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TobyMac Reflects on The Loss of 21-Year-Old Son Truett in New Album ‘Life After Death’

Photo from TobyMac’s Instagram

TobyMac Reflects on The Loss of 21-Year-Old Son Truett in New Album ‘Life After Death’

By Movieguide® Staff

Christian hip-hop artist TobyMac’s upcoming project will be his most personal yet, after losing his 21-year-old son, Truett, to a drug overdose in 2019.

“Life After Death chronicles my journey from the depths of the deepest valley to the beauty of God’s promise that He will never leave us. Ain’t no doubt about it, He is still the goodness in my life,” TobyMac says about the project.

The new album is called Life After Death.

“I will forever be a different man,” TobyMac told PEOPLE. “I thought, honestly, with my five kids and my bride, that I had the perfect life. And we’re really messy now. It’s not so neat anymore.”

TobyMac is married to Amanda, and they share twins Moses and Marlee, 20, and sons Leo, 17, and Judah, 16.

TobyMac, whose real name is Kevin Michael McKeehan, said that as he wrote the new album, the songs moved from sad to hopeful.

“The pain and anguish was just killing us. I never thought I would ever have it together again,” he said. “I want to write songs that resonate. It’s amazing how many people have experienced loss and how a song just loves them well, wherever they are. I’m so grateful for that.”

Despite the painful tragedy of losing their son, TobyMac said that he and his wife’s bond grew stronger through the trial.

“We just look each other in the eyes and talk about the hard things,” he explained. “That’s been special to our family and needed… Truett was their hero, so it’s hard. Do we all know that he made a mistake? Absolutely. We all know what happened. My kids are aware, but it doesn’t tarnish the person that Truett is to any of us.”

In his honor, TobyMac established the Truett Foster Foundation, which has already helped three young men through college with scholarships.

“We’re not scared to talk about it. It’s not a taboo subject. It’s something beautiful. [We have] the faith to believe, is Truett laughing at this right now? Is he saying, ‘Come on Dad, give him a break’ when I’m hard on his little brother? All that has been really good for us,” he said. “He’s part of an ongoing conversation. We meet every year at the park across the street where we had his service, and we tell stories about him — things he had done or said or made us laugh or when he was a bad boy or when he was so kindhearted. We remember him all the time.”

Movieguide® previously reported:

Christian artist TobyMac recently shared how his perspective on grief and eternity changed after his son, Truett Foster McKeehan, died of a drug overdose in 2019.

In a video from JOY FM, TobyMac said that grief motivated him to think more deeply about eternity and his relationship with God.

“I spoke about eternity before, but I never really thought about it deeply … because I didn’t need to,” he said. “I always trusted God. I always walked with God. It’s not a question of that.”

But his perspective shifted when Mckeehan died of an accidental overdose at the age of 21. TobyMac said that he was thankful for the support from fans worldwide amid what he confesses to being his first real experience with grief.

“The truth is, I didn’t know grief, really,” he said. “I just felt like everything was beautiful and perfect until the last few years. And then, when we lost Truett, everything changed and I met grief in the fiercest way.”

The artist continued, “I don’t know if I’ll ever laugh as deeply. I don’t know if I’ll ever smile as big. But I can smile and I can laugh. God doesn’t always take away the cold. He promises that He’ll be right there in it with us. That’s what I held on to. And I found Him there, or He found me there. I didn’t know God stayed close in those times, but I’ve learned that He does. I really have.”

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.