A Tribe Called Quest founder Phife Dawg dead at 45

NEW YORK — Malik Taylor, better known to music fans Phife Dawg from hip hop trio A Tribe Called Quest, has died. The band has not released an official statement on Taylor’s passing.

Taylor, 45, suffered from Type 1 diabetes and underwent a kidney transplant in 2008, according to Rolling Stone — the first publication to confirm Taylor’s death.

The cause of death has not been released.

As news of Taylor’s death spread, musicians posted messages on social media to honor Taylor’s memory

#PhifeForever

A post shared by Estelle (@estelledarlings) on Mar 23, 2016 at 2:03am PDT

Sad news…..Rest in power #PHIFE 🙏🏻 Thank you for the timeless music you made and the soundtrack of my youth "You'd be a fool to reply that Phife is not the man" #YOUONPOINTPHIFE #LEGEND #ATCQ #THEFIVEFOOTASSASIN

A post shared by travisbarker (@travisbarker) on Mar 23, 2016 at 12:40am PDT