Obituaries
Phife Dawg Dead at 45: Hip-Hop Community Reacts
Queens native Phife Dawg and his rap crew, A Tribe Called Quest, "wrote my destiny," Questlove of the Roots said online. "THANK YOU PHIFE!"
![](https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/22859565/2016/03/raw/20160356f2c81da2d45.jpg)
Photo by fuseboxradio
JAMAICA, QUEENS — New York City rap great Malik Taylor, better known as Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest, died Tuesday at the young age of 45 from diabetes-related health complications, according to Rolling Stone.
The dabbler may remember Phife for his high-octane delivery of "Can I Kick It?" on Tribe's first album. (For you, we recommend the quick yet comprehensive Gothamist obit. Or the one in the New York Times.) But the hip-hop head and Tribe disciple is having trouble, Tuesday, grasping the enormity of Phife's work and influence.
Below, they try to collect their thoughts.
.@kendricklamar gets a crowd of 18,000 people to chant Phife's name in tribute.
— FACT (@FACTmag) March 23, 2016
Via @mattandalex pic.twitter.com/lMwf7grutD
Just woke up to the news that my childhood hero and friend Phife from Tribe aka Malik Taylor is gone...I have no idea what to say .. Floored
— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) March 23, 2016
I have so many personal stories to share ... I could do weeks on this subject ... But I want his family to know that I loved him..We all did
— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) March 23, 2016
There's no way to put into words what Phife means .. A Tribe Called Quest is our Zeppelin or Floyd...for many like me - they're the Beatles
— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) March 23, 2016
A photo posted by Talib Kweli (@talibkweli) on Mar 23, 2016 at 6:36am PDT
Phife Dawg rest in power. Thank you for your contribution to hip hop, your impact, your influence. You will be dearly missed my brother.
— Black Thought (@blackthought) 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
R.I.P. Phife Dawg! A Tribe Called Quest 4 Ever!.....
Posted by Naughty By Nature on Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Phife was not only one of the most influential people in hip hop, but he was also one of the nicest & most kindest guys in hip hop. Man. RIP
— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) March 23, 2016
Tribe has always been so special to me, I cherished those records because they didn't beat me up for being a girl.
— jamilah lemieux (@JamilahLemieux) March 23, 2016
A photo posted by Bun B (@trillog) on Mar 23, 2016 at 7:07am PDT
So fucked up to keep hearing sad news about our comrades in our culture...
— DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) March 23, 2016
R.I.P. PHIFE DAWG... #ATCQ LOVE TO TIP, ALI AND JAROBI...
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 was a Giant. Rest in Paradise dog. I'm happy I got to meet and give you my praises for raising us. Thank you.
— CHUCK INGLISH 20/3 (@Chuckisdope) March 23, 2016
Yeah. I got nothing right now abt this. I'm going to blast Marauders. Live on eternally in energy, Phife.
— Jean Grae (@JeanGreasy) March 23, 2016
Dammit. Dammit. I'll talk later.
A photo posted by Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) on Mar 23, 2016 at 6:43am PDT
To our teacher ,our friend , our brother ... Thank you Phife
— the pharcyde (@thepharcyde) March 23, 2016
Phife. Thanks for doin it for short guys from queens.
— Despot (@despotroast) March 23, 2016
love, peace, and Phife pic.twitter.com/mgi4GwzeCd
— Pistol Gang Pazzy (@vinnie_paz) March 23, 2016
Man. Man o man. Rest in Peace King. #Phife #ATCQ #NativeTongues
A photo posted by 9th Wonder (@9thwonder) on Mar 22, 2016 at 11:19pm PDT
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