Phife Dawg’s Protege Jax Dies On Stage
Phife Dawg of veteran rap group A Tribe Called Quest suffered a crushing loss earlier this month when his protege, underground rapper Jax, died on stage during a performance at Lenny's in Atlanta. According to reports, the young rapper, born Chris Thurston, died of a heart attack.
Thurston was a popular and well-respected rapper in Atlanta's thriving underground scene, along with his group Binkis Recs, and his talent eventually caught the attention of Phife, DJ Rasta Root and DJ Drama.
"I just don't cater to anyone like that," Phife said in a radio interview. "I used to kid him and call him Ghostface Jr., with his whole swagger and the way he attacked the tracks. His energy was also similar to [Busta Rhymes']."
The underground emcee was working alongside Phife and Rasta Root to launch the independent label Smokin' Needles Records before his untimely death. Funeral services for Thurston were held in his hometown of Queens, N.Y. on November 15.
Departed Music Personalities
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