This Is Not a Test, in 2015.
2016: Grammy Award
TobyMac's album This Is Not a Test won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album in 2016.
November 3, 2017: Light of Christmas Release
TobyMac released "Light of Christmas," his second compilation of Christmas songs, on November 3, 2017.
2017: Songwriting Inspiration from Father's Death
By 2017, TobyMac had drawn inspiration from his father's struggle with dementia and subsequent death in 2015, using these experiences to fuel his songwriting.
January 2018: I Just Need U Release
In January 2018, TobyMac released "I Just Need U," which debuted at No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
July 2018: Everything Release
TobyMac released "Everything" as a single in July 2018.
September 2018: Scars Release and The Elements Announcement
In September 2018, TobyMac released "Scars" as a single and announced his upcoming album, "The Elements."
October 12, 2018: The Elements Release
TobyMac's album "The Elements" was released on October 12, 2018, and became his fifth album to top the Billboard Christian Albums chart.
2018: The Elements Release
TobyMac released his seventh studio album, The Elements, in 2018.
October 23, 2019: Truett McKeehan's Death
TobyMac's son, Truett, passed away on October 23, 2019.
2019: The St. Nemele Collab Sessions Release
TobyMac released The St. Nemele Collab Sessions, a remix album, in 2019.
January 10, 2020: 21 Years Release
On January 10, 2020, TobyMac released the single "21 Years," dedicated to the memory of his son, Truett, who passed away on October 23, 2019.
May 8, 2020: The Lost Demos Release
TobyMac released "The Lost Demos," an EP of recovered demos, on May 8, 2020.
February 19, 2021: Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight) Release
TobyMac released "Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)" as a single on February 19, 2021.
September 17, 2021: Promised Land Release
TobyMac released "Promised Land" as a single on September 17, 2021.
January 7, 2022: Promised Land (with Sheryl Crow) Release
On January 7, 2022, TobyMac released a new version of "Promised Land" featuring Sheryl Crow.
June 2, 2022: The Goodness Release
TobyMac released "The Goodness," a collaboration with Blessing Offor, on June 2, 2022.
June 10, 2022: Life After Death Announcement
TobyMac announced his album "Life After Death" on Instagram on June 10, 2022.
August 19, 2022: Life After Death Release
TobyMac's album "Life After Death" was released on August 19, 2022.
2022: Life After Death Release
TobyMac released his eighth studio album, Life After Death, in 2022.
2023: Hits Deep Tour Announcement
TobyMac announced his Hits Deep Tour for 2023.
