As we try to assess the sad news that hit us yesterday morning regarding founding ATCQ member Phife, the least we can do is enjoy the timeless music he made with his brethren Q-Tip & Ali Sahheed. This mix is curated by the good folk at I still love H.E.R.de.

RIP Phife Dawg. The Legacy continues.

I write this with a very heavy heart. The last death in Hip Hop that effected me this much was Dilla’s. Tribe is undeniably one of the most important and influential Hip Hop acts of all time.

I’ve been at a loss for words since finding out this morning and I decided to put this energy into bringing you his music, to reminisce, to celebrate his life and work.

There’s only one thing I want to say: We are losing too many of our greats at young ages not to violence, but to illness. We don’t talk about or promote a healthy lifestyle enough in Hip Hop. We lost Phife to his battle with diabetes at only 45 years old. We can’t afford losing any more of our own. Take care of you, take care of your health, your bodies. Do it for yourself and also for us all.

We love you, Phife.