In honor of the 5’3″ phenom lost to the hip hop community, A Tribe Called Quest classic is an easy pick for this Song of the Day. Malik Taylor a.k.a. Phife Dawg passed away yesterday at the age of 45 due to complications from diabetes.
Known for their funky production and clever verses, A Tribe Called Quest has been making waves in the world of hip hop for over three decades. 2016 will be remembered as a bittersweet year for the group, as Phife Dawg’s key partner in rhyme, Q-Tip, was recently named the JFK Center for Performing Arts’ first-ever Artistic Director for hip hop.
Not only does the 1991 hit “Check the Rhime” showcase both Phife and Q-Tip’s lyrical prowess, but the track features one of Phife Dawg’s most iconic opening lines: “Now here’s a funky introduction of how nice I am / Tell your mother, tell your father, send a telegram.” Phife’s passing is certainly a tragedy for the music world, hip hop and otherwise. Yet this legendary rapper is immortalized in Tribe’s music, and his legacy will surely live on for generations to come.
