Since Wednesday’s announcement of the death of Malik Isaac Taylor a.k.a. Phife Dawg, there’s been an outpouring of tributes on social media.
Admirers including high-profile celebrities such as Big Sean, Jill Scott, Talib Kweli, and Chris Rock have tweeted their respects to Taylor. The co-founder of legendary hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest has been cited as an influence by many musicians, including Kanye West, The Roots, and Common, and his impact on hip-hop is undeniable.
Whether he was spitting impressive rhymes or sharing insightful commentary, Phife Dawg has been cemented in history as one of the most influential figures in rap.
Here are five examples of the self-described “funky diabetic” showing fans what hip-hop really means: