Phife Dawg, who was part of the pioneering alternative Hip Hop trio A Tribe Called Quest, passed away yesterday at age 45.

Although the cause of death hasn't been announced, Dawg (Malik Taylor) had long suffered from diabetes and in 2008 received a kidney transplant.

Dawg was known for his gruff, high pitched voice and his clever rhymes.

RIP, Phife Dawg.

Phife-HipHop & Rap word Warrior, simple as that.Breathed it & lined rhyme into Sport.A true fire Social Narrator my bro #RIBeats ATCQforever

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 23, 2016

One of the most influential rappers on me and hip hop period! Rest In Peace Phife Dawg and thank you for the legacy you leave behind. — ℒσgic♫ アキラ (@Logic301) March 23, 2016

RIP PHIFE. DRINKING A DR PEPPER FOR U RIGHT NOW. pic.twitter.com/ClSNcuLR9P

— Mac (@MacMiller) March 23, 2016

Refuse to believe this. — Just Blaze (@JustBlaze) March 23, 2016

Hearing Phife's voice will forever remind me of my favourite time in rap music #RIPPHIFE

— Foreign Beggars (@ForeignBeggars) March 23, 2016

Rest in peace legend... #PhifeDawg #ATCQ — King Push (@PUSHA_T) March 23, 2016

So fucked up to keep hearing sad news about our comrades in our culture... R.I.P. PHIFE DAWG... #ATCQ LOVE TO TIP, ALI AND JAROBI...

— DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) March 23, 2016

RIP Phife. He was a key ingredient to one of the greatest groups ever. Influenced and touched so many lives, mine included..Tribe all day — Macklemore (@macklemore) March 23, 2016

"Ay yo, Bo knows this & Bo knows that but Bo don't know jack cause Bo can't rap" #RIP #PhifeDawg @ATCQ pic.twitter.com/lpldEp54zT — Cypress Hill ™ (@cypresshill) March 23, 2016