Besides a formal statement from A Tribe Called Quest, Q-Tip remained publicly silent for more than a week after the March 22 death of friend and band-mate Phife Dawg. On social media yesterday (April 3), the accomplished MC, producer and Kennedy Center director spoke about Malik Taylor. The message about his friend of more than 30 years was from the heart.

On Twitter, Q-Tip referred to Phife as his “hero,” and praised his A.T.C.Q. co-founder his “unconditional love” and “brotherhood.” Some of the tweets are as follows:

I miss my lil brotha so much right now…. He is my hero. I’ve never seen such a fighter. I’m sure u have been through this as well but.

— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) April 3, 2016

Know that in death there is signs and gifts abound

— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) April 3, 2016

He left me with the gift of unconditional love and brotherhood that will NEVER be lost with me… Ever

— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) April 3, 2016

As we commit his body tomorrow his spirit is with us… I take comfort in knowing that GOD is the best of planners

— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) April 3, 2016

I take comfort in knowing that divine order is certain…
I take pride in having the blessing of knowing and having Malik in my life

— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) April 3, 2016

I will be praying for us all as we move through life’s highway that we all will continue to fight for love and joy. I love u Malik.

— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) April 3, 2016

In audio re-released following Phife’s death last month, Q-Tip was previously quoted as calling his rhyme partner a “mentor” in the craft of rapping at age nine or 10. Together, they released five Jive Records albums between 1990 and 1998. Childhood friends, A Tribe Called Quest would officially form with Phife, Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi in 1988.

The complicated, at times tumultuous, relationship of Tip and Phife was chronicled extensively in Sony’s documentary film, Beats, Rhymes, & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest.

A private memorial service will be held for Malik Taylor (a/k/a Phife Dawg) tomorrow (April 5) at New York City’s Apollo Theater.

Dres, of fellow Native Tongues group Black Sheep, was on hand this morning (April 4) in St. Albans Park in Queens, New York to provide shirts granting access to a reported 75 mourning friends and fans on hand to tomorrow’s event. Dres is in the group evitaN with Tribe member Jarobi.

Phife Dawg died from complications of diabetes. He was 45 years old.

Related: Q-Tip Opens Up His Archive Of Live A Tribe Called Quest Recordings To Celebrate Phife Dawg (Audio)