Momentum (TobyMac album)

Momentum is the debut studio album from American recording artist TobyMac. It was released on November 6, 2001, through ForeFront Records.[4]

Momentum
Studio album by TobyMac
Released	November 6, 2001
Recorded	2001
Genre	Christian hip hop, rapcore, Christian rock
Length	50:58
Label	ForeFront
Producer	Toby McKeehan, Pete Stewart, Jeff Savage, Randall Crawford, Mooki, Todd Collins
TobyMac chronology
Momentum (2001) Re:Mix Momentum (2003)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	Allmusic review
Cross Rhythms	[1]
HM Magazine	Mostly positive[2]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[3]

The album was well received and was nominated for a Grammy. It contains a message of tolerance and diversity in society.

Musically it has an urban pop sound which HM commented contains shadows of early DC Talk material.[2] In 2003, Re:Mix Momentum was released.

Background

In the later months of 2000, DC Talk, announced plans to take a hiatus. In November an album, Intermission: The Greatest Hits, was released to commemorate the split. The next album, Solo, released on April 24, 2001, indicated that solo careers were impending. The first two solo releases were, Empty, released July 3 by Tait, and Stereotype Be released August 28 by Kevin Max. Momentum's release was pushed back due to the September 11 attacks, and was released on November 6, 2001.

Critical reception

Jesus Freak Hideout's John DiBiase claimed "Momentum does in fact live up to its title. It has [momentum], slamming the listener with truthful lyrics, an honest message, and infectious rhythms and rhymes."[5] Ashleigh Kittle of AllMusic stated "Momentum, an album reminiscent of DC Talk's early work, sets itself apart as a project highly deserving of the title 'much anticipated'. It is intricately detailed with layers of musical depth, combined with strong social messages such as racial reconciliation. And so it is with this release that tobyMac continues to reveal that he is indeed a modern day Renaissance man."[6] Cross Rhythms' David Bain said "This eclectic album takes you on a breathtaking tour of diverse styles from gospel, on 'J Train' which features Kirk Franklin, to hard music, 'Yours' and 'Extreme Days' (featured on the film soundtrack), to the more subtle shades of hip hop, 'Irene' and 'In The Air' (a take of a classic Motown hit), all with Toby's infectious touch of rap throughout. The mixture of so many styles on this project made it tricky to place it under a category — perhaps rock would have been just as apt! But don't let that put you off, as the production and lyrical quality is suburb, with talented contributions coming from the likes of DJ Form, DJ Maj, Pete Stewart, Mooki and Otto Price. A great album for group playing and personal listening as there is something for everyone (well, almost!)."[7]

Track listing

Standard edition[8]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Get This Party Started"	Toby McKeehan, Pete Stewart, Michael-Anthony Taylor	McKeehan, Stewart	2:22
2.	"What's Goin' Down"	McKeehan, Stewart, Stephen Stills	McKeehan, Stewart	3:42
3.	"Irene" (featuring Joanna Valencia)	McKeehan, Randall Crawford, Stewart	McKeehan, Jeff Savage, Crawford	4:12
4.	"Toby's Mac" (Interlude)			0:45
5.	"J Train" (featuring Kirk Franklin)	McKeehan, Savage, Crawford	McKeehan, Savage, Crawford	3:27
6.	"Do You Know" (featuring Joanna Valencia)	Gerald Goffin, Michael Masser, McKeehan, Taylor	McKeehan, Mooki	3:55
7.	"Tru-Dog" (Interlude)			1:06
8.	"Momentum"	McKeehan, Taylor, Stewart	McKeehan, Mooki	3:23
9.	"Yours"	McKeehan, Stewart	McKeehan, Stewart	3:52
10.	"Quiet Storm" (Interlude)			0:34
11.	"Wonderin' Why" (featuring Joanna Valencia)	McKeehan, Taylor	McKeehan, Mooki	3:42
12.	"Somebody's Watching" (featuring Joanna Valencia)	McKeehan, Taylor, Rockwell	McKeehan, Mooki	3:15
13.	"Triple Skinny" (Interlude)			0:32
14.	"Love is in the House"	McKeehan, Stewart	McKeehan, Stewart	5:18
15.	"Extreme Days"	McKeehan, Taylor, Jamie Rowe, David Bach	McKeehan, Mooki	3:40
16.	"Don't Bring Me Down" (Interlude)			2:02
17.	"In the Air"	McKeehan, Glenn Galaxy	McKeehan, Todd Collins	4:01
18.	"Afterword" (Interlude)			1:02
Total length:				50:58

Notes

• "What's Goin' Down" samples the Buffalo Springfield song "For What It's Worth"
• "Do You Know" samples the Diana Ross song "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)"
• "Somebody's Watching" samples the Rockwell song "Somebody's Watching Me"

History

Besides being tobyMac's only studio album not to crack the top 100 on the Billboard 200, Momentum is his longest studio album by track listing and second-longest by duration (beaten only by Welcome to Diverse City).

Music videos

• "Get This Party Started"
• "Irene"
• "Extreme Days"

Personnel

• TobyMac – lead vocals, background vocals, drum programming
• Mooki – background vocals, drum programming, keyboards
• Pete Stewart – guitars, bass, Wurlitzer, programming, background vocals
• Jeff Savage – programming, B3, keyboards, turntables, piano, analog bass, background vocals
• Brian Haley – drums
• Barry Graul – guitars
• Tony Lucido – bass
• Dave Wyatt – keyboards
• Michael Ripoll – guitars
• Scott Savage – percussion

Charts

Chart (2001)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[9]	110
US Top Catalog Albums (Billboard)[10]	5
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[11]	8

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[12]	Gold	500,000^^
^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Bain, David (January 2002). "Toby Mac - Momentum". Cross Rhythms (67).
2. Bandoppler, Treble (January–February 2002). "Reviews / Momentum". HM Magazine (93): 54. ISSN 1066-6923.
3. DiBiase, John (2001-11-06). "tobyMac, "Momentum" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
4. "tobyMac - Momentum (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs. November 6, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
5. DiBiase, John (October 27, 2001). "tobyMac, 'Momentum' Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
6. Kittle, Ashleigh. "Momentum - tobyMac - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
7. Bain, David (January 3, 2002). "Review: Momentum - TobyMac - Cross Rhythms". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
8. "Momentum by tobyMac on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). November 6, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
9. "tobyMac Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
10. "tobyMac Chart History (Top Catalog Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
11. "tobyMac Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
12. "American album certifications – TobyMac – Momentum". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 10, 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.