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Questlove, Kerry Washington and More Pay Tribute to A Tribe Called Quest Founder Phife Dawg
Read their messages
It's a sad day for hip-hop fans as Rolling Stone confirms that A Tribe Called Quest founder Phife Dawg, real name Malik Taylor, passed away on Tuesday. The 45-year old founded the legendary rap group with Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammed in 1985. Together the group put forth iconic tracks including "Can I Kick It" and "Scenario."
Remember other celebrities who have passed in 2016
Taylor's official cause of death has not been announced, but the MC has had several health issues over the years, including a kidney transplant in 2008 due to a long battle with Type 1 diabetes. Celebrities and musicians alike, including Questlove and Kerry Washington, posted an outpour of support for Phife Dawg and his family at this sad time, citing his influence on modern hip-hop and their own careers.
Read what they had to say below:
Huge loss today. A legend. A NY hip-hop originator. #RIPPhifeDawg Sending love to his close friends and fam. Today we are all in the Tribe.
I like brown ,yellow Puerto Rican or Haitian name is phife dog from the Zulu nation. Rip Phife pic.twitter.com/rSy8pSKnxC
RIP Phife. He was a key ingredient to one of the greatest groups ever. Influenced and touched so many lives, mine included..Tribe all day
A pioneer of hip hop has left us. Rest in peace, Phife
Phife-HipHop & Rap word Warrior, simple as that.Breathed it & lined rhyme into Sport.A true fire Social Narrator my bro #RIBeats ATCQforever
Damn. #RIPPhife one of the greatest to bless the mic
Rest In Power! #PhifeDawg #MalikThe5footFreak #HipHopGreat #Legend https://t.co/UQ7qMwambv
Phife didawg... #RIP fam love you brother. You left the world with jewels man. My childhood... https://t.co/KRKK7Llw7N