Grammy nominee coming to Kennewick with Christian rapper TobyMac
When Tauren Wells first stepped on stage to perform an original song, his fellow church members raised their hands to God, rose to their feet and worshipped along with him.
At 16 years old, he couldn’t believe people actually responded to something he had written.
“Looking back, they must have had headphones in, because the song I was playing was terrible,” Wells joked about his first song, “I Need You.”
“All joking aside, that’s when I learned that music is such a powerful vehicle that takes us into God’s presence in such a unique way. That’s when I felt the love of songwriting,” he said.
From those early beginnings in a church pulpit, Wells has now performed in arenas across the country, from Madison Square Garden to the Hollywood Bowl.
He’s now touring with popular Christian rapper TobyMac, as the supporting act. TobyMac’s “Hits Deep Tour 2020” will make a stop at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29 at Kennewick’s Toyota Center.
Along with TobyMac, whose son died suddenly last October, Wells will perform the leap day concert with Jordan Feliz, We Are Messengers, Ryan Stevenson, Aaron Cole and Cochren & Co.
“I love and respect the people on this tour so much,” Wells said. “I’m really pumped to be with them and to do life together for a few months.”
For the “Hits Deep” tour, Wells said he will perform some of his well known, Grammy-nominated songs, such as “Known” and “Hills and Valleys.” He’s also looking forward to debuting music from his latest album, “Citizen of Heaven,” which dropped Jan. 24.
Wells said the album’s release comes during a critical year, where the country is in the midst of “political, social and cultural turmoil.”
“It’s easy, even as believers to get wrapped up in a lot of the negativity that comes with being in this world. (This album) is a reminder that we are not just in the world, we are of the world. … We’re built for something other than this,” Wells said.
That theme stands out in a new song he’s bringing to Kennewick called “Like You Love Me,” where some of his early influences from the likes of Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson shine through. Wells said he wants the song to remind people to worry less.
“Worry is just a darkroom in which the negatives develop,” Wells said. “I hope that this song shines a light into people’s lives and that they remember that they are loved and treasured by God.”
Wells said he hopes his music can rebrand the way people view faith, church and Christianity.
“I love being able to be free and dance and have fun,” Wells said. “It’s not dead. It’s not dying. It’s not boring. It’s fun. It’s alive. It’s something that people want to be a part of.”
Tickets for the “Hits Deep 2020 Tour” are still available, starting at $21.75 from the Toyota Center box office. They can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Tickets purchased through the Toyota Center avoid online fees.