A legend has been lost, and the Hip Hop community is in shambles right now. Last night, Phife Dawg, co-founder of A Tribe Called Quest passed away after a long health battle. Phife Dawg, (born Malik Isaac Taylor) was only 45 years old.
Although an official cause of death has not been released, however, it is likely that his passing was related to his ongoing struggle with diabetes. Taylor, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in May 1990, only one month after A Tribe Called Quest released their first album, was very candid about his battle with the disease. In 2008, he received a kidney transplant to tackle the disease, but ultimately was placed on the list for another transplant last year.
We at Inyaearhiphop would like to send our prayers and condolences to Taylor’s family and friends.
Check out tributes paid to the late rapper via social media below.
#ATribeCalledQuest music bangs forever but as human beings Phife Tip ALI Jar are even better. #RestInBeatsPHIFE pic.twitter.com/SdAhvVt8UR
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 23, 2016
R.I.P. to the late, great Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest from all of us in the PE family. @ATCQ @MrChuckD pic.twitter.com/pRQ2CaLwv6
— PUBLIC ENEMY (@PublicEnemyFTP) March 23, 2016
Phife didawg… #RIP fam love you brother. You left the world with jewels man. My childhood… https://t.co/KRKK7Llw7N
— marlon wayans (@MarlonWayans) March 23, 2016
