TobyMac
Welcome to Diverse City
Forefront Records

“Welcome to Diverse City ” is just what you could expect from Toby Mac. It's a piece of work that comes naturally from Toby's diverse musical influences. Toby rests heavily on his hip-hop standards, but he doesn't follow conventional rules when applying this style. The title track is like a hip-hop throw back to the 70's, when roller skating was done on eight wheels in and in a flat circle, unlike the extreme sports of today. Then there's the rock/rap of “The Slam” and the “Atmosphere” remix that features all three members of DC Talk and sounds as if it came off of their last album together.

Overall, the diversity of the album is equally matched by its quality; the quality of the lyrics and the quality of production. Toby Mac fans can rejoice in this new project and DC Talk fans can revel in the one-song reunion.

•  Ken W.

In Toby's Own Words

Interview conducted by 30-CC (July 2004)

30-CC: Your second solo CD “[Welcome to] Diverse City ” comes out this fall – why are you calling it “ Diverse City ?”

Toby Mac: It's really about – if we're going to be a city on a hill as believers then we have to be a diverse city. I believe that we have to see all cultures and all races, lots of denominations, and I think when we begin to do that and come together, we will shine brightly.

30-CC: What can audiences expect from your new record?

Toby Mac: I think my art is very eclectic, sort of all over the place. My sound isn't like this constant, ‘oh I know that's a Toby Mac song'. Some of it's hip hop, some of it's hip hop with harder guitars, some straight pop with an R&B slant. You can expect diversity on Diverse City musically, and the guests that are on there, and the messages. Obviously the message is going to be of hope that I found in Christ.

30-CC: What's going to be the first single, and what's behind the song?

Toby Mac: The first single… I'm not sure yet. That might be up to the label to some degree. There is a song called “ Diverse City ”, which is about what we just talked about. There is also a song called “Slam”, which is about what Christ did for us on the cross; that He just didn't do it half-way, but he slammed it. There is a song that's called “Gone” that's about a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship that's gone bad because the guy wasn't treating her right. She lets go of him and I'm affirming her letting go. So there is a lot about life experiences as believers. Every song isn't an evangelical song, but every song is written from a Christian world view.