Q-Tip, Outkast, Kendrick Lamar, Chuck D Honor Phife Dawg on “Abstract Radio"

Last night, on his Beats 1 radio show “Abstract Radio,” Q-Tip paid tribute to his fellow A Tribe Called Quest member Phife Dawg, who died at the age of 45 earlier this week. He played a two-hour mix of Tribe songs, including live performances and remixes from the 2015 reissue of People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. Listen to the entire mix here.

During the episode, André 3000, Big Boi, Kendrick Lamar, El-P, Chuck D, and more discussed the impact Phife, in particular, had on their lives and careers. André and Big Boi both cited Tribe as their main inspiration for starting OutKast. Kendrick said that, growing up, he listened to only gangster rap and Low End Theory. He said “Scenario” was his favorite song at the time. “It’s only right that I homage to Phife and the whole Tribe for birthin’ what I do on that microphone and what I do on that stage,” he said.

Several other artists including ?uestlove, Chris Rock, Chance the Rapper, Mac Miller, Busta Rhymes, and more have paid tribute to Phife Dawg. Tim Westwood also shared an unreleased freestyle of Phife’s from 1999. And Terrace Martin released “Tribe Called West,” a song inspired by Tribe as a whole. Now, Wiz Khalifa has paid his respects. He’s rapped over Tribe’s “Electric Relaxation” from Midnight Marauders. Download it here.

Read “Dave Chappelle and 12 Other Comedians on Phife Dawg, A Tribe Called Quest’s Heart (and Funny Bone),” “10 Lyrics That Prove His Prowess” and “Why A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dawg Was Sports Fans’ Favorite Rapper” on the Pitch.

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