A Tribe Called Quest's game-changing legacy is slated to hit the big screen in the forthcoming documentary "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest," which has been picked up for Sundance. A trailer for the flick recently hit the Web, and Tribe acolytes have voiced their excitement on the project's Facebook page.However, there is one key detractor whose concerns could potentially derail anticipation for the film and diminish its credibility: Tribe frontman Q-Tip. On Thursday (December 2), the Queens MC blasted the film via his Twitter account.
"I am not in support of the a tribe called quest documentary," he wrote.
The "Electric Relaxation" lyricist explained his gripes stem from creative differences between the hip-hop crew and the team behind the doc. "The filmmaker shld respect the band enough to honor our request regarding the film," Q-Tip wrote. "The filmmaker should respect the band to the point of honoring the few requests that's was made abt the piece."
A spokesperson for Rival Films, the production company behind the project, was not available when MTV News reached out for comment.
Actor Michael Rapaport ("Bamboozled") directed the film, which, according to the flick's website, revolves around the group's reunion for the 2008 Rock the Bells Tour. The impact and influence of the collective is explored by fellow hip-hop luminaries like Native Tongues members Busta Rhymes and De La Soul and rap superstars like Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.
Despite Q-Tip's issues with the film, it appears to have been made not only with the band's cooperation, but all members of the original Tribe lineup — Phife, Ali Shaheed and Jarobi — figure prominently in the project.
The film will premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival in January.