Funeral Services Held for Phife Protege who Died Performing

Funeral services will be held today for a rapper who died suddenly on stage two weeks ago.

Chris Jax Thurston, a protg of Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest, died of cardiac arrest Nov. 4 during a performance in Atlanta.

Thurston was a respected member of Atlantas underground Hip Hop scene and released six albums independently via iTunes.

Though he was not signed to a major label, Thurstons influence extended to several prominent names in the industry, including DJ Drama and Phife himself.

I wouldnt be in the position that Im in if it wasnt for some of the influence that he had on my life, Drama told All Hip Hop. The most important thing to know is that at the end of the day it comes down to your heart and your passion. No matter what amount of success you get, no matter what type of money or no money, at any degree, its about the music."

For Phife, Thurstons work ethic made him take a second look at the behind the scenes aspect of the music industry. The Tribe emcee also praised Thurstons on stage abilities. I used to kid him and call him Ghostface Jr., he said on Rasta Roots Sirius XM radio show. With his whole swagger and the way he attacked the tracks. His energy was also similar to Bustas.

Thurston had recently gotten married and is survived by his wife, Lisa, his mother, and brother.