The world of hip-hop is mourning the loss of a true pioneer in Malik Taylor, aka Phife Dawg, of A Tribe Called Quest. After years of health struggles, including undergoing a kidney transplant in 2008 and a fierce battle with diabetes, Phife passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 22, due to complications from the disease. He was 45.
While Q-Tip was the bona fide, smooth-voiced matinee idol of Tribe, Phife was its grounded, growling heart and soul. He was genuine and funny on the mic, often penning some of the group’s most memorable lyrics – and certainly the wittiest ones about ejaculate.
As his passing hits home, we reflect on some highlights from his time in the public eye.
Breaking out on The Low End Theory
On A Tribe Called Quest’s 1990 debut, People’s Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm, Phife only appeared on four songs. In fact, at that point it wasn’t even clear if he was actually in the group, whose loose, collective spirit was spearheaded by Q-Tip. And despite a nice turn on Can I Kick It?, Phife seemed a bit tentative on the record generally.
All that changed by 1991’s classic The Low End Theory. After some hemming and hawing and delays in getting himself ready to deliver in the studio, Phife showed up in a huge way, basically storming his way forward, head down, into the pantheon of iconic rappers. His first verse on the record – on Buggin’ Out – is masterful and the trend continued on virtually every song he was on, including Check The Rhime.
Kick-starting Scenario
Speaking of asserting himself, Phife was the lead hitter on The Low End Theory’s Leaders Of The New School collab Scenario and, if there was any doubt, it quickly became clear that this guy was a star. A sports fan, the competitive Phife always rose to the occasion on posse cuts and more than held his own against anybody. “Bust a nut inside your eye/to show you where I come from” is still smart, juvenile and undeniably one of the funniest lyrics in hip-hop.
Getting self-conscious on Midnight Marauders
“When’s the last time you heard a funky diabetic?’ Phife asked on the hit single Oh My God, setting Tip up for a pre-chrous full of “I dunno man.” And on The Chase, Part II, Tip pulls a Doug Ford by admonishing, “Damn Phife, you got fat,” which Taylor acknowledges with “Yeah, I know it looks pathetic.” In truth Phife had revealed a self-awareness about his short stature, dark skin and overall physical appearance before but he really began opening up about his health in less subtle ways on 1993’s Midnight Marauders. When so many other MCs came across as super athletic specimens, seemingly impervious to mortal concerns, Phife’s openness about his struggles made him endearingly relatable.
Keeping it very real in Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest
Michael Rapaport’s 2011 documentary about the group was sanctioned, disowned and embargoed before finally coming out and showing the world what it was like being in A Tribe Called Quest. While the director was vilified for sensationalizing bad blood between Tip and Phife, in the end he made a compelling film that told a story in its subjects’ own words. It’s easy to see why fans were upset the story is rather heartbreaking. Our heroes are clearly at odds. And while some viewed Phife as entitled, envious and whiny, his openness about his health, his own irresponsibility towards himself and his unease about the group under Tip’s leadership was refreshingly candid.
Phife struggles through his appearance at HHK Toronto 5th Anniversary Show
“Man, can someone get me some juice? Orange juice? Cranberry juice? I’m sorry y’all.” It was hard to watch Phife Dawg get through his special guest turn at the fifth anniversary edition of Hip-Hop Karaoke Toronto at Revival in February, 2012. He seemed wobbly onstage, often sitting down in a daze, and apologized profusely for a blood sugar episode that was taking him out. The room was supportive though and, after repeated attempts, Phife rallied and performed some of his most beloved verses. It was a stunning transformation. By the end, Phife – still gracious – said he was sorry some more and told us he owed our city another show at some point, on the house. I’m not sure if that show ever happened but it wasn’t necessary Toronto got everything it could have out of a true legend.
music@nowtoronto.com | @vishkhanna
