Phife Dawg Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts

Phife Dawg Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Phife Dawg is a rapper celebrated for his pioneering role with A Tribe Called Quest and his expressive lyrical presence.

Introduction

Malik Izaak Taylor — known to the world as Phife Dawg — was born on November 20, 1970, and celebrated his birthday on November 20 each year. Over the course of his career as a founding member of A Tribe Called Quest, he achieved considerable success and influence in hip-hop. His estimated net worth stood at around $5 million.  In terms of personal life, he was publicly married to Deisha Head‑Taylor, a relationship that drew respectful attention amid his artistic journey and health challenges. 

Quick Facts

From Queens Roots to Hip-Hop Innovator

Phife Dawg’s story begins in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens, New York, where he was born to Trinidadian immigrant parents.  Growing up alongside his childhood friend Q‑Tip, he absorbed the pulse of urban culture and forged his earliest rhymes inspired by the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.” 
As A Tribe Called Quest took shape in the mid-1980s, Phife evolved from a local favorite into a core lyricist whose voice offered both swagger and sincerity. His contributions to the seminal album The Low End Theory (1991) positioned him as more than just a supporting MC — he became one half of a defining duo alongside Q-Tip. 
Defining moments in Phife Dawg’s journey include:

• Joining A Tribe Called Quest and contributing to their breakthrough albums

• Coining the nickname “Five-Foot Assassin” that captured his compact stature and lyrical ferocity

• Launching a solo album, Ventilation: Da LP (2000), while balancing group commitments 

• Battling serious health issues related to diabetes and kidney failure, which influenced his output and legacy 

Main Sources of Wealth

The core pillars of Phife Dawg’s wealth include:

• Record sales and royalties from A Tribe Called Quest albums and solo work

• Live performances and tour earnings, including reunion tours and guest appearances

• Posthumous releases and catalogue management, as his legacy continues to generate revenue

While a breakdown is not available from every trusted source, publicly reported figures suggest:

Relationships & Family Life

Phife Dawg’s personal life was marked by commitment and resilience. He married Deisha Head-Taylor, and the couple faced his evolving health challenges together — Deisha famously donated a kidney during his kidney-transplant journey.  While Phife maintained a private family life, those close to him described him as deeply loyal to his wife and community.
Key insights into Phife Dawg’s relationships and personal life:

• His marriage to Deisha Head-Taylor provided stability amid his professional and health-related turbulence

• He maintained strong ties to his Trinidadian heritage through his mother, Cheryl Boyce‑Taylor, and his community in Queens 

• His health condition (diabetes) became a shared challenge in which family support played a crucial role

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Phife Dawg led a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• A deep love for basketball and the New York Knicks, frequently referenced in his lyrics and persona 

• Collecting vinyl, engaging in studio sessions and collaborations that extended his craft beyond mainstream spotlight 

• Philanthropic intent related to diabetes awareness and kidney health: his struggle became part of his message and outreach 

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

Evaluating Phife Dawg’s net worth requires cautious context: estimates vary, and his passing in 2016 means much of his income now derives from legacy management.

Although awarded as a flat estimate, the figure reflects the era, genre, and solo career scale relative to his peers. His primary wealth driver remained his involvement with A Tribe Called Quest rather than high-end diversification.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Phife Dawg’s public image was dual-threaded — he was both the energetic foil to Q-Tip’s smoothness and a voice for the real-life guy in hip-hop. Critics and fans alike praised his self-effacing humor, inventive wordplay, and authenticity. 
His legacy is multifaceted:

• He helped redefine what rap could sound and feel like — more melodic yet still rooted in street awareness. 

• He became a symbol for overcoming health adversity, turning diabetic complications into an artistic narrative and later a public mission.

• His influence can be felt in artists who balance vulnerability and confidence, and in the resurgence of jazz-inflected hip-hop that his group helped pioneer.

Conclusion

In the story of Phife Dawg — born November 20, 1970 and celebrated every November 20 — one finds the arc of a young Queens rapper who rose to shape an entire movement, married the woman who supported him through trials, amassed an estimated net worth of $5 million, and left a lasting imprint on music and culture. His relationships, artistry, and personal life echo far beyond the tracks he recorded. Through his voice and legacy, Phife Dawg continues to remind us that greatness often comes from the combination of rawness and resolve.