Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest
Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    Jul 14, 2011
    88
    The best material, however, keeps returning to the unstable power dynamic between Q-Tip and Dawg.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    Jul 2, 2011
    83
    Beats is a welcome blast of '90s nostalgia, taking us back to a time - and a sound - that pulsates with optimism.
  3. indieWIRE
    Reviewed by: Eric Kohn
    Jul 7, 2011
    83
    Showing the uneasiness of a first-time documentarian, Rapaport has a difficult time exploring the drama. That has extended beyond the movie itself and into a long-running media dispute with Q-Tip, who has refused to plug the movie.
  4. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Nathan Rabin
    Jul 13, 2011
    100
    Poignant and powerful, complex and melancholy, the film ends with rehearsals for yet another money-grubbing comeback tour.
  5. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Camille Dodero
    Jul 5, 2011
    90
    Despite the passive-aggressive bickering, Beats, Rhymes & Life is not, thankfully, hip-hop's "Some Kind of Monster."

User Reviews

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User Score
8.9 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Vincer
    9
    Unless you don't like A Tribe Called Quest or you're uninterested in Hip Hop and Rap history, you have no reason not to see this. This movie illustrates the timeline of A Tribe Called Quest from highs to lows. It's a fresh documentary that will certainly put a smile on your face. The only problem with this documentary is the lack of explanation. For example, lack of music construction. While, yes, there is Q-Tip explaining how this or that song started with this or that loop, but outside of that, there isn't really much. Which is a shame because A Tribe Called Quest had some of the best loops and whatnot. Nonetheless, this is a documentary for all. Highly recommended if you were into 90's Hip Hop and Rap. 9/10… Full Review »
  2. Sonny_OBicz
    8
    A good watch for someone who doesnâ
  3. j30
    8
    Fantastic documentary that makes you realize how much you miss early 90's Hip Hop acts like De La Soul and how bad Hip Hop has been since TCQ left the game.… Full Review »
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