According to many reports the legendary Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest has passed away at the age of 45. Many of us woke to the news all over Twitter with messages of his passing after 1 a.m. EST.
The Five-Foot Assassin has been battling his health for years, consistently fighting Type-IÂ diabetes, which he developed in 1990.
The news of his death was also confirmed by Statik Selektah, and many Hip Hop artists, including Mobb Deep, Chuck DÂ and El-P, who have taken to social media to express their condolences, as well.
A Tribe Called Quest, of course, is Hip Hop royalty and greatly respected by countless fans around the world. No details surrounding his exact cause of death have yet been reveled. Check back for updates as this story continues to develop.
Confirmed. rest in peace Phife. Man. I’m out.
— Statik Selektah (@StatikSelekt) March 23, 2016
Sad day for Hip Hop as we lose another! Want to Salute the homie #PhifeDawg You will be missed! Rest In Paradise fam
— Mobb Deep (@MobbDeep) March 23, 2016