Q-Tip Skips A Tribe Called Quest Doc Premiere at Sundance

After publicly renouncing director Michael Rapaport’s documentary on his group, Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, it is no surprise that Q-Tip decided not to take the flight for the movie’s premiere at Sundance last night (January 22).

“Thanks to our fans for their support through the years and for the enthusiasm around the documentary,” Tip, Jarobi and Ali Shaheed Muhammad wrote in a group statement. “We hope that the film’s perspective conveys our love of hip-hop culture. We could not attend Sundance, but we want to express our love and appreciation for the support that we have received in advance of the film’s premiere. We hope that it is well received. Thank you.”

As previously reported, Q-Tip took to his Twitter account last month to reveal his problems with the actor turned director. “I am not in support of the [A] [T]ribe [C]alled [Q]uest documentary,” he wrote on December 2, 2010. “The filmmaker should respect the band to the point of honoring the few requests that was made ab[ou]t the piece.”

Last week, Rapaport explained to MTV News why he believes Tip took issue with his project. “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, I can’t really speak for him, but I think he got a little nervous,” Rapaport said. “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.”

The Abstract Poetic responded to MR’s comments on Friday. “[T]he director of the film cannot speak to what is in my head ab[ou]t the documentary,” he wrote on Twitter. “[N]or can this director EVER say the [I] don’t speak for the group. [W]hen [I] say [I] do then belive me [I] do. [T]ribe is no different than any other collective. [W]e experience bumps bruises and disagreements then and we still do. But knowing our history and our messages in our music we will NEVER be taken advantage of like we were in the past. [W]e don’t care who it is. [B]ut we are truly thankful for your interest in our music and your interest in this flattering look at our career. if @alishaheed @jarobione or @diggymusberger says they speak for the group then THEY do. No one else!”

As of press time, it is not known when Beast, Rhymes & Life will be available for public viewing. —Elan Mancini