What does it mean to be a pioneer of an art-form? How does one cope with and endure being a pioneer? A Tribe Called Quest (ATCQ), the dichotomous and so-called original "intelligent hip-hop" group hailing from Queens, New York, and stars of "Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest" try to answer these questions.
With as many classic albums under their belt as there were original members, ATCQ is an endless source of debate and fascination for fans and critics alike.
I rode the 7 train on my way from Queens to Times Square to see "Travels"; the same train-ride that ATCQ members, Phife Dawg, Q-Tip, Ali, and Jarobi took on their way to the studio while recording their groundbreaking albums in the 90s.
It's a funny feeling seeing "Travels" in New York City. There I was, sitting in a subway car, looking through the window, and watching the same graffiti on the same buildings pass by as I had seen in the movie just minutes ago. It helps you understand why a hip-hop super-group such as ATCQ could fall apart while enjoying the greatest possible success. We are merely human.
Actor-turned-director Michael Rapaport focuses "Travels" on the two most vocal and influential members of ATCQ - Q-Tip and Phife Dawg - and the perpetual fluctuation of their relationship. For over a decade, fans have never been quite sure why ATCQ broke up; rumors of label pressures and fractures of friendship surfaced but nothing was certain.
A self-proclaimed ATCQ fanatic, Rapaport dutifully shies from taking sides on what turns out to be a petty and trivial feud between two geniuses of their art. And although he devotes a large amount of attention to the beef, Rapaport understands his calling to remind us what music was and can be - a striking mixture of self-enlightenment and bold ingenuity.
Unfortunately, Rapaport's focus on the pettiness detracts from such an eclectic and avant-garde period of music. But when classic ATCQ anthems like "Bonita Applebum" broke out on-screen, the theater was sure to shriek with excitement and rap along.
Although we are left with a slightly ambiguous but apropos ending, the making of "Travels" was certainly no cake-walk. Angry tweets by Q-Tip and reports of Phife breaking down and crying at the Sundance premier only added to the allure, but once the credits roll, we can all agree on one thing.
When's the next Tribe album coming out?
B
