BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST (2011)

Directed By: Michael Rappaport
Cinematography By: Robert Benvidas
Editor: Lenny Mesina & AJ Schnack

Cast: A Tribe Called Quest, Mos def, Common, De La Soul, Monie Love, Beastie Boys, Angie Martinez, Ludacris, Black Thought, Pete Rock, The Jungle Brothers, DJ Red Alert, ?uestlove, Pharell Williams



After watching this film i wanted to go to a house party. It feels like you are at one when you are watching this Documentry.

A Tribe Called quest i must admit is a hip-hop group that i always enjoyed. in Fact Q-tip is one of the celebrities i always see in the streets.

The Few problems i had with the film is that while it does give you a history of the group and their position in the history of hip-hop it doesn't feel it goes deep enough. it goes surface deep and shows all the success, but it feels like a set-up for the third act. which is more about the fued between q-tip and phife dog. Where as ali always the middle man in this rivalry get's short shrift in the documentry as we get to know the other guys history we only get a glimpse into his personal history. All in all though the film serves it's subjects well. Showing Q-Tip the artistic genius who is charasmatic but also a bit egocentric. Phife Dawg the everyday guy who just happens to have a talent for rhyming who likes the life, but isn't as into it as the others in the group are. If anything i chalk the problems up to Michael Rappaport being a first time filmmaker and also too much of a fan to be really onjective. The fact that he is a fan though let's him through his lens his appreciation for the group and exactly what makes them tick and what makes them so good. He brings a infectous energy to the proceedings. Shows the beauty and purity of Classic hip-hop and culture and makes you remember if you were around if you weren;t it will make you wish to have experienced it.

I felt nostalgic plenty of times while watching this film. it reminded me of the old days growing up when these songs were coming out hitting the airwaves. When i was in my teens. I used to play videogames day and night and i didn't reallylike the sounds and soundtracks of the game so to get me more into the games i would usuallylisten to the radio. Which is why today i have such a love of music but knowledge of it. i remember the excitement when Midnight Marauders hit the streets. So much excitememnt that i went and bought it the next day myself. I will admit i was late to the group as i first found out about them through the song and video for SCENERIO. Which i saw of fox five Rap Talk hosted by dee barnes. The song a collaboration with LEADERS OF THE NEW SCHOOL with Busta rhymes who became a break out star of the later group.

I think the film is great and enjoyable even if you don't know of the group or it's music the film gives you a good overview of their work as well as a good introduction to them as people.

This is a film you should see in the theater as it gives you a you are there glipmse into not only their lives but also the concerts. What it takes to put together sngs and tours.

I think this is one of the better films i have seen this year.

GRADE: A