Review: Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest
Posted: Apr 28, 2011 by CombatJack
Words By Jimmy Valentime
*SPOILER ALERT*
After months of back and forth, speculation, and controversy the movie Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest made its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival. As a fan of the group who was too young to experience them during their initial run, I was anxious but hesitant see the film considering Q-tip's harsh words towards the film’s director Michael Rapaport.
The film acts as both a traditional documentary and a tour dairy of Tribe Called Quest's appearance at Rock the Bells in 2008. The film is uneven but awe inspiring, as the film shows the group performing live and show as well as how they created their music. It’s a beautiful film, made by someone who cares about the group’s legacy and impact. At the same time, Michel Rapaport is telling a story and based on how he edited the film, it’s evident as to which side he chooses.
The film shows how all the members of the group first met. Tip and Phife have known each other since they were toddlers and the other members had gotten to know each other by the time they were freshmen in high school. Tribe tells the stories of meeting The Jungle Brothers in high school, getting their break through New York radio personality and rap legend DJ Red Alert, becoming members of the Zulu Nation and the creation of The Native Tongues.
The Tribe talks extensively about their first three albums and you get to see the fan reaction of famous peers such as Black Thought, Pharrell, Common and The Beastie Boys. One of the coolest parts of the film is watching different people geek out over certain bars and pieces of music from each album.
The film takes a turn as it covers the making of albums Beats, Rhymes and Life and The Love Movement. Phife did not take care of his health or his rap career and has a lot of bitterness over the ending of the group. Early during their carerr, Tip tried to get Phife to take responsibility with his diabetes but Phife alleged resentment over Tip being the leader made him act out in ways that were destructive to himself and the group.
Tip is shown as the creative leader of the group, coming up with a majority of the beats and song concepts. Phife had to at times be dragged into the studio during the making of their first album. Phife moved down to Atlanta in the mid 90’s, possibly to get away from Tip’s proximity. Those actions made it difficult for Tip and Phife to be friends outside of music.
I can see why Tip did not want the hostility that dominates the third act of the film to be included, as it makes the things Tribe stood for (Peace, Love, and Unity) seem insincere. The film captures Phife’ sentiment that Q-tip abandoned him in order to jump start his own solo career. The film at times tries to paint Q-tip the villain for the success he’s had outside of the crew.
Things boil over later in the film as Q-tip agrees to go out on tour with Tribe in order to help Phife out with his medical bills. Still the tension overflows as Q-tip at one point loses his shit over Phife’s constant shots at him and starts ranting to Maseo of De La soul during the Rock The Bells tour even going “Man, That's some faggoty shit”, referring to Phifes actions.
The conflict over the tour doesn’t work as strongly as the telling the genesis of group. It is more sad than riveting as intelligent men allow their egos to prevent them from being friends and business partners. Despite all the anger, in watching the film, it’s apparent that these guys still love each other. Jarobi (who Q-tip calls the soul of Tribe) even goes so far as moving down south to help take care of Phife.
The film ends on a positive note after The Rock the Bells fight. They go on tour once again and seem to all be in a better space as the credits roll. Now whether or not Tribe will continue to travel after the film is debatable, but it has been an amazing journey.
Jimmy Valentime is a writer and recording artist. His writings have appeared on SmokingSection.net, Byroncrawford.com, and Dallaspenn.com. His music has appeared on xxlmag.com and mixtapes by DJ Drama, DJ Vlad, and Green lantern. He is currently working on his first album of original material and a book of essays on hip-hop and American society.
Posted In: Features, review beats rhymes life the travels of a tribe c
blog comments powered by Disqus
Must Be Nice