TobyMac is a contemporary gospel inspirational artist/musician. He was one of the first Christian rappers and one of the few musicians that combine biblical words with music. He has an interesting life history and family. Read on to find out more about his personal, professional, and family life
TobyMac’s Biography
Toby Mckeehen was born Kevin Micheal Mckeehen on October 22, 1964, in Fairfax, Virginia and is best known by his stage name which is TobyMac. He attended elementary school at the Prime Ridge Elementary school and in his fourth grade, he attended Luther Jackson Intermediate for some months. He also attended Liberty University, where he met Kevin Max and Micheal Tait. Toby discovered his love for music at an early stage in life especially since he loved listening to everything from rap to hip-hop to rock music.
The artist said he drew his inspiration from Sting, an English songwriter cum singer, whom he happened to see one day leading his band with the song The Police in 1983 and that was how Toby instantly fell in love with music. After he had graduated from high school, he decided to pick up a career in music which was what drove him to start looking for like-minded individuals with whom he could share ideas and start an actual music career.
Career
TobyMac is a Christian and is also a Christian hip-hop recording artist, music producer, songwriter, and author. He was once a member of the Christian vocal trio dubbed DC Talk which he formed with Kevin Max Smith and Micheal Taitin in 1987 while in college at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was with them (the group – DC Talk) from 1987 to 2001 when they went on a hiatus. The group produced good music together and released many successful albums. TobyMac decided to start his solo music career when the group went on a break.
His first solo album was released on November 6, 2001, and it was titled Momentum and it was a hit which was a good start for Toby who since then has had about six successful albums. His first live album as a solo artist was titled Alive and Transported. Most of his songs have appeared on both Christian and mainstream media. One of his songs titled Get This Party Started was used in an episode of the television series Roswell. TobyMac was the founder of the music label, Gotee Records which he created with Todd Collins and Joey Elwood and together they produced some good songs.
TobyMac’s career has not been a dull one. He has won awards, including seven Grammies. He won a Grammy in 2009 for Best Rock Gospel Album and in 2011, he won the Top Christian Artist in the Billboard Music award and also won Top Christian Album award. Also in 2002, he won the Favourite Contemporary Inspirational Artist award in the American Music Awards.
Read Also: Is Tasha Cobbs Married? Who is Her Husband, Kenneth Leonard?
Family – Wife, Kids
“attachment_25416″ class=”wp-caption aligncenter” style=”width: 640px;” aria-describedby=”caption-attachment-25416″>
TobyMac and his family
TobyMac is married to Amanda Levy Mckeehan. They got married in 1994 and they have five children together. Their first child was Truett Mckeehan and he was born on September 4, 1998. Truett was followed by the twins – Moses and Marlee Mckeehan – adopted in 2002. Their fourth child was Leo, born on November 2, 2004, then the last born named Judah Mckeehan was born on 24, March 2006.
The twins, Moses and Marlee were adopted because after they had their first son Truett, the couple were finding it hard to have another baby. And so at the end of a series of praying exercises, they heard the information about a set of twins who needed a home. This was just like the answer to the prayer of TobyMac and his family and so they went ahead to adopt the twins and two years later, his wife, Amanda got pregnant for their fourth child, Leo and after him also came Judah.
Who is Amanda Levy Mckeehan?
Amanda Levy Mckeehan is the wife of gospel singer TobyMac. She gained fame as a result of her marriage to the singer. Amanda was born on January 9, 1971, in Jamaica to Judy and Robert Levy. There is no much information on her background, early life, and upbringing. Information on her education history is also absent. She is also called Mandy, a coinage from her real name Amanda. She got married to TobyMac in 1994 and has remained by his side ever since.