Phife Dawg: A Tribe Called Quest star dies aged 45

Rapper Malik Taylor – known as Phife Dawg – has died at the age of 45.

The musician, who helped launch A Tribe Called Quest, passed away on Wednesday, according to Rolling Stone.

While the star’s cause of death is yet to be confirmed, he had a number of health issues and underwent a kidney transplant in 2008.

Taylor formed the hip hop trio with Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad back in 1985 and they went on to have chart success with songs including 1991’s Can I Kick It?

They recently reformed to mark the 25th anniversary of their debut album People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.

Public Enemy’s Chuck D paid tribute to the rapper on Twitter, writing: “Phife-HipHop & Rap word Warrior, simple as that.Breathed it & lined rhyme into Sport.

“A true fire Social Narrator my bro #RIBeats ATCQforever.”

Speaking to Rolling Stone last November, Taylor said: “I am in a good spot, but I have my good days and I have my bad days.

“But I'm more or less in a good spot, so I can't really complain.”

Taylor has been working on his new LP Muttymorphosis at the time of his death, which was due for release later this year.