Experimental artist and composer Mira Calix has passed away. Warp Records, the label which released the majority of her music and where she previously worked as a press officer, announced her death on social media, writing: “Mira was not only a hugely talented artist and composer, she was also a beautiful, caring human who touched the lives of everyone who had the honor of working with her.
It is with a heavy heart that we report the news of the passing of one of Chicago House’s most influential producers and DJs, the mighty Paul Johnson.
An infectious, kind and loving character, Paul Johnson is best known for his self-taught DJ style of house music and his 1999 single “Get Get Down”, which became a worldwide hit.
It’s with a heavy heart that we have learned of the news that renowned producer and DJ i_o, born Garrett Lockhart, is dead.
A message on his Twitter account announced the tragic news, stating that aged 30, i_o passed away yesterday, November 23rd, 2020. “This extremely talented spirit taught us that even if nothing matters, you can still lead with love,” the post states. “Garrett’s truth and soul lives on through the music he shared.”
The world of music lost an important rap icon as we learned that that Malik Taylor, known as A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dawg, has passed away aged 45.
Rolling Stone reports that the artist died Tuesday following complications that resulted from his already-known diabetes condition. Taylor had undergone a kidney transplant in 2008 to deal with the same battle, admitting in 2011 in Beats, Rhymes & Life, Michael Rapaport’s documentary on the group. “It’s really a sickness. Like straight-up drugs. I’m just addicted to sugar.”
“Malik was our loving husband, father, brother and friend,” a statement from the family reads. “We love him dearly. How he impacted all our lives will never be forgotten. His love for music and sports was only surpassed by his love of God and family.”
Although the group broke up and reunited on several occasions following the release of their last album, 1998’s the Love Movement, Taylor appeared on all five of the group’s albums, most notably with 1991’s The Low End Theory. While the group did get back together for some sporadic live shows, they never produced together again following their reunions.
A Tribe Called Quest in downtown Manhattan, 1989 – picture by Janette Beckman
Sadly, declining health problems meant that Taylor couldn’t shine as a solo artist as he may have wanted. He did release his only solo album Ventilation: Da LP in 2000 and when speaking to Rolling Stone last November, he remained somewhat optimistic about both his health and future plans to release music.
“Even though I knew I had [diabetes], I was in denial,” Taylor said in the documentary. “I had to have my sugar. You have to accept it. If you don’t accept it, it’s going to kick your ass.” He continued to reunite with the band for live shows in part to help with the medical costs needed to battle the illness. His contributions to rap and music overall remain as relevant and timeless as ever.
There is no question that A Tribe Called Quest remains one of the most influential rap groups of all time, their role in the shaping of 90s rap music as important today as it was twenty-five years ago. Today, more than ever, people are looking up to the sky and asking, “Can I Kick It?”
The band’s chemistry was undoubtedly one of their strongest traits. The first single of their second album The Low End Theory, entitled “Check The Rhime” is the perfect example of this special synergy. The outcome is a seamless exchange between all of Tribe members.
With “Jazz (We’ve Got) Buggin’ Out”, A Tribe Called Quest explore their deep jazz roots with Taylor contributing verses about urban life as the song touches upon Caribbean wisdom, their personal life, Zulu Nation and more.
