Toby McKeehan, better known as the rock/rap artist TobyMac, releases his fourth studio album today, Tonight—an album he feels is his most urgent with its messages of hope, redemption, and second chances. "I still believe a song can penetrate a heart," Toby says. "I believe God can use a song to open someone's mind and heart. I still believe that songs matter."
TobyMac
Formerly one-third of the Christian supergroup dc Talk, McKeehan has been flying solo since 2000 when the group went on an extended "hiatus." Fresh off another Grammy nomination—he's won four in the past, but this time he lost to Mary Mary in the Best Gospel Song category (Toby for "City on Our Knees," Mary Mary for "God in Me")—McKeehan spoke with us about his new album, his family, his duets with son "TruDog," and more.
You seem to release an album about every three years. Is that a typical cycle?
It is probably my typical creative cycle, although there are songs on each album that I have been sitting on for a couple years. I usually end up with 30 to 40 songs to choose from, and I always believe the cream rises to the top. Another reason for the delay between records is I am touring the entire time from release to release and rarely slow down to make the record. Unfortunately in the Christian industry it takes a while for everyone to be aware of it. We have to work harder and longer on the road to make people aware of our releases. In other words, we got to "let it stew."
Why's the album called Tonight? Does that capture the overall theme?
When you are a touring artist your entire focus is on the concert that you are about to play. Our prayer and our focus is on what happens that night. My hope is that everyone leaves that arena changed maybe mildly, maybe in a grand way, but I am hoping for change in myself as well as the people that are there … tonight.
The title track says you're "locked up and held captive in the clutches of my doubt." What's that mean?
In my pursuit of holiness sometimes I'm sprinting down the road to the mark, while other days I'm lying on the side of the road, gasping, doubting whether or not I can continue the race. Sometimes it's insecurity, other days it's pride, but either way I'm tripped up and fearful. Whether from a friend or from God's Word, I am reminded of his grace, which gives me the courage to get back up. Maybe people can just dial it in and maintain; I have never had that strength. The ebb and flow of my spiritual walk in a crazy world has always been a frustrating routine.
Speaking of "Get Back Up," is that about you, or someone in particular?
I have a friend who made some bad choices and lost his marriage, family, and essentially life as he knew it. He felt useless to God's kingdom, and I'd even go far enough to say worthless in many respects. I wanted to remind him that we all fall and he may be knocked down now but he is not out forever. On the outro (the most important part), I wanted him to hear God's voice saying, "This is love calling, love calling out to the broken."
Why'd you release "City on Our Knees" SO far in advance of the album? And is there a story behind that song?
Sometimes when you are passionate about something you can't hold it back. This one was finished and we all felt it was timely for society, so we sent it out early. Many times when I am writing a lyric I take 2-3 months per song, but in the case of "City" I didn't wrestle with God on this one. I just opened myself up and let him breathe it through me. Twenty-five minutes later it was finished. The song is based on something I have always dreamed of—letting go of the things that divide us, stepping across the line and being a body recognizing one God.
Your son Truett, aka "TruDog," has appeared on every one of your studio albums, including this new one. Talk a bit about that father-son collaboration.
With son Truett at the recent Grammy Awards
The TruDog tracks have always been a father-son moment, really just that simple: A dad and his kid messing around in a studio, having a good time and some laughs. It started when he was two. He stood on the chair that I sit in between takes; he got on the microphone and started talking. We placed his musings over a beat. It ended with a true confession, "I can't get off the chair." That was my first album, Momentum. After that it sort of became a "thing" that he and I both look forward to. I look at it as a commercial break in the middle of my record. It's tongue-in-cheek but who knows where it's going. And he was definitely more passionate about it this time around—he had opinions! [Image at left from Toby's Twitter page.]
What's the story behind "Start Somewhere"? Is that in the wake of a marital spat/argument?
Anyone who is married knows the feeling of offending and lying in an ice cold bed yet sweating. Sometimes our resolve to confess and seek forgiveness is more difficult to navigate than we can imagine. This song sums up a typical "post-stick my foot in my mouth" moment. Toby jacked up. How do I make this right, when do I make this right, I can't take this anymore, something's got to give. I'm sorry baby …
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Why do you want to include your struggles in your music?
If I write from what I experience, joy and pain will always co-exist; it's what I feel. And if I am experiencing these things, I know that we all are. We are not that different from each other; we are all moving through this life, experiencing internal issues that result in relational issues. If one isn't struggling, one isn't living, I would say. I have found that when I write honestly, it resonates with listeners. Maybe it encourages them to know that we are all going through them.
Why don't we sing more songs of struggle—of lament and confession—in church?
I think when we go to church we want to be reminded of our strength, and our strength is in Christ when we sit at his feet. I know when I walk in my church and they are worshipping, the tension eases and the pain subsides—if only for a minute—and I am reminded that my hope is in Christ. Is there room for lament? Of course, but it's probably not what I am looking for in a church setting. This could be debated but I think our resolve is pre-determined.
It's been a tumultuous decade for music, even before the recession. What's the biggest thing you've learned over these years?
If I have learned anything it is that I need to focus on writing songs that I am passionate about, songs that are honest, songs that make people want to dance, cry, shout, and sing. If I focus on how my music gets to the people, I'm not being an artist. I believe an artist needs to focus on creating, and let the business figure out how to get it to the people. I know there are indie artists who do both, but I believe these waters are difficult to navigate. If I am free to lock into my art, it only gets better.
The father of five is almost always on the go
What keeps you busy these days? I would think that being a father of five would be enough!
I have been writing a lot. As a matter of fact, after I handed in my Tonight album, I did a 2-week writers' camp and wrote with a different artist each day. That was a first for me; I have never done it with such a focused time, but it awakened a different side of creativity for me, not focusing on my own art but focusing on expressing for other artists. I enjoyed it, but now it's time to be putting a show together based on the Tonight album. I love getting together with the band and pulling off the album live. [He is starting a major tour with Skillet in March.]
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Otherwise, I've been in training for a half marathon to raise money for a multicultural school, playing hoops in a rec league, and attending my kids' basketball games, piano, and drum recitals. Helping Truett [his oldest] with the latest school project (the others are too young for projects). Helping with homework and long division … Man I have forgotten a lot; is it spring golf yet?
What's God been teaching you lately?
About the power of the people that surround us, and the effect they have on our lives. It's amazing when you can walk with people that cause you to walk more deeply and live more passionately. I am blessed. At the same time it breaks my heart to watch people get dragged down when they roll with jaded, cynical and bitter people. Simply put, who you walk with is who you become.