Just as Achebe sought to reclaim the African narrative from colonial perspectives, The Roots used this album to reclaim hip-hop from the "bling era" and increasing commercial superficiality. The title serves as a metaphor for the breaking point of the culture. The album’s cover art—featuring historical images of social injustice (such as the two teenagers being chased by police in the 1960s)—grounds the music in a lineage of struggle.
Just as Achebe sought to reclaim the African narrative from colonial perspectives, The Roots used this album to reclaim hip-hop from the "bling era" and increasing commercial superficiality. The title serves as a metaphor for the breaking point of the culture. The album’s cover art—featuring historical images of social injustice (such as the two teenagers being chased by police in the 1960s)—grounds the music in a lineage of struggle.