Happy Music Monday! Even though there are some other tributes in the way, today's March 23rd, and we've just learned about the passing of A Tribe Called Quest rapped Phife Dawg. So today's a slightly-belated tribute to him. Enjoy.
A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It?
Q-Tip was always the most visible member of the Tribe, but Phife Dawg was right there beside him from the start. He's the second rapper on this particular track and his raps are just as playful and infectious as his partner's. Like many young men, I listened to a lot of hip hop in the '80s and '90s, and I was always happy when a Tribe Called Quest song came on the radio. Phife Dawg was a part of why.
More good music coming up after the jump.
A Tribe Called Quest - Jazz (We've Got)/Buggin' Out
There's a lot to like about The Low End Theory, to the point that other artists used it as inspiration. This particular song (or pair of songs if you want to be technical) is an almost perfect example of why A Tribe Called Quest was so important. It's got a smooth yet challenging beat (it's a good groove but you can't dance to it thoughtlessly) and the raps are a lovely mix of politics and references and fun. It's also of note because young Phife references his sweet tooth. Drink a lot of soda so they call me Dr. Pepper. Knowing now what we didn't know then, it's a bit more tragic.
Phife Dawg passed away due to diabetic complications, and this song about the late J Dilla is a tribute to that hero and Phife Dawg himself. Not many hip hop artists would make a video owning their weaknesses in full. Additionally, this song is flat out amazing.
I can't help but note this amazing bit of trivia: Phife Dawg is a playable character in a video game. Click that image above to see him in action! The five foot assassin is a cool little Easter egg, so he can be with us forever. That's pretty great, in my opinion.
A Tribe Called Quest - I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
I first discovered A Tribe Called Quest (and therefore Phife Dawg) on Yo! MTV Raps! one day after school. I don't remember anything about that day specficialy, just that the very next day me and my group had a bunch of new catchphrases all from this song. I can't recall much of the periodic table, but I still know that Ali got the fruit punch. I know that Phife doesn't really say very much on this song, but it ends with that terrific screen shot above, and that's my excuse for using it here. RIP Phife Dawg. You and your band made driving around with my homies a lot cooler.
Let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use. See you next week.