Wherever you live, you can turn on your radio and find a Christian music station playing songs from various Christian albums featuring contemporary Christian artists. Whether it is Christian rock, Christian rap/hip hop, gospel or praise and worship, these stations have extended play lists that appeal to the Christian community.
The popularity of modern praise and worship music has afforded Christian artists the opportunity to record their songs and original music. With the interest in contemporary Christian music, many churches have moved away from the traditional hymnal and now use the popular format of starting with up-tempo lively songs, followed by the more contemplative worship songs. As a result of this exposure, many Christian artists have gained the kind of popularity formerly reserved for pop culture artists.
TobyMac is one of the established stars of Christian music and has appeal in the genre of Christian rap/hip hop. From his start with the group, DC Talk, he has infused his music with an edge and rap beat that was unheard of before his rise to fame. He has had success in both record sales and concert tours, selling out arenas normally dedicated to rock stars. His persona on stage is more like a secular performer than that of a Christian artist, but his effectiveness in reaching the youth in the church is undeniable.
TobyMac has done what few Christian artists have been able to do. Some of his music has crossed over to the secular world and has been used in TV shows, movie soundtracks, commercials and even the Super Bowl, when the Arizona Cardinals used his song, “Ignition” as their entrance music. In 2008, during his youth rally in New York City, Pope Benedict XVI invited tobyMac to perform, which is considered another milestone in his unique career.
In spite of his accomplishments, tobyMac is not without his critics. Conservative elements in the church feel that his lyrics are too secular and not honoring to the principles of the teachings of Jesus Christ, a charge that has not deterred him from continuing in the path he feels destined to walk.