The Hip-Hop community is in mourning this morning, following the loss of one its most potent pioneers Phife Dawg – from A Tribe Called Quest.
Details below…
Information surrounding the specifics of his passing are still incoming, however the rapper (who was only 45) had been struggling with diabetes and overall ill-health for a number of years, and in 2008 received a kidney transplant from his wife.
Together with group members Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife is celebrated as a trailblazer for the early Hip-Hop movement. Indeed, A Tribe Called Quest are hailed as one of the fathers of modern rap – thanks to releases such as 1991 sophomore classic ‘Low End Theory.’
Over the years, Phife would go on to spar with bandmate Q-Tip, however the pair mended fences and the entire group re-formed last November to perform on The Tonight Show to mark the re-release of their debut album.
Plans for a 2016 solo LP were in motion, yet it appears this sadly won’t come to fruition.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Phife’s family and friends.
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RIP 🙏🏻🙌🏻
Midnight Marauders and low end theory are iconic. RIP Legend
RIP Phife! ATCQ is one of my favorite groups ever. Watch their documentary Beats, Rhymes, and Life. It’s a great documentary about the group’s history. He and Q-Tip were legendary on the mic together. Their music is timeless!
Damn I was just listening to their Beats Rhymes and Life album last night smh. 45 is so young. RIP Malik.
A Tribe Called Quest are one of my favourite rap groups, I’m genuinely at a loss for words. Rest in Peace Phife x
He will be misses by his family and friends,love one. He too young to pass away today rip