After the Sundance pick-up of POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Sony Pictures Classics have nabbed their second documentary film from Park City in Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest. In the press release, the first time director Michael Rapaport (who we had a chance to interview) mentioned that "as a first time filmmaker to have the support of SPC is like being signed by the NY Yankees."
Gist: This documents the inner workings and behind-the-scenes drama that follow the band, A Tribe Called Quest, even today and explores what's next for a group many claim are the pioneers of alternative rap. Having helped to pave the way for innovative hip hop artists, A Tribe Called Quest has kept a generation hungry for more of its groundbreaking music since the group’s much-publicized breakup in 1998. A Tribe Called Quest has three platinum albums - Midnight Marauders, The Low End Theory and Beats, Rhymes & Life, multiple Grammy nominations and headlined the 2008 “Rock the Bells” concert series alongside Snoop Dogg and Wu-Tang Clan.
Worth Noting: Of the four members who are also the film's producers - three were no-shows at the Sundance premiere because they were't happy with the edit. However, an emotional Phife Dawg gave the doc his blessing especially after having felt the love from he audience.
Do We Care?: We aren't connoisseurs of the hip-hop scene, but the buzz surrounding this doc was pretty strong. The key concern is: will SPC be able to pitch this to a larger demo than just fans of the group?
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