Actor Michael Rapaport has finally addressed the controversy regarding his highly anticipated A Tribe Called Quest documentary 'Beats, Rhymes and Life.' gimme....

The film, an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival later this month, chronicles the "rise and influence of one of the most innovative and influentional hip-hop bands of all time." Shortly after the Sundance announcement however, Tribe founder and the doc's producer Q-Tip tweeted his displeasure about the film's release.

"I am not in support of the a tribe called quest documentary [sic]," he wrote. "The filmmaker should respect the band to the point of honoring the few requests that's was made abt the piece."

Rapaport, who has appeared in hip-hop cult classics like 'Zebrahead' and 'Higher Learning,' attributed Tip's concerns as a case of nerves.

"I think the reason he did his little Twitter thing was because when he realized that the movie was coming to completion and going to get seen by people," Rapaport told MTV. "I can't really speak for him but I think he got a little nervous. He's a very protective of the legacy of A Tribe Called Quest and the movie is a very honest depiction of my time with them and the information that I was given in interviews and content."

He also went on to state that he's a huge Tribe fan, and would never do anything to tarnish the group's legacy.

"I adore ATCQ and my intention wasn't to ever make them feel uncomfortable but my intention was never to make a fluff piece so we kind of hit a bump in the road," Rapaport said. "And we promoted [the film together]. Q-Tip and me were on the radio talking about 'This is going to be the real story of A Tribe Called Quest.' When I say 'the real story' that doesn't mean that there's going to be crazy s--t. I didn't unveil any secrets. From what I've learned Q-Tip and Phife have known each other their whole lives and they are like a family. And like any family, like any group -- the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, EPMD, Public Enemy -- they've had bumps in the road. I just think that because A Tribe Called Quest is so precious to fans, they were concerned about unveiling some of those things."

The actor-turned-filmmaker concluded by saying that he's hopeful that Q-Tip will ultimately support the film's release.

"He'll be supporting the movie. As he said in his Sirius radio interview, he's a producer on the film," he said. "I would assume a producer on the film to be supporting the movie."

http://www.theboombox.com...cumentary/

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[Edited 1/16/11 10:06am]

"an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival later this month"

okay I was wondering when this was being released.

I look forward to seeing this

Caramelpfe said:

I look forward to seeing this

Shit, me too. February is going to be a busy month for music films.

I don't see anywhere in the article where Q Tip is quoted as saying he will support the film now. What did I miss?

Cinnie said:

"an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival later this month"

okay I was wondering when this was being released.

You going to Sundance?

sosgemini said:

Cinnie said:

"an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival later this month"

okay I was wondering when this was being released.

You going to Sundance?

Nah I just wasn't sure when they planned on ever showing it. Been hearing about it since filming.