This morning , I awoke to tragic news. A Tribe Called Quest member, Phife Dawg, passed away today. He was 45.
We’ve been aware of his health issues since he dropped one of his most known lines, “When’s the last time you heard a funky diabetic?”
Making his fans aware of his illness, many reached out to him-according to Phife in the ‘Beats, Rhymes & Life,’ documentary. In 2008, ATCQ had a reunion tour to raise funds for Phife to get a kidney transplant to deal with his illness. There hasn’t been an official statement released on his passing.
I’m personally devastated.
ATCQ is a key part of my development as a young, conscious black women. At almost 25 years old, their music still speaks levels to fans all over the world. Without Phife, Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed and Jarobi-hip hop wouldn’t be what it is today. Their socially conscious lyrics matched with the coldest boom bap beats set them apart from many other artists in the ’90’s. They truly represent the golden age of hip hop.
Phife will continue to be a great inspiration to the hip hop community and his legacy will continue to live on. He will be truly missed.
Like Q-Tip said on, “The Chase, pt II,” “This is for eternity.”
Listen to one of my favorite tracks by Phife, “Butter.”
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