Phife Dawg, a member of A Tribe Called Quest, recently just passed on March 22. At just 45, his early death was due to longtime health issues; a kidney transplant in 2008 along with battling type 1 diabetes since 1990. His death, I believe, has not only shaken me (I will admit that I allowed myself a 3 day mourning period which involved me crying in the shower) but the rest the hip-hop community who genuinely loved Phife’s flow and lyrical wit.
Malik Taylor (Phife Dawg) and Q-Tip have known each other since the age of 2 and will continue to be best friends and eventually groupmates in A Tribe Called Quest. "I like the fact that we bounce off of each other like yin and yang, nice and smooth, you know?" Phife told Rolling Stone last year. Q-Tip and Phife had a brotherhood and a bond that will be irreplaceable. Phife had some serious plans, prior to his death, for this year. He wanted to release an album titled Give Thanks and an EP called Muttymorphosis which would have essentially acted like an explanation of his life story. One of the tracks were released, Nutshell, but the album unfortunately now cannot be completed.
At just 19, Phife made was forced to make the decision to either go all in or stay all out. Either he risked his livelihood at home for the hip-hop game, or he would continue to live at home and continue life in Jamaica Queens, NY just like he always had. I’m glad he risked it all and enlightened the world with not only his lyrics, but his talent. The talent that Phife, Q-Tip, Jarobi White and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of Tribe have/had is something you no longer see anymore in the modern hip-hop game (or it is very rare).
Nowadays, everything is about F**king B**ches and getting money. Phife’s perception on life, smooth flow, and dedication to music are what make his shoes so difficult to fill. The remaining members of Tribe are devastated by his unexpected passing and his mother, wife, and family’s hearts are shattered (mine is too but this isn’t about me). Is anyone ever prepared for the death of a loved one? No. Does everyone always have a legacy or a story to tell, even after they’re gone? No.
This is what makes Phife different from everyone else; he literally made something of himself from nothing. He spoke the truth, he was respected, and most importantly he had a flow that not too many people are capable of achieving.
The “5 Foot Assassin”, Phife, inspired many by his daily positivity and courage throughout his life no matter what obstacles were thrown his way. His fellow Tribe members were also inspired by his daily optimism. Phife is someone I look up to especially when I face certain adversity.
I want my kids and my children’s kids to know about Tribe and understand what their lyrics really mean. He was proactive; not reactive. Phife did what he needed to do and he did it successfully. He took what he had and made it work into something that will, in my mind, be the musical precedent for hip-hop for the rest of time. His legacy will live on forever, long live Phife Dawg
