The music industry has lost a rhythmical genius. A Tribe Called Quest member, Malik Taylor, better known as Phife Dawg, has died.Â
Rolling Stone and BBC News have reported his death, and many people in the hip hop industry and fans have taken to social media to honor him, though no official statement has been released.
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
The cause of his death has not been announced, but Phife had health issues for several years. He had a kidney transplant in 2008 and battled with diabetes.Â
A Tribe Called Quest was formed in 1985 and included Q-Tip, Phife Dawg and Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White, who left the group in 1991.
Read here for more about Phife Dawg and his music career.
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Man, #RIPPhife. The world has lost a crucial influencer and a hip hop legend. pic.twitter.com/jnmsk5GS7g
— Dine Alone Records (@dinealonemusic) March 23, 2016
Today we lost one of the most influential artists and one of our own. #Queens #Mets #PhifeDawg #RIPPhife pic.twitter.com/20Y6qYfEng
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 23, 2016
A friend to all of us at @SiriusXMNBA #RIPPhife
— Jonathan Hood (@tweetjhood) March 23, 2016