According to DJ Chuck Chillout‘s Twitter post, the legendary Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest has passed away at the young age of 45. Chuck Chillout posted the Tweet just after 1 a.m. EST Wednesday morning [March 23].

The Five-Foot Assassin has been battling his health for years, consistently fighting Type-I diabetes, which he developed in 1990.

The news of his death was also confirmed by Statik Selektah. Many veteran Hip Hop artists have already taken to social media to express their condolences, including Aesop Rock, Chuck D, Jurassic 5’s DJ Nu-Mark and El-P.


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 revealed. Check back for updates as this story continues to develop.