Phife Dawg, rapper and co-founder of A Tribe Called Quest, dies at 45

There are reports this morning that Phife Dawg, part of influential hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, has died. The New York-born rapper, whose real name was Malik Isaac Taylor, was 45 years old.

The news was posted by DJ Chuck Chillout on Twitter just after 1 a.m. eastern time Wednesday morning, and music website Bluntiq just tweeted the following: “We’re saddened to report that Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest has passed away. RIP to the legend.” Others, like Aesop Rock, Steve Aoki, and El-P, have chimed in with condolences.

UPDATE 2:31 a.m.: Statik Selektah just tweeted: “Confirmed. rest in peace Phife. Man. I’m out.” Adds Chuck D., a little before 3 a.m.: “Phife-HipHop & Rap word Warrior, simple as that.Breathed it & lined rhyme into Sport.A true fire Social Narrator my bro #RIBeats ATCQforever”

Taylor formed A Tribe Called Quest in 1985 with MC/producer Q-Tip and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. The group is considered one of the pioneers of old-school hip-hop.

The cause of death has not been made public. We’ll post any updates as they become available.