Diabetes takes down 'A Tribe Called Quest' rapper

US rapper, Phife Dawg from the legendary music group 'A Tribe Called Quest' has lost his battle with Diabetes at the age of 45.

Reports say Dawg (real name, Malik Isaac Taylor) had a long battle with Type-1 diabetes and has been diagnosed since 1990. He underwent a kidney transplant in 2008.

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DJ Chuck Chillout broke the news to fans overnight on March 23 that his pal had died. He tweeted a picture of the fallen rapper with a caption: "RIP to PhifeDog of Tribe Called Quest," which immediately had the internet reeling over the news, causing the item to rocket to the most trending topic on Twitter.

The news of his death was also confirmed by Statik Selektah, and many veteran Hip Hop artists, including Aesop Rock, Chuck D and El-P, who took to Twitter to express their sadness over Phife’s loss.