Phife Dawg
Encyclopedia
Malik Isaac Taylor better known by his stage name
Phife Dawg, is an American
rapper of Trinidadian
descent, and a member of the acclaimed group A Tribe Called Quest
with high school classmates Q-Tip
and Ali Shaheed Muhammad
(and for a short time Jarobi White
). He is also known as the "Five Foot Assassin" and "The Five Footer", because he stands at 5 ft 3 in.
In addition to being a member of pioneering hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, Phife has 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
. Currently, Phife is anticipating a second album titled Songs in the Key of Phife. He stated on Billboard
s website that he would like to collaborate with Method Man
, Faith Evans
, De La Soul
, and Redman, as well as his fellow ATCQ bandmates.
He is a playable character in the video game NBA 2K7 and NBA 2K9.
Extended plays
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Phife Dawg, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper of Trinidadian
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
descent, and a member of the acclaimed group A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest is an American hip hop group, formed in 1985, and is composed of rapper/producer Q-Tip , rapper Phife Dawg , and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but rejoined in 2006...
with high school classmates Q-Tip
Q-Tip (rapper)
Kamaal Ibn John Fareed , better known by his stage name Q-Tip, is an American hip hop artist, producer, singer, and actor from St. Albans, Queens, New York, part of the critically acclaimed group A Tribe Called Quest...
and Ali Shaheed Muhammad
Ali Shaheed Muhammad
Ali Shaheed Muhammad is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, producer who enjoyed a great deal of fame as a member of A Tribe Called Quest. With Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, the group released five studio albums from 1990 to 1998....
(and for a short time Jarobi White
Jarobi White
Jarobi White is an American hip hop artist, and one of the four original members of A Tribe Called Quest.|image =- Career :...
). He is also known as the "Five Foot Assassin" and "The Five Footer", because he stands at 5 ft 3 in.
In addition to being a member of pioneering hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, Phife has performed in songs with other artists. He was featured on the Fu-Schnickens
Fu-Schnickens
Fu-Schnickens was an American hip-hop trio. Similar to Das EFX for their cartoonish lyrics and near-constant allusions to pop culture staples, they were the first Hip Hop artists to rap in backwards fashion. The Fu-Schnickens' popularity was brief but significant in hip hop history...
song "La Schmoove", Diamond D
Diamond D
Diamond D is a hip hop producer and MC from the Bronx, New York City, and one of the founding members of the legendary D.I.T.C. crew. He started out as a DJ for Jazzy Jay back in the late 1980s and was at the same time perfecting his skills in beat making and turntablism, and together with rhyme...
's "Painz & Strife" along with Pete Rock
Pete Rock
Peter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...
, Chi-Ali's "Let the Horns Blow" with Dres, Al' Tariq and Trugoy. In 2000, he released his debut solo album, Ventilation: Da LP
Ventilation: Da LP
Ventilation: Da LP is the debut solo album of Phife Dawg. Reviews for Phife's album were mixed. Some praised him and the album for its new sound, lyrics and the rhythm of his rhymes. Though the album was not a commercial success, the singles "Bend Ova" and "Flawless" were minor hits.-Track...
. Currently, Phife is anticipating a second album titled Songs in the Key of Phife. He stated on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s website that he would like to collaborate with Method Man
Method Man
Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
, Faith Evans
Faith Evans
Faith Renée Evans is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, record producer, actress and author. Born in Florida and raised in New Jersey, Evans relocated to Los Angeles during 1993 for a career with the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B...
, De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
, and Redman, as well as his fellow ATCQ bandmates.
He is a playable character in the video game NBA 2K7 and NBA 2K9.
Discography
Studio albums- 2000: Ventilation: Da LPVentilation: Da LPVentilation: Da LP is the debut solo album of Phife Dawg. Reviews for Phife's album were mixed. Some praised him and the album for its new sound, lyrics and the rhythm of his rhymes. Though the album was not a commercial success, the singles "Bend Ova" and "Flawless" were minor hits.-Track...
- 2011: Songs in the Key of Phife Volume 1: Cheryl's Big Son
Extended plays
- 2011: Songs in the Key of Phife: 8 is Enough
Filmography
- 1993: Who's the Man?Who's the Man?Who's the Man? is a 1993 comedy film, directed by Ted Demme. The film stars Yo! MTV Raps hosts Doctor Dré and Ed Lover as its two main protagonists., it features dozens of cameo appearances from some of the top rap/hip-hop acts of the time, including Busta Rhymes, Eric B., House of Pain, Ice-T,...
– Gerald - 1998: The Rugrats MovieThe Rugrats MovieThe Rugrats Movie is a 1998 American animated film, produced by Klasky Csupo and Nickelodeon Movies. The film was distributed by Paramount Pictures and first released in theaters in the United States on November 20, 1998....
– Newborn Baby - 2011: "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called QuestBeats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called QuestBeats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest is a documentary film directed by Michael Rapaport about an influential and groundbreaking hip hop group from New York City...
" - Himself