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Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest

Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest

Music · Documentary · 2011

Having forged a 20-year run as one of the most innovative and influential hip hop bands of all time, the Queens NY collective known as 'A Tribe Called Quest' have kept a generation hungry for more of their groundbreaking music since their much publicized breakup in 1998. Michael Rapaport documents the inner workings and behind the scenes drama that follows the band to this day. He explores what's next for, what many claim, are the pioneers of alternative rap.

Movie details

Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest

2011 Music · Documentary 1h 37m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

Having forged a 20-year run as one of the most innovative and influential hip hop bands of all time, the Queens NY collective known as 'A Tribe Called Quest' have kept a generation hungry for more of their groundbreaking music since their much publicized breakup in 1998. Michael Rapaport documents the inner workings and behind the scenes drama that follows the band to this day. He explores what's next for, what many claim, are the pioneers of alternative rap.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

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The archetype split

Who fights over Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest?

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Michael Rapaport

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige

Self

Common

Common

Self

Q-Tip

Q-Tip

Self

Michael Rapaport

Michael Rapaport

Self

Phife Dawg

Phife Dawg

Self

Yasiin Bey

Yasiin Bey

Self

Ali Shaheed Muhammad

Ali Shaheed Muhammad

Self

Court is in session

Put Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.