We’re sad to report that another Hip-Hop pioneer and legend has passed away too soon. It’s been reported shortly after 1 A.M. on March 23rd — first from DJ Chuck Chillout and unfortunately confirmed — that the legendary Phife Dawg of the pioneer Hip-Hop group A Tribe Called Quest has passed away at the young age of 45.
Malik Taylor, also known as the Five Foot Assassin, has had battles with his health for numerous years, dating back to being diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes in 1990. Phife was gearing up to make another return with new music in 2016. A Tribe Called Quest is at the top of Hip-Hop’s hierarchy and it’s hard to conjure up words to express the deeply sadden and hurt that we’ll all feel from Phife’s passing.
REST IN POWER, PHIFE DAWG!!
UPDATE: ATCQ & Phife Dawg’s family have both released statements concerning his passing.
Phife’s Family:
We regret to share the news that on Tuesday March 22nd, 2016, Malik has passed away due to complications resulting from diabetes.
Malik was our loving husband, father, brother and friend. We love him dearly. How he impacted all our lives will never be forgotten. His love for music and sports was only surpassed by his love of God and family.”
Dion Liverpool, his manager adds, “While I mourn the loss of my best friend and brother, I also will celebrate his incredible life and contribution to many people’s ears across the world. Even with all his success, I have never met a person as humble as he. He taught me that maintaining a positive attitude and outlook can conquer anything. Now my brother is resting in greatness. I’m honored to have crossed paths with him. Riddim Kidz 4eva.”
The family asks that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.
ATCQ:
Our hearts are heavy. We are devastated. This is something we weren’t prepared for although we all know that life is fleeting. It was no secret about his health and his fight. But the fight for his joy and happiness gave him everything he needed. The fight to keep his family happy, his soul happy and those around him happy, gave him complete and unadulterated joy… until he heeded his fathers call.
We love his family his mother, his father, his son, his wife, his nieces, his family here in New York, Atlanta, California and Trinidad.
Thank you for the outpouring of prayers and support from the fans, fellow artists, music outlets, blogs, radio stations, DJ’s, social media and the music community at large. This too is part of his joy and means a lot to him. His family is overwhelmed by the support, well wishes and are thankful. His music and what he’s contributed is seismic and hard to measure. He’s affected us as much as he’s affected all of you. We’re inspired by his daily joy and courage. He wasn’t in pain. He was happy.
We take comfort in knowing he will be beside his grandmother.
