In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, actor/director Michael Rapaport spoke on his upcoming A Tribe Called Quest documentary, the transition from directing to acting, the evolution of Hip Hop, and more.
Upon its release in July, Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest will serve as Rapaport’s first project as director. Prior to directing Beats, Rhymes & Life the New York City born actor was featured in a number of television shows and movies including The Scout, Cop Land, and My Name Is Earl.
“It’s two totally different things. I’ve had a lot of experience on sets and working on narratives films is different than documentaries, but being on set and shooting the documentary was comfortable and easy. Editing was the hard part,” Rapaport explained to the Wall Street Journal when asked about the transition from acting to directing. “I had to come to terms with the fact that I was making all the decisions. At the end of the day, even the good people around you are going to go, ‘yo, what do you want to do?’ It’s all on you. Coming to terms with that was the biggest transition.”
Known as quite the Hip Hop head, his son is rumored to be named after Maseo of De La Soul, Rapaport also gave his thoughts on Hip Hop in the 90’s and today’s Hip Hop.
“Hip-hop then was defining itself,” said Rapaport. “The golden era of hip-hop is so much a part of pop culture today. I don’t want to sound like it’s not the same today, but it isn’t the same. Hip-hip was developing organically then without any sort of hype. When something is that new or fresh – it’s innocent.”
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest will premiere in New York City and Los Angeles on July 8, 2011.
[May 4]
UPDATE: Check out the trailer for the upcoming documentary.
I like a lot of dude’s flicks, from his schematic appearance in Bridget Fonda’s Point of No Return to more substantial roles in Copland, True Romance and Higher Learning. There are very few hip-hop documentaries, but my favourite is the turntableist film Scratch. If the movie’s in this mould,it should be a success. What I don’t wanna see is a didactic, polemic tellin’ of Tribe’s story like the Biggie & Tupac movie.
that biggie vs tupac movie was made by nick bloomberg, who is essentially the british Michael Moore. That documentary was a sack of shit. It did the same thing with Kurt & Courtney. Sack of shit.
I like a lot of dude’s flicks from his schematic appearance in Bridget Fonda’s Point of No Return to more substantial roles in Copland, True Romance and Higher Learning. There aren’t many hip-hop documentaries, but my favourite is turntable-ism flick Scratch. If the ATQC movie’s in this mould, it should be a success. What I don’t wanna see is a didactic, polemic tellin’ of Tribe’s story like the Biggie & Tupac flick.
How could leave out that he was higher learning and bamboozled wtf
Don’t forget Zebrahead
im feeling the trailer and Im there when it comes out. real hip hop in a film……FINALLY!
and no I dont count belly, juice, boyz n the hood or any of them movies as a real hip hop movie. This is a movie about our music and our culture. I hope nigga get out there and support this.
I respect neptunes music, but i dont see the tribe influence in their music. Tribe was sampled based withe good loww end sounding drums. Neptunes are hollow drums and spacy synths
Who the h@ll do Rick Ross think he is having his name on Hall of famer Bill Russell’s fore head? That artificial Ross is wrong for that so you all got to remove that from that man fore head or I’m going to stop supporting this site real talk.
You know what, I was thinking the EXACT same thing. Who this clown think he is. He hasnt made it, as far as i’m concerned. This cats so fabricated and got these kids open like he’s the best. But you can’t fool me. Then I saw that record cover and almost choked. Rus should take all 11 of them rings and punch him in his face. Corny a@s ish!!!
isnt that director dude in a whole lot of shitty sitcoms?
i love seeing movies like this come out. these legendary hip hop groups deserve movies. the movies work to heighten their legacy and can educate younger fans that weren’t around back then. i can only hope wu tang gets a huge movie some day, i know gza was working on one. michael rap gets huge props from me, tribe notorious for being hard to work with, and he got it done.
(now getting back to the Tribe topic) LOL!!
To sum of yall it might be “so what”. But to me, it braggin rights. I remember I was the first to break Tribe around my way. The other kids was like, I Left My Wallet in El Segundo?!?! WTF?!?! What they saw a corny and maybe even wack for the time. I saw as fresh. Groundbreaking new and innovating. And I KNEW, that this sound was bound to be classic and last forever. Even thou the group didnt 🙁
UMMMMMMMMMMMMM… FUCK YEAH IM GONNA SEE THIS!
YES!
Spike Lee shoulda directed this imo. I dig M. Rappaport, but Spike has history wit Tribe…..”He Got Game” soundtrack was supposed to be Tribes’ but didnt work out. “Scenerio” dir. by Spike. “Crooklyn” Spike Lee movie title song prod. by Tribe……makes sense.
If Spike wanted to do it, he should have! Can’t wait on another brotha to do what needs to be done.
Ever since I saw Michael Rapaport in “Do The Right Thing’, I could tell he had hip hop running in his veins. You can always tell he brings that element into most of his roles in whatever movie he’s in. For him to take on the responsibility of directing such a movie/documentary on one of the most influencial and iconic hip hop group ever, speaks a lot about his trus love for the artform. I salute him and will definitely support this flick.
I agree! Bout time tribe gets sum spotlight in the contemporory world of hip hop.I agree on the spike lee thing too.Not that Im knockin Rappaport but ya kno.Its funny. I see Rappaport and I think of remy from higher learning.
Cannot wait for this movie!
CANT WAIT!
‎#TeamRealHipHop
#TeamRealNiggas
Check This Out If you Haven’t ! !
Song For My Mother !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzT8HvzBvgw
I’m seeing this for sure when they show it in D.C., hopefully this inspires them to make more music but I feel like they’re waiting for the response from this documentary to see if they still have the fan base to actually go through with another album.