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Mama Phife Represents
Award-winning poet Cheryl Boyce-Taylor pays tribute to her departed son Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor of the legendary hip-hop trio A Tribe Called Quest in this intimate collection.
Mama Phife Represents is a hybrid-story that follows the journey of a mother’s grieving heart through her first two years of public and private mourning. Told through a tapestry of narrative poems, dreams, anecdotes, journal entries, and letters, these treasured fragments of their lives show a great love between mother and son. Artist and artist, teacher and friend. Cheryl Boyce-Taylor’s gift includes drawings, emails, hip-hop lyrics, and notes Malik wrote to his parents beginning at age eight. Both elegy and praise song, there is joy and sorrow, healing, and a mother’s triumphant heart that rises and blooms again.
Mama Phife Represents is a hybrid-story that follows the journey of a mother’s grieving heart through her first two years of public and private mourning. Told through a tapestry of narrative poems, dreams, anecdotes, journal entries, and letters, these treasured fragments of their lives show a great love between mother and son. Artist and artist, teacher and friend. Cheryl Boyce-Taylor’s gift includes drawings, emails, hip-hop lyrics, and notes Malik wrote to his parents beginning at age eight. Both elegy and praise song, there is joy and sorrow, healing, and a mother’s triumphant heart that rises and blooms again.
124 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 21, 2021
this is the place where fans of hip-hop, fans of stark poetry, and people who are struggling with grief intersect. an absolutely harrowing, and touching, collection that weaves a delicate, gorgeous narrative of love and loss.
August 27, 2021
Incandescent in its pain, voluminous in its grief, grateful for its joy, and generous in the sharing of all three, Cheryl Boyce-Taylor didn't owe any of us this book about her son's life and death, and her surviving it, but she gave it to us anyway. Damned if that's not a beautiful thing.
June 22, 2023
Meshing poetry and music with this one… LOVELY
Nothing more heartbreaking than a grieving mother— a beautiful exploration of loss, art, death, and a mother’s love. Thank you Eleni for the recommendation <3
Nothing more heartbreaking than a grieving mother— a beautiful exploration of loss, art, death, and a mother’s love. Thank you Eleni for the recommendation <3
March 29, 2021
If we all didn’t already love Cheryl Boyce-Taylor for gifting us with the life of her son Malik, who brought so much joy with his music, we’d have to love her for her aching and resonant poetry of witness, written with courage in the face of the unimaginable.
September 18, 2025
“… my name is Phife Dawg from the Zulu nation”…One of many of Phife’s lines that’s forever stuck in my head. I recall when I found out he was of Trini heritage…like me…I liked him even more - always loved a Tribe Called Quest…
To hear his mom - Cheryl Boyce-Taylor speak, to realize she was a poet, a writer, an actor…Phife’s mom- the woman who gave birth to this lyrical legend … It figured his mom was a wordsmith herself…I was speechless as I listened to her being interviewed at Brooklyn Caribbean Lit Fest…As Phife’s mom signed my book - I wondered what could she be writing to me?
I repeat his name just as his mom did, throughout this Love Letter to her son - this book reads like a collection of intimate memories over a lifetime. A mother/son bond so intimate that you feel like a voyeur witnessing every conversation, reaction and meeting every family member & friends as if you were there… Cheryl Boyce-Taylor takes us along even as she deals with him facing a search for a kidney, making health decisions & eventually facing the unimaginable loss of her successful, talented son - well loved by hip hop heads internationally…
What is it like to lose a son? One mother tells us - as her rhythmic storytelling & passion reveal this special, beautiful relationship…she still smiles as she says his name or shares a memory…So much is shared from his handwritten letters - a sweet touch which broke my heart as he definitely seems to have been taken from us too soon…thankful he accomplished so much & left so much fir his loved ones & his mom to share & reminisce over him…
I could go on & on but I encourage you to check it out for yourself…buy this book or any one of her poetry books & support Mama Phife fuhevah evah…
To hear his mom - Cheryl Boyce-Taylor speak, to realize she was a poet, a writer, an actor…Phife’s mom- the woman who gave birth to this lyrical legend … It figured his mom was a wordsmith herself…I was speechless as I listened to her being interviewed at Brooklyn Caribbean Lit Fest…As Phife’s mom signed my book - I wondered what could she be writing to me?
