DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT For me A Tribe Called Quest meant the same thing as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin or the Rolling Stones, so my goal was to treat them the same way those groups have been documented over the years. Their unique talent, creativity and energy made them a force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop world when they broke out in the late 1980s. Their successes not only impacted the way people listened to hip-hop music but also how they subsequently created hip-hop music. As far as I was concerned, there hadn’t been a proper documentary about any rap group, so I was determined to create a film that didn't feel contrived or supplementary. I wanted to achieve the same raw and rare truth ATCQ captured in their music. During the process of making this film, I experienced some of the most creative highs and lows of my life, coupled with personal anxiety and excitement. The exciting moments came during the shooting of the film. Capturing beautiful live concert performances was a thrill. I have to say the more vérité-style moments and scenes were what made me realize that directing was something I will continue to for the rest of my career. Having unplanned and unexpected moments of truth and honesty unfold while the camera was rolling gave me the same adrenaline rush I've experienced as an actor between the words “Action” and “Cut.” One of the biggest challenges in making this film was portraying all four members of ATCQ in a clear and concise manner. Communicating their 30-year relationship in 90 minutes wasn’t easy. Articulating so many moments personally and professionally caused me many sleepless nights in and out of the editing room. The edit process was where this film was made, shaped and came to form. I was scared to death at times looking at over 100 hours of footage and knowing that there was great material, but at the same time not knowing how the hell I’d pull the best stuff together. My editor Lenny Mesina, who also worked as my personal therapist at times, really helped bring my original ideas to completion. I know that I made it for one reason and that’s because A Tribe Called Quest is my favorite group and I love their spirit and music. Always have and always will. -- Michael Rapaport Searching for A Tribe Called Quest Posted Jan 23, 2011, by Mike Plante Director (and hard working actor) Michael Rapaport premiered his documentary Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest to a pumped audience at the Temple Theatre on Saturday night, followed by an emotional Q&A. Rapaport brought up Phife Dawg, a member of the pioneering hip-hop group, and shared the mic with him. Rapaport made sure to acknowledge all the film's producers, insisting he did not make the film alone. "It's our film," he pointed out. Rapaport decided to make the documentary after a Tribe concert in 2006. Backstage was slammed with big stars, he recalled, reminding him of old shows of Hendrix and Joplin and other notables mingling. He told a big actor (he noted under his breath, for a laugh, that it was Leonardo DiCaprio) that he wanted to make a documentary about Tribe. Leo said, "You should do that." Rapaport said that for the first generation of hip-hop lovers like himself, A Tribe Called Quest are the Rolling Stones or the Beatles of their scene. He felt like his parents were divorcing when Tribe broke up. His first question while filming was whether they would make more music. "The life span [of hip-hop artists] is short," Rapaport said. "You have great hip-hop artists who were killed. You have great hip-hop artists that went to jail. The art form is still evolving. I thought it was criminal that [Tribe] wouldn't make music but they are all still functioning." Rapaport called the editing process "brutal." When he got into the editing room, he thought, "Oh shit. You're just a dumbass actor. What are you doing?" Overwhelmed with tons of concert footage from multiple cameras and many interviews with subjects who had tons of revealing stories, he decided to stick with the guys in the band and relied heavily on his editor Lenny Mesina, who was standing in the theatre at the premiere. Asked about the current state of hip-hop, Phife Dawg says there is a generation gap. A Tribe Called Quest started out professionally in 1989. Current labels and radio stations let artists be lazy and not try new things. "We have to be creative," and not just put out one hit and be happy. Someone else will come along next week and wipe all that out, if rappers don't work hard on their longevity, he said. "I want to let you guys know, I'm not that bad of a guy!" Phife noted. "It is real life, and I'm glad Mr. Rapaport was able to bring it to you in such a great way." Rapaport approached all the band members separately. Phife Dawg said he was caught off guard by the amount of attention Rapaport gave him. "I was thinking Behind the Music-ish or Driven… I love all those shows. I don't mind being in Lil' Wayne and Pink's business, but for me to put Tribe's business out there?" which got a big audience laugh. "We were in a funny place, forcing shows and stuff. I asked Mike, 'How real can I keep it? It's kind of messy right now.'" But all the other bands members had already agreed. Phife was on board. He knew there would be bumps in the road. "But I'm so happy to be here," Phife continued. "I just wish…" He had to stop and collect his emotions. "I wish the rest of them were here, man," he said about his fellow band members. "Q-Tip has no idea how many people love him. When he was up there cracking jokes, saying 'Yo, I almost pissed my pants,' you guys were dying with laughter. He don't see that. I just wish they were all here to witness how much love you guys showed this movie." He thanked the labels and the fans that gave them a chance as well. "I don't mind getting all the love," Phife said, as he was the only band member present. "But I love my dudes, everything we went through - good, bad, indifferent. We are 40 years of age. This is the time to reap the benefits and to enjoy - you know how many people would love to be in our place?"
- BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST - - CREDITS & SYNOPSIS - DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT - ABOUT THE BAND - ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS -
- BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST - - CREDITS & SYNOPSIS - DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT - ABOUT THE BAND - ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS -