REVIEW OF BEATS RHYMES AND LIFE
By Shaun Ajamu Hutchinson
Tuesday, February 14, 2012.
There’s something missing in Michael Rapaport’s documentary about the seminal rap crew A Tribe Called Quest. Documentary and story telling skills are there for this first time director – although the handheld camera and fly-on-the wall observer techniques are overtly intimate. Extensive interviews are also just on the right side of being incisive supported by footage recording hip hop’s golden age that brings back special memories.
But absent are heart and passion – the main ingredient you could say – that made the Queens, New York’s rap collective legendary. The mostly Tribe soundtrack is homage for sure, and the animated sequences recall The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders album art. But only just skimmed are explorations of the creative process behind these two influential rap albums, or the classic People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm which preceded them and the crew’s two final albums or the cultural, social and political environment which nurtured them.
So what a choice for the first time director? Rapaport is a fan of old school hip hop – “since the days of Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie” – making a film about the monumental and still influential ATCQ (A Tribe Called Quest). And this documentary presents Rapaport the opportunity to focus the camera on a different angle of Tribe’s story – more human interest, maybe less so for rap/hip hop junkies.
So, what does a filmmaker choose?
Rapaport, a former star of the multi-awards winning comedy Friends, select human interest. But was that the best choice? The rivalry and tension between Tip and Phife as the core of this documentary, only serves to minimise the influence, skills and dynamic contributions to hip hop culture that this ground-breaking group made.
As a dramatic device, Rapaport’s rendition is effective for sure, but it relegates the history and evolution of Tribe to a secondary matter. And in any case – isn’t the essence of being in a band of musicians or cultural performers, disagreement, tension, battling out issues of creativity and artistic direction? This documentary’s focus on Phife’s medical problems only spotlights just how much Rapaport’s choice overshadows the creative genius from which grew The Low End… and Midnight…
It means then that fans of Tribe may most likely be left wanting more, much more! In another film-maker’s hands, I suspect we would have got this. And listening to the film’s talking-heads from the past and the present – Pos and Dave from De La Soul, Ahmir and Tariq from the Roots, Common, Jungle Brothers, Monie Love, Pharell, Red Alert, Prince Paul, and Large Professor – it’s clear that respect for the Midnight Marauders is deep.
Bookended by bitter exchanges between Q-Tip and Phife Dawg during a comeback tour; with a brief epilogue charting a touching reconciliation 18 months later – in between we get the history of the group. And this is the 95 minute film’s strongest attribute. Because in this well-researched footage, this film work does stand up superbly.
We soon realise the elements of Tribe’s skills – sonic sampling and creating breaks and beats culled from Shaheed and Tip’s eclectic musical passion. Lyrically, Tribe clearly voiced both the sentiments of the time and maintained a focus in the here and now. The group culturally reflects the styles, trends and nuances of that period. Even now with a decade and more elapsed since the release of their final album, this film reveals Tribe’s sharp understanding of the psyche and culture of hip hop through the group’s innovative beats and creative samples, in addition to its precision sharp lyrics. In this film, these qualities all sound right up to date.
Always illuminating, this documentary often offers raw and spellbinding segments that chart the emergence of hip hop culture in the late 1970s and 1980s, and interviews with all four Tribe members shine even more light on this golden age. Kamaal ‘Q-Tip’ Fareed – personifying his Abstract Poetic alter ego – cerebral, erudite, sensitive; Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor, the gritty, energetic 5-foot Assassin and Funky Diabetic; the quietly authoritative Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and the often elusive but vital spirit of Jarobi White.
However, only skirted over was the seminal role played by ATCQ in illuminating a crucial pillar of the scene – the Afrocentric, and socially progressive flavour of the era. Here, Rapaport tells the story of the Native Tongues clique of like minded artists – amongst them De La Soul, Monie Love, Jungle Brothers, and Queen Latifah – who elevated rap from one plateau to another newer and fresher level. But because this is trivialised in a throwaway section – as a penchant for wearing ‘strange clothes’ and kente cloth [read African inspired or Afrocentric] even as reportage it misses the point. Leave it to Tribe to actually articulate that “a black nation without black unity” is the sentiment behind what this documentary interprets as ‘weird’ dress sense.
It seems like a long time ago that rap and hip hop meant something, spoke to us about our lives and existence, about our personal and social and political lives. Hip hop then captured a feeling, a spirit and energy – the affirmative sentiment articulated by Tupac when he said that listening to Marvin Gaye made him feel that: ‘being Black was the thing to be’.
And since ATCQ’s demise we have seen the emergence of commercially-driven, commodified rap and hip hop’s shiny suited rappers – mostly gutted of any meaning, stripped of significance beyond sensationalism and profanity; devoid of much creativity with mostly vulgar minstrelsy prevailing. How much we need Tribe now, how much more we needed to know what they meant then!
Although Rapaport’s Grammy nominated documentary has already been [deservedly] awarded Best Documentary Feature at the LA Film Festival, and received praise from the Producers Guild of America, we should view this as a taster and wait for the main course.
Beats Rhymes and Life: Travels With a Tribe Called Quest [2011] [95 minutes]
Director Michael Rapaport
Cast: Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Jarobi White
Sony Pictures Classics
At Doc House Thursdays
http://www.dochouse.org
Monday 20th February, 6.30pmHackney Picturehouse
Mare St
London E8 1EH
0871 902 5734
Shaun Ajamu Hutchinson is The New Black Magazine’s arts editor and a London-based freelance journalist.
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Michael Rapaport’s passion for hip hop radiates in every frame. Specialist in designing and delivering modern portable office cabins that combine flexibility, functionality, and smart space solutions for businesses. Check out my newest blog post! Portable Office Cabins: A Smart Solution for Modern Workspaces
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business world, flexibility is key. Companies are constantly seeking innovative ways to optimize operations, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. One such innovation that has rapidly gained popularity across industries is the use of portable office cabins. These mobile, customizable, and cost-effective structures offer a versatile alternative to traditional office spaces, making them a go-to choice for businesses of all sizes.
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Portable office cabins are prefabricated structures designed to serve as temporary or semi-permanent office spaces. Unlike conventional buildings, these cabins are manufactured off-site and transported to the desired location, ready for immediate use. They are often made from materials like steel, aluminum, or durable composites, ensuring both strength and mobility.
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He captures the essence of a golden era beautifully. Dedicated to improving infant health through proper nutrition, advocating early dietary education, nurturing growth, and supporting families with evidence-based care. Just dropped a new blog—give it a read! Infants and Nutrition: Building the Foundation for a Healthy Life
The early years of life, especially the first 1,000 days from conception to age two, are critical for a child’s physical and cognitive development. During this time, proper nutrition plays a pivotal role in laying the foundation for long-term health and well-being. Understanding the importance of infants and nutrition helps caregivers, parents, and health professionals provide the best possible start for every child.
Why Nutrition Matters in Infancy
Infancy is a period of rapid growth. A baby’s brain doubles in size in the first year alone, and the body undergoes major developmental milestones. The relationship between infants and nutrition is essential because what an infant consumes directly impacts growth rate, brain development, immune function, and even future disease risk.
Proper nutrition helps prevent malnutrition, supports healthy weight gain, boosts immunity, and fosters cognitive and emotional development. Conversely, poor nutrition can lead to stunted growth, delayed development, and increased vulnerability to infections and chronic diseases later in life.
Breastfeeding: The Gold Standard
Breast milk is widely recognized as the best source of nutrition for infants. It contains the perfect balance of nutrients, antibodies, and enzymes needed during the first six months of life. Experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods up to two years or beyond.
In the context of infants and nutrition, breast milk offers numerous benefits:
Provides essential nutrients like protein, fat, and carbohydrates in easily digestible forms.
Contains antibodies that protect against infections.
Promotes bonding between mother and baby.
Reduces the risk of allergies, asthma, and obesity in later life.
Infant Formula: A Safe Alternative
For mothers who cannot breastfeed or choose not to, infant formula is a safe and regulated alternative. Modern formulas aim to mimic breast milk as closely as possible, offering vital nutrients like iron, DHA, and other essential vitamins and minerals. When choosing formula, it’s important to consult a pediatrician to select the right type based on the baby’s needs.
The discussion of infants and nutrition includes understanding that while breast milk is ideal, formula feeding can also support healthy growth when used properly.
Introducing Solid Foods
Around six months of age, babies begin showing signs of readiness for solid foods. This marks a major milestone in the journey of infants and nutrition. Complementary feeding should start with iron-rich foods such as pureed meats, fortified cereals, or legumes, as iron stores begin to deplete at this stage.
Tips for introducing solids:
Start with single-ingredient foods to monitor allergies.
Offer a variety of textures and flavors over time.
Avoid added salt, sugar, honey (under 1 year), and processed foods.
Maintain breast milk or formula as the primary source of nutrition during the transition.
Essential Nutrients for Infants
A key aspect of infants and nutrition is ensuring that babies receive all the essential nutrients they need for healthy development. These include:
Iron: Critical for brain development and preventing anemia.
Zinc: Supports immune function and growth.
Calcium & Vitamin D: Important for bone development.
Vitamin A: Supports vision and immune health.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA): Essential for brain and eye development.
A well-balanced approach to infant nutrition includes not only the right foods but also proper timing and feeding practices.
Feeding Practices and Habits
Establishing healthy eating habits early can influence food preferences and lifestyle choices later in life. Responsive feeding—where caregivers respond appropriately to hunger and fullness cues—is strongly encouraged. This helps infants learn to regulate their own intake and reduces the risk of overeating or picky eating.
In the broader conversation about infants and nutrition, it’s important to promote:
Regular mealtimes in a calm environment.
Allowing the baby to self-feed when ready (baby-led weaning).
Encouraging exploration and enjoyment of new foods without pressure.
Common Nutrition Challenges
Despite best efforts, caregivers may encounter challenges such as:
Feeding refusal or picky eating.
Food allergies or intolerances.
Gastrointestinal issues like colic or reflux.
These issues are normal and often temporary. Pediatric guidance and patience go a long way in navigating them effectively.
Conclusion
The connection between infants and nutrition is foundational to lifelong health. From breastfeeding to solid foods and everything in between, every feeding decision impacts a child’s future. By prioritizing balanced, timely, and responsive feeding practices, caregivers can give their infants the best start in life—nurturing not just their bodies, but also their brains, habits, and happiness.