Phife Dawg

Malik Isaac Taylor[1] (November 20, 1970 – March 22, 2016), better known by his stage name Phife Dawg (or simply Phife), was an American rapper.[2]

Phife Dawg
Phife-dawg-jm3-funyons.jpg
Phife Dawg in 2009
Background information
Birth nameMalik Isaac Taylor
Also known asFive Foot Assassin
Phife
Born(1970-11-20)November 20, 1970
OriginSt. Albans, Queens, New York, U.S.
DiedMarch 22, 2016(2016-03-22) (aged 45)
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1988–2016
LabelsJive
Groove Attack Records
Associated actsA Tribe Called Quest
De La Soul
Jungle Brothers
J Dilla
Hi-Tek
Pete Rock
Busta Rhymes
Queen Latifah
Monie Love
Supa Dave West
TLC
One_Over

Career

He was a member of the group A Tribe Called Quest with high school classmates Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (and for a short time Jarobi White). He was also known as the "Five Foot Assassin" and "The Five Footer", because he stood at 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m).

Death

Taylor died on March 22, 2016 due to complications of diabetes at the age of 45.[3]

References

  1. "Ghostface Killah, Jay Electronica and Others Honor 'Phife Dawg'". Hip-Hop Wired. January 20, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  2. Phife Dawg: His Name Is Mutty Ranks HipHopDX. Accessed on November 24, 2010.
  3. "Phife Dawg, Founding Member of A Tribe Called Quest, Dead at 45". Billboard.

Other websites

  Media related to Phife Dawg at Wikimedia Commons