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

Spotlight

New York Premiere

USA | 98 MINUTES | English |

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

Documentary, Music
One of the most pioneering and beloved groups of all-time, A Tribe Called Quest seminally defined the sound of an early-'90s New York hip-hop scene that reverberated across the nation. Formed in 1985 by Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White, Tribe melded jazz-infused musicscapes and Afrocentric rhymes with bass-heavy rhythmic vibes, eclectic sampling, and intelligent lyrics addressing social and political issues with infectious energy.

Acclaimed actor Michael Rapaport (Zebrahead, Mighty Aphrodite) paints a remarkably personal portrait of the characters behind the group's sonic genius through their five albums, their highly publicized breakup in 1998, and beyond. Emotionally honest and forthright interviews with group members are intercut with electrifying footage of live performances, music videos from back in the day, and commentary from Common, Busta Rhymes, Mary J. Blige, De La Soul, Kanye West, Common, Mos Def, Ludacris, and the Beastie Boys. Whether or not A Tribe Called Quest will create another record remains a question—but the group's profound contribution to musical history and unparalleled artistic success undisputedly blazed a trail for future generations.

CAST & CREDITS

Directed by Michael Rapaport and Michael Rapaport

MICHAEL RAPAPORT got his break at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival in the award-winning film Zebrahead. Since then, he has appeared in more than 40 notable films, including True Romance, Higher Learning, Beautiful Girls, Copland, and Woody Allen's Mighty Aphrodite and Small Time Crooks. In 2006, he earned critical acclaim for the film Special.
Composer
Madlib
Producer
Edward Parks, Michael Rapaport, Frank Mele, Eric Matthies, Robert Benavides, Debra Koffler, ATCQ
Director of Photography
Robert Benavides
Editor
Lenny Mesina, AJ Schnack
Director
Michael Rapaport
Primary Cast
Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Jarobi White

CONTACTS

Director's Agent
Steve Small
Paradigm Agency
Phone: 310.288.8000
Producer
Edward Parks
RIVAL PICTURES
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 310.663.7347
edparks@rivalpictures.net
Director's Manager
Danny Sussman
Brillstein Entertainment Partners
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone: 310.205.5164