It’s pretty well-known how big A Tribe Called Quest is to Mac Miller. Even so, it’s unlikely anyone thought he would do a tribute song to Phife Dawg’s passing so quickly. But that’s what he did.

Hitting the studio last night, the Pittsburgh rapper (whose producer moniker is Larry Fisherman) mixed together numerous Phife ad-libs and memorable lyrics over his own production through a track he calls “5 Foot Assassin: Larry Fisherman Tribute.”

The song’s message takes a poignant turn toward the end. Mac loops the perfect bars as an embodiment of who Phife Dawg was: “So hear me out one time, you gots to be yourself / Cause if you ain’t yourself you end up by your freaking self.”

Phife Dawg passed away last night after a long battle with diabetes and numerous other illnesses. In 2008, he underwent a kidney transplant following renal failure due to diabetes complications. Our condolences go out to his friends and family during this time.

Listen to Mac Miller’s Phife Dawg tribute song below. Also, check out the hip hop community's reaction to his passing here.

BET.com is your No. 1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

(Photo: Brian Ach/Getty Images for Remy Martin, Maury Phillips/Getty Images for BMI)