Phife Dawg, founding member of A Tribe Called Quest passed away yesterday (March 22), according to several posts on social media. He was 45.
DJ Chuck Chillout sent one of the first tweets about the passing of the A Tribe Called Quest rapper.
“Confirmed. rest in peace Phife. Man. I’m out,” Statik Selektah wrote on Twitter.
Although a cause of death has yet to be reported, Phife suffered from diabetes and had a kidney removed in 2008.
“Man. Man o man. Rest in Peace King. #Phife#ATCQ#NativeTongues,” 9th Wonder wrote on Instagram.
A Tribe Called Quest released its debut album, People’s Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm, in 1990. Although Q-TIp was featured as the lead rapper on the project, Phife (born Malik Taylor in Queens, New York) appeared on the hit single “Can I Kick It?” and the album-opening “Push It Along.”
Phife took a more prominent role on the group’s second album, the widely heralded The Low End Theory. Released in 1991, the project featured the singles “Check The Rhime,” “Jazz (We’ve Got)” and “Scenario.”
The group released its fifth and final album, The Love Movement, in 1998.
Two years later, Phife released his solo album, Ventilation: Da LP.
In 2011, the Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest documentary on the group was released. It detailed Phife’s medical problems as well as the friction between Phife and Q-Tip that led to the dissolution of the group.
Following are reactions to Phife’s passing.
RIP to phife dog of tribe called quest pic.twitter.com/f4t5fvg4WD
— DJ Chuck Chillout (@djchuckchillout) March 23, 2016
Confirmed. rest in peace Phife. Man. I'm out.
— Statik Selektah (@StatikSelekt) March 23, 2016
One of the most influential rappers on me and hip hop period! Rest In Peace Phife Dawg and thank you for the legacy you leave behind.
— Bobby Tarantino アキラ (@Logic301) March 23, 2016
REST IN PEACE TO THE INCREDIBLE PHIFE DAWG
— el-p (@therealelp) March 23, 2016
RIP PHIFE. DRINKING A DR PEPPER FOR U RIGHT NOW. pic.twitter.com/ClSNcuLR9P
— Mac (@MacMiller) March 23, 2016
the real ones know. RIP. pic.twitter.com/ojYD7bMnMC
— Mac (@MacMiller) March 23, 2016
Phife-HipHop & Rap word Warrior, simple as that.Breathed it & lined rhyme into Sport.A true fire Social Narrator my bro #RIBeats ATCQforever
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 23, 2016
Rest in peace to my friend Phife. #allmyheroesaredead ??
— FredWreck (@Fredwreck) March 23, 2016
And now Phife Dawg?? Fuck!!!
— Andy PinDröP (@AndersonPaak) March 23, 2016
RIP PHIFE DAWG!!!
— Grand Daddy I.U. (@GrandDaddyIU) March 23, 2016
I'm Not Gonna Be Able To Get A Good Nite Sleep. REST IN PEACE TO PHIFE DAWG FROM A TRIBE CALLED… https://t.co/mSBzj4kOBu
— MISTER CEE (@djmistercee) March 23, 2016
?
Refuse to believe this.— Just Blaze (@JustBlaze) March 23, 2016
http://twitter.com/9thwonder/status/712529110808010753
http://twitter.com/rapsody/status/712522915892355072
This is some deeply disturbing news. Salute to a legendary artist #phife#phifedawg#atcq that helped shape music and hip hop culture.
— DJ Revolution (@DJRevolution) March 23, 2016
Rip PHIFE DAWG A Tribe Called Quest inspired us all ! We will never forget!
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) March 23, 2016
R. I. P. ????? my. Dawg. Linden to linden warren g used to bang that before we had a deal ✊???✨?? pic.twitter.com/SUwbl9yhyS
— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) March 23, 2016
Rest in peace Phife ??
— Young Guru (@Young_Guru) March 23, 2016
I had the great privilege of being label mates with PHIFE during my JIVE Records days. It is an honor to have known him/RIP to a HIPHOP KING
— R.A. the Rugged Man (@RAtheRuggedMan) March 23, 2016
May Phife dawg rest in peace and blessings to his family..
— ghost (@therealstylesp) March 23, 2016
So fucked up to keep hearing sad news about our comrades in our culture…
R.I.P. PHIFE DAWG… #ATCQ LOVE TO TIP, ALI AND JAROBI…— DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) March 23, 2016
Rest in Peace Phife. #Tribe
— Joe Budden (@JoeBudden) March 23, 2016
http://twitter.com/joeyBADASS/status/712608803376799744
#Rip#Phifepic.twitter.com/gi975TTaTC
— Big Boi (@BigBoi) March 23, 2016
?? #PhifeDawg rest in paradise
— Yung Rénzél (@rickyrozay) March 23, 2016
Rest in peace legend… #PhifeDawg#ATCQ
— King Push (@PUSHA_T) March 23, 2016
"…ALL THE TIME TIP "@QtipTheAbstract
Love u.
— ErykahBadoula (@fatbellybella) March 23, 2016
Rest in Peace Phife Dawg
— Sean Don (@BigSean) March 23, 2016
HipHopDX would like to send it condolences to Phife’s family and friends.
