A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dawg Has Passed Away

Photo by Mikael Väisänen

Rolling Stone reports that Malik Taylor, best known as Phife Dawg of Tribe Called Quest, has passed away at 45. Taylor was vocal about his struggle with Type 1 diabetes, and his family has confirmed that he passed due to “complications resulting from diabetes.”

It’s a sad day for hip-hop; Phife Dawg was the secret weapon of a seminal rap group that inspired generations. Phife’s bandmate Q-Tip has yet to make a statement.

R.I.P. Phife. The NYC Mayor’s Office paid their respects on Twitter:

A Tribe Called Quest blessed our city with beats, rhymes, and life. Saying goodbye to a true Queens legend, #RIPPhifeDawg. #CheckTheRhime

— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) March 23, 2016