When the news of Phife Dawg’s death broke, many rappers took to social media to share their thoughts on the legacy of the A Tribe Called Quest rapper. He died Tuesday (March 22) of complications from diabetes.
Busta Rhymes joins the legion of those paying tribute to the Five Foot Assassin with an Instagram post. The New York rapper says he needed a few days to process the fact that he lost a friend and mentor.
“I had to spend the last 2 days going thru a lot of honest thoughts and emotions b 4 I spoke because this one hurts soooo fucking much,” he writes for the caption of a picture of him performing with the group. “I can’t begin to explain what @iamthephifer and @qtiptheabstract and @jarobiwhiteand @alishaheed means to me and how much they have done for my life. These guys are my big brothers, my friends, and the dudes that always protected me frm the bullshit that came with life both personally and professionally in a way that only big brothers can do it.”
Busta Rhymes then takes a moment to reflect on the impact that A Tribe Called Quest had on his career, starting with his work as a member of Leaders of the New School. He says the photo is from December’s “Hot For The Holidays” show in Newark, New Jersey of Leaders of the New School and A Tribe Called Quest performing “Scenario” together. Busta explains how Phife Dawg was an emotional support for him as he processed everything he had accomplished.
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“If u look at this picture closely, on the night of one of my my most magical moments in my 25 year journey in music DEC.5th 2015,” he says, “I was able to have a dream come true in a way that it never had and that was to perform What’s the scenario (original and the rmx) for the 1st time ever back to back with all of the original members of Leaders of the New School and A Tribe Called Quest since we recorded these songs in 1991 & 1992. That night was so magical with all of the love that was under one roof that it’s too much to get into the details of but again please take another look at this picture, if u notice @iamthephifer had his hand on my back consoling me as I kneeled down to give thanks crying tears of joy because of how proud of a moment that was for me being able to end a 4 hour set with brothers who put me in a position where I was able to tell my mother she will not have to work for anyone over 20 yrs ago. The belief that they had in me puttin’ me and Leaders on that record, putting me last on the record because back then being last on the record meant EVERYTHING, I had no idea at that time what they were setting me up in life to be but thru out the years it was so consistent their love and concern for my well being that it was no way I couldn’t see it.”
Despite his grief at losing his friend, Busta has a sense of peace about his relationship with Phife and says that he was happy at the time of his passing.
“Ever since that concert I have had the opportunity to spend time with Phife way more than I have been able to in over 10yrs,” he says. “I’ve known this man for over 28yrs and I think I’ve seen him in the last 4 months the happiest that I’ve seen him in a very long time. It was apparent that every wish that he had was coming true and I can honestly say that I was witnessing the anointing frm a bird’s eye view 1st hand. Until we meet again King, RIP”
View Leaders of the New School performing “Scenario (Remix)” with A Tribe Called Quest and Busta Rhymes’ tribute to Phife Dawg below:
For additional Phife Dawg coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
