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Hip Hop pioneer, the Funky Diabetic, Phife Dawg sadly passes away

RnB/Hip Hop | Wednesday 23rd March 2016 | Arren

NY-born, hip hop legend Phife Dawg has sadly passed away.

He died at the age 45 after years of battling ill health. Despite his short life, he touched many with his work with his group A Tribe Called Quest, who went on to being one of the most influential hip hop acts with respect from both from the underground and the mainstream musical world. 

A Tribe Called Quest were one of the most progressive acts in hip hop at its time, recording five studio albums in total. They debuted with People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm in 1990. Over the years they became one of the most decorated hip hop groups with awards including the Special Achievement Award at the Billboard R&B Hip Hop Awards. After the reign of success they enjoyed they parted ways in 1998, reuniting a few times for the odd show.

He famously named himself the 'Funky Diabetic' and was battling the condition for most of his life. News of his death has shocked the musical world with Snoop Dogg, Chuck D, Mark Ronson, BBC’s Essential Mix, Pusha T, Zane Lowe, Flosstradamus and many, many more taking to social media to pay tribute to the star.

His passing is a massive loss. He was one of New York’s finest and will be greatly missed.

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