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Grammy winner Toby Mac comes to Sun Dome Nov. 20

 
Singer/songwriter TobyMac has been making music for 25 years.
Singer/songwriter TobyMac has been making music for 25 years.
Published Nov. 12, 2015

At age 51, Christian hip-hop artist TobyMac shows no signs of slowing down.

The six-time Grammy Award winner, who began his career in 1989 as a member of DC Talk, released his seventh solo album, This Is Not a Test, in August, then began a 37-stop tour.

TobyMac (Toby McKeehan) will appear at the Sun Dome at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20. Artists Britt Nicole and Colton Dixon will open. Audiences can expect high-energy performances.

I asked TobyMac how he keeps it fresh 25-years into a successful music career.

How has Christian music changed since your career began?

It is not as much of a box as it used to be in. I think we can sing about way more things. I feel a lot of freedom to write about what I am going through in life, like relationships gone good or relationships gone bad. I feel freedom to write about my struggles. There's not as much of a need to act like you have everything together.

How has your music changed?

From a lyrical standpoint, I've always written the things that I am living, the things I am going through, the good, the bad and the ugly of Toby's life. My writing is changing because my life is always changing. I went from a little punk who got an apartment in Nashville with his two best friends after they left school, to having a Jamaican wife and five little Jamericans. Life changes, so the lyrics change.

What keeps you excited about making new music?

I love the fact that music is a language that can penetrate someone's heart, and can communicate to someone when a conversation might be uncomfortable. It opens doors and softens hearts. It can make someone passionate about something. It can hype someone up.

As a Christian hip-hop and pop artist, what are your thoughts on Christian hip-hop today? Who are your favorite artists and why?

Sometimes, the moniker Christian hip-hop is hard because we all want (including myself) our music to fall on open ears and it be given a chance. We don't want it to fall on deaf ears just because of a label. Am I a Christian? Absolutely, but my music should just be called music. I love where hip-hop made by Christians is going. I love it. I am the biggest advocate of it. I turn people onto what 116 is doing. They are representing, and I am a huge fan. Their music is in my car. I love the way they are really making a mark and they are doing exactly what I thought Christian hip-hop could do and that is to be out there in the mainstream. So I love LeCrae, Andy Mineo and KB.

What music have your kids enjoyed? What music do you want them to avoid and why?

My family is all over the map. Some, all they listen to is LeCrae, Tedashii and Andy Mineo. Then, others listen to more mainstream rappers. My daughter loves Ed Sheeran and worship music. My 13-year-old son Moses is down for whatever the latest dance song is. I don't let them listen to vulgar songs that would turn their minds one way or another. Worship is a big part of our family's lives including artists like Hillsong United and Matt Redman. However, there are times when we will throw on mainstream music and have a big dance party.

Do you see yourself making music for years to come?

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I am not sure. I want to make music as long as I believe that it is still resonating with people where they are. As long as I am still passionate about it and believing in the songs I am writing. I am wide open to doing music for another 10 or 15 years. However, if at the same time I feel in my heart that it is time to slow down, and then I am willing to do that, too. I love it though. I am still as passionate about it today as I was 20 years ago.

If Jesus welcomed to you heaven with a song, what would you want it to be?

10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman is what I would want to be playing. That is a special song that moved me from the first time I heard it.

Tickets for the This Is Not a Test Tour are available at ticketmaster.com.

Contact Sarah Whitman at sarahrothwhitman@gmail.com.