Showbiz411

Showbiz411′s Chris Barrett talks with Michael Rapaport about his new documentary ‘Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest’
June 29, 2011
Philadelphia, PA

I sat down and spoke to Beats Rhymes & Life documentary filmmaker Michael Rapaport and I asked him what it was like being white and directing a documentary film about A Tribe Called Quest, one of the most influential urban hip hop groups.  Rapaport told me about his understanding of race and hip hop, “As far as being white, that never crossed my mind… Documentary filmmakers are journalists and storytellers come in all shapes and sizes…  Michelle Obama, you know, is dancing doing the Dougie with little kids and no on bats an eye,  because it would be if President Nixon’s wife did the Twist. It’s pop culture.  The Dougie is popular culture.  You know the Twist was popular culture then.  Hip Hop is part of main stream and there are pro’s and con’s to that. The music’s integrity needs to stay in tact.  But culture-wise it’s good. It’s good that little white kids see black kids and it’s good black kids see white kids liking them and understanding them and appreciating them.  It’s good that everybody is together. Hip Hop has definitely brought people together.”

For more information visit: http://www.sonyclassics.com/beatsrhymesandlife/