The Tipping Point is the sixth studio album by American hip hop band the Roots, released July 13, 2004 on Geffen Records. It is named after Malcolm Gladwell's book of the same name (2000), and is the follow-up to Phrenology (2002). The album is a musical departure from their previous work, featuring a more diverse, yet pop-oriented sound, and it contains lyrics associated with rapping-prowess, political insight, and social commentary. The Tipping Point has been noted by music writers for exhibiting and emphasizing soul, jazz, and funk influences as well. The song "I Don't Care" was featured on the soundtrack of the game Gran Turismo 4.
The cover image is a stylised rendering of a 1944 Boston police mug shot of Malcolm X, following his arrest for larceny.
Reception
The album debuted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 109,000 copies in its first week. Despite mixed criticism towards its production and lyrical substance, The Tipping Point received generally positive reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 72 out of 100 on Metacritic.
Track listing
Sample credits
"Star" samples "Everybody Is a Star" by Sly & The Family Stone
"Stay Cool" samples "Harlem Hendoo" by Al Hirt
"Web" samples "Dance Girl" by The Rimshots
Extra Notes
i = "Why (What's Goin' On?" only
ii = "In Love With The Mic" only
iii = "Din Da Da" only
iv = "Why (What's Goin' On?)" and "In Love With The Mic" only
Personnel
The Roots
Vocals: Tariq 'Black Thought' Trotter
Bass: Adam Blackstone & Leonard 'Hub' Hubbard
Drums: Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson
Guitars: Anthony Tidd, Captain Kirk Douglas & Martin Luther
Horns: Kevin Hanson
Sound Manipulation: Si McMenamin
Keyboards: Kamal Gray & Omar Edwards
Percussion: Frank 'Knuckles' Walker
Production
Producers: Questlove, Scott Storch, Melvin 'Chaos' Walker, Anthony Tidd, Frank 'Knuckles' Walker, Richard Nichols, Robert 'LB' Dorsey, Tahir, Zoukhari Executive Producer: Richard Nichols