The Tipping Point is the sixth studio album by American hip-hop band the Roots, released July 13, 2004 on Questlove's Okayplayer Records and Geffen Records. It is named after Canadian journalist Malcolm Gladwell's book of the same name (2000),DeRogatis, Jim. "Review: The Tipping Point". Chicago Sun-Times: 7. July 11, 2004. Archived from the original on 2009-10-05. and is the follow-up to Phrenology (2002).Frosch, Dan. "Review: The Tipping Point". Vibe: August 2004. 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.Columnist. Review: The Tipping Point . IGN. Retrieved on 2009-10-05.Pareles, Jon. Review: The Tipping Point. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2009-10-05.Empire, Kitty. Review: The Tipping Point. The Observer. Retrieved on 2009-10-05. 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 weekGelder, Laurence Van. Arts Briefing: Thursday, July 22, 2004. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2009-12-05. selling 428,000 in the US, as of 2008. Despite mixed criticism towards its production and lyrical substance,Bieritz, Erick. Review: The Tipping Point. Stylus Magazine. Retrieved on 2009-12-05.Wang, Oliver. Review: The Tipping Point. The Village Voice. Retrieved on 2009-10-05. 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, Zukhan Executive Producer: Richard Nichols
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2004)PeakpositionCanadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)11Canadian R&B Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)5
Year-end charts Chart (2004)PositionSwiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)95US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)86
References
Notes
External links The Tipping Point at Discogs The Tipping Point at Metacritic