Since the passing of Malik I. Taylor, more famously known as Phife Dawg—and affectionately nicknamed “The 5-foot Assassin”—many, including prominent members of the hip-hop community, have responded with an outpour of condolences and support for the late MC.
Family Of A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dawg Releases Statement on His Passing
Phife’s fellow members of A Tribe Called Quest, Jonathan Davis (Q-Tip) and Ali Shaheed Muhamed, released a statement honoring their departed brother, recalling his joy and strength.
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“Our hearts are heavy. We are devastated. This is something we weren’t prepared for although we all know that life is fleeting. It was no secret about his health and his fight. But the fight for his joy and happiness gave him everything he needed. The fight to keep his family happy, his soul happy and those around him happy, gave him complete and unadulterated joy… until he heeded his father’s call.
We love his family his mother, his father, his son, his wife, his nieces, his family here in New York, Atlanta, California and Trinidad.”
A Tribe Called Quest thanks everyone for their love, support and prayers during this time of grief and speak on the impact Phife has made on his music, his fans and his team.
“Thank you for the outpouring of prayers and support from the fans, fellow artists, music outlets, blogs, radio stations, DJ’s, social media and the music community at large. This too is part of his joy and means a lot to him. His family is overwhelmed by the support, well wishes and are thankful. His music and what he’s contributed is seismic and hard to measure. He’s affected us as much as he’s affected all of you. We’re inspired by his daily joy and courage. He wasn’t in pain. He was happy. We take comfort in knowing he will be beside his grandmother.”
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The heartwarming statement was released Wednesday.