Rapper Phife Dawg Passes Away From Diabetes

Tonight family, friends, and fans mourn the loss of Malik Taylor “Phife Dawg,” member of the legendary group A Tribe Called Quest. Malik passed at age 45, due to complications from his long term illness Diabetes. For those of you who don't know A Tribe, is a 90s hip hop group which consisted of originally four members, Phife, Q-Tip, Ali, and Jarobi, until after the release of People’s Instinctive in 1990. Phife’s wordplay would rap you up, down, in and out a beat. His delivery on every song always stood out, with his unique voice. 

 Ali Shaeed, the groups Dj, combined Phife’s and Q-Tips sounds, making them one note, which flowed together. As a person who's been surrounded by and obsessed with hip hop her whole life, rappers like A Tribe has influenced a lot of my own sound. His creative lyrics are what set Malik apart from the standard political rap. A Tribe Called Quest was about the music, the lyrics, and the fun, excelling during a time period where gangsta rap was on the rise. Audiences should know their most famous hit songs "Bonita Applebum" and "Electric Relaxation," but I simply love the entire Midnight Marauders album. This is still the group’s fastest selling album to date. However this is unexpected tragedy could be a way for Malik to be at peace. Rest easy Phife you've definitely earned your place in music history, and cannot be replaced.