DOCUMENTARY | BEATS RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST

Written By: Tom Dance on August 10, 2011 No Comment

If you’re a fan of Hip Hop then you’re a fan of A Tribe Called Quest. Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest, is set to be one of the most exciting musical documentaries in recent years and has already received much critical acclaim since its release in the US touring film festivals and individual theatres.

One of the most influential and timeless groups to have ever formed in the history of Hip Hop, A Tribe Called Quest pioneered an alternative soulful and jazz-infused style of Hip Hop that rejected and challenged the aggressive connotations of gangster rap, the dominant style at the time of their formation in 1985, changing and influencing the genre forever. A Tribe Called Quest released 5 gold and platinum selling albums within just eight years, releasing seminal albums ‘Low End Theory’ (1991) and ‘Midnight Marauders’ (1993), before their sudden break up in 1998.

In his directorial debut Michael Rapaport captures a unique insight into the story behind the group’s dispersion that has continued to effect the life-long friends’ relationship and creative cohesion when he joined A Tribe Called Quest on tour in 2008 when they reformed, performing to sold out stadiums and arenas across America.

Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest features interviews with Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and on-off member Jarobi White, as well as rarely told personal accounts from other members of the creative collective ‘Native Tongues Posse’, such as Busta Rhymes and De La Soul, painting a detailed and accurate picture of the group and the scene these artists developed together.

In addition to an inside look at the legendary Hip Hop outfit from the people who know best we also hear from those with a lot of love and respect for A Tribe Called Quest who attribute their own inspiration and creativity to the musical legacy ATCQ created with interviews from the Beastie Boys, Ludacris, The Roots, Kanye West, Pharrell, Mos Def, Santigold, Monie Love, Pete Rock, Large Professor, The Jungle Brothers and Common.

Release dates for the UK haven’t been announced yet but check out the trailer for Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest below… Yeti got a bop on!