TobyMac is a Christian musician. Our family has enjoyed his music for many, many years. He was the founder of the group D.C Talk, which was a groundbreaking Christian group in the 1990’s. His impact on contemporary Christian music can’t be overstated. His impact on the industry must be respected. He influenced many musical artists.

One artist he influenced was his first born son, Truett, whom he would have rap little bits in his songs over the years. We all got to hear Truett grow-up on his father’s albums, and eventually he began to make music of his own. Eventually, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in secular music.

Things weren’t going very well for Truett personally, though. In 2018, TobyMac released a song dedicated to Truett called “Scars.” The song was inspired by the changes he was witnessing in his son, and in their relationship. He tried to accept that these trials were just a part of the growth process.

“He moved to L.A. and he’s making music and he’s doing his thing,” TobyMac told The Tennessean last October of the song’s inspiration “But to watch him go through that, and watch him get bruised, it’s not easy. So that’s one of the ways life has changed. In that song, I just want him to know he’s not alone.”^

The lyrics to “Scars” are painful to read. They speak of a son who is falling deeper and deeper into the world, while his father tries desperately to reason away his son’s choices and somehow stay connected to him. You can read the lyrics here: SCARS. 

Just over a year after he released “Scars,” and just after Truett’s music seemed to find an audience, tragedy struck. A few months ago, Truett, who was 21, was found dead in his parents’ home. It isn’t yet known how he died*, though it has been reported as cardiac arrest. The autopsy was completed a few days ago, but toxicology test results will take more time.*^.

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This week, TobyMac released a new song that speaks to this heartbreaking loss and his life-changing grief.

“Writing this song felt like an honest confession of the questions, pain, anger, doubt, mercy and promise that describes the journey I’m probably only beginning. One thing I know is that I am not alone. God didn’t promise us a life of no pain or even tragic death, but He did promise He would never leave us or forsake us. And I’m holding dearly to that promise for my son as well as myself.”^

This poor family. My heart aches for them. 

I think TobyMac, his wife, and their family would appreciate you saying a prayer for them. They are wearing heavy, heavy boots right now.  ❤

“21 Years”
by TobyMac