Life after death

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Today is Friday, September 9th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Myrna Brown.

NICK EICHER, HOST: And I’m Nick Eicher. Coming next: Life After Death. Nearly three years ago, TobyMac’s oldest son Truett, died of an accidental drug overdose. The veteran Contemporary Christian Music artist recently released his first album since that terrible day.

Myrna, you’ve had some time to take a listen to what is probably TobyMac’s most personal album ever.

BROWN: I have! It’s called Life After Death. And I admit, before listening to it, I was only a casual consumer of his blend of hip hop, rock and pop. I still consider myself a “true gospel girl,” I was captivated by his well-told story, in his own voice.

TOBYMAC: When we lost Tru, I had to work through my feelings and beliefs. I had to respond to know that I was alive. A few days after his passing I wrote 21 years, which is a tribute to my beautiful, first-born son and to let God know just how I felt.

21 YEARS SONG: Did he see you from a long way off? Running to him with a father’s heart? Did you wrap him up inside Your arms? And let him know that he’s home?

In the song 21 Years, TobyMac gives us complete access to a very raw and personal conversation with God. His transparency not only draws you in, it also keeps you engaged throughout most of the 15-song album.

21 YEARS SONG: 21 years makes a man full-grown. 21 years, what a beautiful loan. 21 years, I love everyone. Thank you Lord for my beautiful son.

After Truett’s death, Mac asked his daughter to join him at the piano. She had never written or sung professionally before.

TOBYMAC: I asked my daughter Marlee if she wanted to try writing a song about her feelings and the pain that we were experiencing and she said yes. Sometimes music can work like medicine or writing words and melodies can be like therapy. I was just hoping for some togetherness at the piano and a song emerged, called Everything About You.

SONG EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU: I miss everything about you. I just miss being around you. Out of sight, out of mind, don’t add up not this time. It’s the cold hard truth….

Warm and soft, the song Everything About You will likely leave you nostalgic, especially if you have siblings. The keyboard and live orchestra bring just the right touch to this heartfelt song. But don’t expect the album to be drenched in a flood of melancholy.

SONG HELP IS ON THE WAY: Help is on the way (round in the corner) Help is on the way (coming for you) Help is on the way (yeah, yeah) I lived enough life to say. Help is on the way…

Mac says he wrote the song Help Is On The Way at the intersection of his grief and faith.

TOBYMAC: And then I read a scripture in Isaiah 52 that caught my attention. I had never noticed it before and it spoke directly to my heart. It said God is rolling up his sleeves.

HELP IS ON THE WAY SONG: It may be midnight or midday. It’s never early, never late. He gon’ stand by what He claims. I’ve lived enough life to say.

Help is On the Way is a head-bobbin’ foot stompin’ gospel-tinged song. But that’s not the only reason it’s my favorite. The four baritone back-up singers remind me of the men in my hometown church, whose broad shoulders and big voices filled the choir stand every 5th Sunday.

SONG FAITHFULLY: I’ve had a hard time finding the blue in the skies above me.

The song Faithfully is one of TobyMac’s favorites. It’s also one of his rare solo songs on the project, giving us a gut-wrenching insight into the dark days and nights following his son’s death.

FAITHFULLY SONG: But when my world broke into pieces you were there faithfully. When I cried out to you Jesus you made a way for me.

Now, here’s the thing, with lyrics that point so clearly to Jesus, I was disappointed when a TobyMac interview wasn’t as open as his music.

GMA ANNOUNCER: Now to Christian music star TobyMac…

During a Good Morning America interview last month, the reporter asked TobyMac…

REPORTER: People wonder how do you get through the first days of something like this? I can’t give you the answer Chris of how you get through it. I know how I did and it was music.

I so wanted to hear him use that national platform to boldly proclaim…

FAITHFULLY SONG: But when my world broke into pieces you were there faithfully. When I cried out to you Jesus you made a way for me.

The list of collaborators on this project is long—from Sheryl Crow and Zac Williams, to Cory Asbury and former DCTalk band mates Michael Tait and Kevin Max. But don’t we all find solace in our community when navigating a dark season? Life After Death is a collection of songs that are both painful and hopeful. The project will speak deeply to anyone unexpectedly walking through the valley of the shadow of death. And at some point, that will be all of us.

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