Throughout the 1990’s, A Tribe Called Quest established
themselves as one of the most influential (if not biggest selling) rap groups
ever. They released a trio of classic albums
that went a long way in shaping a non-stereotypical identity for Rap music. Creative differences between members Q-Tip
and Phife Dog would eventually tear the group apart as the latter’s struggle
with diabetes exacted a hefty toll on his personal and professional life. With Beats,
Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest, director and
lifelong fan Michael Rapaport documents the rise, fall, and enduring legacy of
four brothers travelling along a musical path.
Aside from the occasional episodes of VH1’s Behind the Music and TV One’s Unsung, Hip-Hop’s heroes and pioneers
very rarely get the royal treatment that documentarians bestow upon classic
rockers. Even then, the 44 minute long
programs regularly shown on cable networks rarely do their subjects
justice. They are done by filmmakers
that never manage to balance love and reverence with competent filmmaking. Michael Rapaport, a seemingly unlikely
candidate to immortalize a seminal rap group, has fashioned a touching
cinematic love letter to his favorite rap group with Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest.
Rapaport does not put a unique signature or visual stamp on
the film. He finds the dividing line
between amateurishness and artistic pretense and walks it like a tightrope. The grainy cinematography is reminiscent of
the on location style of Yo! MTV Raps
and Rap City. It has
an earthy feel that puts the Tribe on ground level with the viewer. While their creativity is to be admired, they
are not icons in the narrow sense. They
were just regular kids from Queens, basking if the rays of a fun and developing
culture while not sacrificing their own individuality. Rapaport uses the visual motifs of their
album covers as both framing and connective tissue. The primitively animated opening credits
sequence is reminiscent of that from “I left My Wallet in El Segundo.”
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A Tribe Called Quest: Q-Tip (left), Phife Dawg (center), and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (right). |
The story of the Tribe is layed out in a simple and easily
digestible fashion. Jonathan Davis (aka
Q-Tip), Malik Isaac Taylor (aka Phife Dawg), Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White
came together under the banner of the Native Tongues collective. Tip and Phife met as children. Over the course of eight years they released
five albums, the first three of which helped to fashion conscious Hip-Hop as
well the backpacker movement. Tip
emerges as the chief creative force behind the group, while Phife harbors
growing resentment at his perceived sidekick status. Phife’s health issues exacerbate the problems
and possibly affect his judgment and perception. During a short lived reunion on the Rock the Bells tour, things come to an
ugly head.
This is perhaps the portion of the film that caused Q-Tip to
withdraw his support. Having watched the
film, his concerns are unfounded. The
ongoing conflict between him and Phife is portrayed in a way that makes them
both seem endearingly human, which is exactly the vibe that emanates from the
very best of Tribes music. Rapaport
strips away the vulgar, soap opera aspects that are typically associated with
rap beefs to reveal something far more tragic.
While music can be a unifying force that brings friends closer, the business
side can often be both corrosive and divisive.
Phife’s struggle with diabetes is disarmingly moving and provides the
heart of the film.
The only oversight (if it can be called that) is that Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a
Tribe Called Quest never offers ample insight into Tribes creative
process. The creation of albums like Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders is a vital part of their legacy. Nonetheless, Michael Rapaport pays proper
tribute to this landmark group. His love
for their music and message are in every frame.
That is what ultimately resonates with the viewer, not the volatile
flare-ups between members. Q-Tip needs
to bestow his blessing upon it and be proud.
The Love Movement he started 21 years ago is still going strong.
They can be executed by way of filmmakers this under no circumstances do steadiness like plus reverence by using experienced film making.
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ReplyDeleteFantastic documentary that makes you realize how much you miss early 90's Hip Hop acts like De La Soul and how bad Hip Hop has been since TCQ left the game.
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