I repeat his name just as his mom did, throughout this Love Letter to her son - this book reads like a collection of intimate memories over a lifetime. A mother/son bond so intimate that you feel like a voyeur witnessing every conversation, reaction and meeting every family member & friends as if you were there… Cheryl Boyce-Taylor takes us along even as she deals with him facing a search for a kidney, making health decisions & eventually facing the unimaginable loss of her successful, talented son - well loved by hip hop heads internationally…
What is it like to lose a son? One mother tells us - as her rhythmic storytelling & passion reveal this special, beautiful relationship…she still smiles as she says his name or shares a memory…So much is shared from his handwritten letters - a sweet touch which broke my heart as he definitely seems to have been taken from us too soon…thankful he accomplished so much & left so much fir his loved ones & his mom to share & reminisce over him…
I could go on & on but I encourage you to check it out for yourself…buy this book or any one of her poetry books & support Mama Phife fuhevah evah…
January 12, 2025
i picked this up at the haymarket book fair and i didn't look at the cover i just opened it up to page 70
My baby was born with a long wisp of hair stuck to his forehead. I had been in pain for two days before his birth. I went to the hospital, but they sent me back home. On the second day I returned, refused to leave. The next morning the doctors induced labor. I was seven months pregnant. I was parked on a bed in the labor area when I asked a nurse for a bed pan, she said, No. You don't need one. I got so angry. I said, Okay! I'm going to shit up this bed!
Moments after she left the room, I felt deep pressure and overwhelming pain all I could do was push. And in what seemed like seconds, my boy was there-my gift-hollering to break free.
The doctors appeared like a swarm of bees all trying to make sure the baby was okay, but we had another surprise for them. Baby number two was on the way out. Mikal, Malik's twin brother. Since Malik's birth, I have often wondered how he picked my silly teen body to be his home. How and why did he choose me to be his mama?
Mikal only lived for eight hours, yet for years Malik spoke about him like he really knew him. As a young child Malik would tell his father and I that Mikal was coming to visit him. He often prayed for him before bedtime. Once he sang a song to us that he said his brother wrote. Later he wrote hip-hop lyrics for Mikal and acknowledged him on his ATCQ albums.
im so grateful i found this book <3. im not sure id have liked it much if i wasn't already a tribe fan, but the fact is i loved phife dawg and i liked mama phife represents.
My baby was born with a long wisp of hair stuck to his forehead. I had been in pain for two days before his birth. I went to the hospital, but they sent me back home. On the second day I returned, refused to leave. The next morning the doctors induced labor. I was seven months pregnant. I was parked on a bed in the labor area when I asked a nurse for a bed pan, she said, No. You don't need one. I got so angry. I said, Okay! I'm going to shit up this bed!
Moments after she left the room, I felt deep pressure and overwhelming pain all I could do was push. And in what seemed like seconds, my boy was there-my gift-hollering to break free.
The doctors appeared like a swarm of bees all trying to make sure the baby was okay, but we had another surprise for them. Baby number two was on the way out. Mikal, Malik's twin brother. Since Malik's birth, I have often wondered how he picked my silly teen body to be his home. How and why did he choose me to be his mama?
Mikal only lived for eight hours, yet for years Malik spoke about him like he really knew him. As a young child Malik would tell his father and I that Mikal was coming to visit him. He often prayed for him before bedtime. Once he sang a song to us that he said his brother wrote. Later he wrote hip-hop lyrics for Mikal and acknowledged him on his ATCQ albums.
im so grateful i found this book <3. im not sure id have liked it much if i wasn't already a tribe fan, but the fact is i loved phife dawg and i liked mama phife represents.
December 27, 2021
In this collection of poetry, accomplished poet Cheryl Boyce-Taylor remembers her son Malik ""Phife Dawg" Taylor, of the legendary hip-hop trio A Tribe Called Quest. Malik died of type 1 diabetes. Boyce-Taylor published several books of poetry before this one and her experience and skill at writing poetry shows. These are sad and painful memories for her as she pours out her heart in remembering and grieving over the loss of her son. This book is about loss and grief, but also about love and hope.
February 10, 2021
𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 took me on a sorrowful journey that detailed the grieving heart of a loving mother. An exquisite testament of the bond between mother and son, this book is a reflection of love, loss and healing.
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Malik Izaak Taylor aka Phife Dawg was a founding memeber of the legendary hip-hop group 𝘼 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩. Phife Dawg an MC that brought hip-hop to the masses, died at the age of 45 due to complications from Diabetes. Also known as the “Funky Diabetic” his work has been cited as an influence on artists such as 𝙆𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙚 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩, 𝙅𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙩𝙩, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨 and 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣. Tribe’s 1991 album titled 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐲 is considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever released.
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I found the contents of this book fragmented and scattered in a very necessary way. The lack of fluidity makes complete sense as it captures the mind of a mother struggling to understand the loss of her son. The way the book skips from poetry, to hand written notes, song lyrics, and short stories (none of which are in chronological order), accurately paints the picture of pain. I mean, come on..How can one think straight when she has lost her most precious jewel? She can’t! And that’s what makes this tapestry of memories so impactful. I could feel Mama Phife’s pain. It was intense and woeful.
