Malik Isaac Taylor (November 20, 1970 – March 23, 2016), better known by his stage name Phife Dawg (or simply Phife), was an American rapper of Trinidadian descent, and 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 ft 3 in.

Solo Career

In addition to being a member of pioneering hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, Phife had performed in songs with other artists. He was featured on the Fu-Schnickens song "La Schmoove", Diamond D's "Painz & Strife" along with Pete Rock, Chi-Ali's "Let the Horns Blow" with Dres, Al' Tariq and Trugoy. In 2000, he released his debut solo album, Ventilation: Da LP. As of 2013 it was reported that Phife was working on a solo album titled MUTTYmorPHosis.

Personal Life

Phife Dawg was an avid sports fan, so much so that he had been featured on various radio shows and sports programming on ESPN. He was also a playable character in the video game NBA 2K7 and NBA 2K9.

Phife was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in May of 1990.  He mentioned being a "funky diabetic" in the single "Oh My God" from the group's third album, Midnight Marauders, confirming that he did indeed have diabetes. He received a kidney transplant in 2008 after being on the waiting list for two years.

Death

He passed away on March 22 2016.

Discography

Studio albums

• 2000: Ventilation: Da LP

Filmography

• 1993: Who's the Man? – Gerald
• 1998: The Rugrats Movie – Newborn Baby
• 2007 NBA 2K8 - Himself
• 2011: Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest - Himself