Another loss for the music industry.
On Tuesday, it was reported that rapper Phife Dawg had tragically passed away. He was 45 years old.
The Can I Kick It artist was best known for being a member of the iconic rap group A Tribe Called Quest. Unfortunately, it’s been said that the industry vet had struggled with his health for years as he suffered from type 1 diabetes.
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In fact, Phife (whose real name was Malik Isaac Taylor) even had a kidney transplant back in 2008. So sad!
Alongside Q-Tip and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife was a MAJOR pioneer for hip hop. The ATCQ member’s presence in the music scene will greatly will be missed.
Not surprisingly, many in Hollywood have taken to Instagram and Twitter to mourn the late rapper’s passing — including Questlove, Elijah Wood, Estelle, and many more.
Check out their reactions (below).
A pioneer of hip hop has left us. Rest in peace, Phife— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) March 23, 2016
Phife was not only one of the most influential people in hip hop, but he was also one of the nicest & most kindest guys in hip hop. Man. RIP
— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) March 23, 2016
“Trini gladiator /anti hesitator /Shaheed push the fader / from here to Grenada” ├░┼╕╦£┬Ñ├░┼╕╦£┬Ñ├░┼╕╦£┬Ñ├░┼╕╦£┬Ñ #RIPPhife …
— Estelle (@EstelleDarlings) March 23, 2016
Phife didawg… #RIP fam love you brother. You left the world with jewels man. My childhood├óΓé¼┬ª https://t.co/KRKK7Llw7N
— marlon wayans (@MarlonWayans) March 23, 2016
Phife-HipHop & Rap word Warrior, simple as that.Breathed it & lined rhyme into Sport.A true fire Social Narrator my bro #RIBeats ATCQforever
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 23, 2016
Hip-hop is living, can’t yank the plug
if you do the result, will end up kind of bugged
Phife Dawg
— Rob da Bank (@RobdaBank) March 23, 2016
Nooooooooo RIP Phife. I heard they just got a deal and was coming back. Yo that’s soooo weak man!!!! They was posed to be on our album
— PRICE (@BOWprice) March 23, 2016
Hearing Phife’s voice will forever remind me of my favourite time in rap music #RIPPHIFE
— Foreign Beggars (@ForeignBeggars) March 23, 2016
Our thoughts are with Phife’s loved ones during this trying time.
[Image via Juddy Eddy/WENN.]