Apr 04, 2016
Phife Dawg (aka Malik Isaac Taylor), from the legendary hip-hop outfit A Tribe Called Quest, sadly passed away on March 22nd last month. The rapper was working on a solo album entitled Give Thanks when he died due to complications from diabetes at the age of 45 years old. Today, a song that will have featured on that album will premiere on Apple’s Beats 1. The track is called "Nutshell," with a beat provided by the late mastermind J Dilla.
“Phife loved his fans, and was so excited for them to hear his new music. I feel like he would have wanted it this way,” his widow Deisha wrote in a statement to confirm the news.
Half of the proceeds from the single will be donated to two charities: the American Diabetes Association and the National Kidney Foundation. While a video will also accompany the song and will be first aired at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem tonight. The event is called "The Celebration of Phife” and will see a number of tributes made to the influential rapper.
It follows on from a similar event that took place at St. Alban’s Park in New York City, where he was again remembered and celebrated.
Q-Tip, a fellow Tribe member, led the tributes yesterday as he labelled Phife Dawg his “hero”.
“I miss my lil brotha so much right now,” he tweeted.
“He left me with the gift of unconditional love and brotherhood. That will NEVER be lost with me…Ever.”
“I love you Malik,” he concluded.
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Image: LA Times