In 1985, four high school friends from Queens and Brooklyn found themselves at the heart of the emergence of hip hop. Together they experimented with jazzy soundscapes, afro-centric infusions, sophisticated sampling, socially conscious lyrics and building an eclectic identity. Five years later, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali and Jarobi found themselves in a successful and tumultuous 20-year collaboration that would cultivate sonic innovation for generations of hip hop fans and artists. Director, acclaimed actor and hip hop devotee Michael Rapaport gains intimate access to A Tribe Called Quest and their music, revealing very candid and raw moments within a complicated band dynamic. Featuring interviews with the likes of Monie Love, the Jungle Brothers, De La Soul and the Beastie Boys, Beats, Rhymes & Life delivers the authentic experience for true hip hop fans.