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Q-Tip’s Tribute To Phife Dawg Is A Perfect Weekend Soundtrack

A freestyle from Phife’s last public appearance before his death has also surfaced.

From Kendrick Lamar leading a crowd of 18,000 people to chant Phife Dawg’s name in tribute at a concert after learning of the news of the Tribe Called Quest member’s passing to the hip hop community at large penning lengthy homages, Phife’s legacy continues to live on.

The co-founding emcee of the iconic rap group suffered from complications from diabetes and passed away at 45 on March 22. In the days that have since followed, the group has issued a formal statement, while some of hip hop’s biggest names have taken to social media to share their condolences, fond memories, songs that influenced their careers and favorite Phife Dawg moments.

Pharrell, Just Blaze, Andre 3000, Lamar and Chuck D have all shared their thoughts, with Pharrell eloquently capturing emotionally deep inpact the tragic news holds, saying, “The world lost Phife, but Phife himself actually gained the universe.”

Last night (March 25) during his regularly scheduled programming on Beats 1, Q-Tip hosted a special edition of his Abstract Radio show, using his time on air to pay homage to his departed bandmate and dear friend.

Mixing together a collection of hits, deep cuts, rarities and shout outs from other well-known emcees, Q-Tip created a very special edition of his radio show in honor of Phife. 

Additionally, footage has surfaced from what would be Phife’s last public appearance before his untimely death, and true to form, shows him spitting a freestyle for San Francisco’s Q102 on March 18.

Check out Phife’s freestyle and be sure to listen to Tip’s show in full below.

BET.com is your No. 1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

(Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

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