⠀
At 123 pages this is a very quick read. And to be honest, I appreciate the short length of the book. Any longer would have been too emotionally draining for me. Although the book is small in length, I learned a lot about Phife. For example, I learned he was born a twin. As a child he loved getting ice cream from the ice cream man. He was madly in love with his wife Diesha, who gave him a kidney when he needed it.
⠀
This is a book about love! And I am so grateful Cheryl shared her truth with us. I know it wasn’t easy. But I can honestly say, Mama Phife did represent!
⠀
I give the book 4 1/2⭐️s
A good read for Tribe fans.
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Malik Izaak Taylor aka Phife Dawg was a founding memeber of the legendary hip-hop group 𝘼 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩. Phife Dawg an MC that brought hip-hop to the masses, died at the age of 45 due to complications from Diabetes. Also known as the “Funky Diabetic” his work has been cited as an influence on artists such as 𝙆𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙚 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩, 𝙅𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙩𝙩, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨 and 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣. Tribe’s 1991 album titled 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐲 is considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever released.
⠀
I found the contents of this book fragmented and scattered in a very necessary way. The lack of fluidity makes complete sense as it captures the mind of a mother struggling to understand the loss of her son. The way the book skips from poetry, to hand written notes, song lyrics, and short stories (none of which are in chronological order), accurately paints the picture of pain. I mean, come on..How can one think straight when she has lost her most precious jewel? She can’t! And that’s what makes this tapestry of memories so impactful. I could feel Mama Phife’s pain. It was intense and woeful.
⠀
At 123 pages this is a very quick read. And to be honest, I appreciate the short length of the book. Any longer would have been too emotionally draining for me. Although the book is small in length, I learned a lot about Phife. For example, I learned he was born a twin. As a child he loved getting ice cream from the ice cream man. He was madly in love with his wife Diesha, who gave him a kidney when he needed it.
⠀
This is a book about love! And I am so grateful Cheryl shared her truth with us. I know it wasn’t easy. But I can honestly say, Mama Phife did represent!
⠀
I give the book 4 1/2⭐️s
A good read for Tribe fans.
⠀
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February 22, 2023
I started tearing up inside the book store reading through the pages of this book, and it was before I even knew the story- or who- phife dawg even was.
Poetry to encapsulate this mothers love for her son, and her struggle with watching him struggle. It reminds me of my mother and grandmother. great book!
Poetry to encapsulate this mothers love for her son, and her struggle with watching him struggle. It reminds me of my mother and grandmother. great book!
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December 3, 2023honorable mentions: the botanical references; blue cohosh, goldenseal, yellow oxalis. references to new people. aracelis girmay. her long-form essays and "ships" by Mall. his rhymes. "i eat and eat from the table of loss and when it's finally gonw i want more." "stone" -- "i saw God's face and wept bitterly."
May 11, 2021
The grief is palpable. Moving tribute. Mother’s love. True friendship. Story of immigration and cultivating an artist. Discovery for me how Phife’s mom is a bonafide artist herself. Deeper understanding of a man who is a part of one of my favorite music groups ever. Prepare to really feel this.
January 26, 2021
This was so beautiful to read, RIP Phife Dawg.
June 5, 2021
Joy, love, loss, and grief. A touching book of poetry about Phife Dawg written by his mother. A+.
January 20, 2023
Nice collection. I especially enjoyed the rawness of it.
July 22, 2024
such a beautiful collection of work on grief & specifically a mother’s grief of a child
November 16, 2025
So much pain and so much love.
March 15, 2021
This book was excellent! I feel as if I learned more about Phife the person. It also felt like reading a 98-page eulogy. The author's pain is evident.
February 22, 2021
Heartbreaking and beautiful.
January 21, 2021
All Over the Place
Phife was one of my favorite hip hop artists. My love for him made me want to love this book. It was so scattered and hard to follow. That makes sense because it’s mean to be a glimpse into his mother’s grief. I know grief can be incoherent and confusing. This book was just so disjointed. There was a lot of rambling. The few tidbits that were about Malik were enjoyable. Overall, it left me feeling cheated.
Phife was one of my favorite hip hop artists. My love for him made me want to love this book. It was so scattered and hard to follow. That makes sense because it’s mean to be a glimpse into his mother’s grief. I know grief can be incoherent and confusing. This book was just so disjointed. There was a lot of rambling. The few tidbits that were about Malik were enjoyable. Overall, it left me feeling cheated.
January 23, 2021
Heartbreaking and raw.
April 13, 2022
Visceral, raw, heartbreaking, beautiful. A full picture of love.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews