Way Back: The Tipping Point (2004)
The Roots sixth studio album, The Tipping Point, would be a small departure from their traditional sound. They brought back the band, but went for more of a clean-cut sound. Less riffs on the end of tracks, a more traditional song structure, and even a guest producer made appearances on this project. Rapper/vocalist, Malik B, was noticeably absent, allowing Black Thought to carry nearly all of the lyrical workload save for a few features.
The album starts with the blues-themed track, “Star/Pointro”. The background singers pay homage to Sly and the Family Stone while Black Thought kicks off with his usual lyrical mastery. He bounces between bars on societal issues to the braggadocious lines that are almost mandatory on beats this good.
One signature throughout the Roots discography is that Black Thought will commit a few bars to lightening the mood when necessary:
“In the game, where everybody got a shottie to draw
I guess you probably a thug, you boss ballin or what?
I can't call it man, I got the ladies fallin in love
Cause handsome, intelligent, tough - I'm all the above”
“Don’t Say Nuthin’” and “Duck Down” show the group taking a break from the acoustic grooves they’ve become known for. Instead, they employed the production services of their former pianist, Scott Storch. In 2004, he’d become the genre’s latest star producer, and he lent his expertise on these head-bobbing synthy tracks.
Critics were tough on the album, citing minimalist beats and a lack of focus in the lyrics. It may not be the group’s best work, but there are certainly more good tracks than bad ones. Even on “Don’t Say Nuthin” where Black Thought mumbles through most of the chorus, he’s cleverly doing what the song title says. It’s hard to trust the words of critics that are evaluating work like this when they operate from outside of the culture.
In fact, it’s on this track where Black Though hints at the group’s dispute with their old label, Geffen. He raps “Give it here Geffen Records, I'm off the handle, cut the check, and yo it better be as heavy as anvil”. Drummer, Questlove once described the label applying pressure for them to achieve more mass appeal. The song could be seen as a protest against the label. The track still sounded great, despite their attempt to “say nuthin’”.
On “Guns Are Drawn”, the group vouches for their brand of hip-hop. While they are not above a song to dance to, they won’t limit the depth of the genre to those kind of tunes.
“And some might say that it's a waste of time
Cause ain't no amount of dancing finna break the bondage
We go to war and transcend space and time
When every record ain't a record just to shake behinds”
A highlight on the album is the smooth “Stay Cool”. If you listen close enough, you’ll hear that the band is performing a sped up cover of Al Hirt’s “Harlem Hendoo”. Even on this mellow track, we get a few lines on what it’s like dealing with police brutality, a prevailing theme since rap’s inception.
“Yeah, when I'm crusin in my vehicle, the Jakes harass me
They never ride past me, they really comin at me right
“Web” feels like a preview of some of Black Thought’s recent solo work. He raps for about 3 minutes over a basic drum beat with no rest, melodies, or hook. It’s just bars, delivered in a variety of flows.
“I do work, no question, and bomb your set
I'm calm collect, sharp like my name Gillette
RIP my man Gillette until I touch the mic
Y'all people ain't seen danger yet
I'm a decorated vet, I regulate and wreck
Never hesitated yet, I'm gettin' heavy weighted checks
If you would dare ask if I'm dedicated - yes
I spit live rounds that'll penetrate a vest”
Spin The Tipping Point today get a reminder on how the famous Roots crew used to get down before they secured the Jimmy Fallon show gig. It’s a small taste of hip-hop in its truest form: dope beats and slick rhymes.
