One of the founding members of super Hip Hop group The Roots has died. The death of Malik Abdul Basit, better known as Malik B., was confirmed on Twitter by the group’s profile page. He was only 47.
“It is with heavy hearts and tearful eyes that we regretfully inform you of the passing of our beloved brother and long time Roots member Malik Abdul Basit,” the statement on Instagram reads. “May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam, His loving brotherhood and his innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time. We ask that you please respect his family and extended family in our time of mourning such a great loss.”
A cause of death has not been provided.
Born in 1972, Malik B. released two solo albums and one EP during his career. He would later form the Philadelphia-based group alongside Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter in 1987.
Malik B. appeared on four albums with the group, Organix (1993), Do You Want More?!!!??! (1994), Illadelph Halflife (1996) and Things Fall Apart (1999). He would earn a Grammy with the group for the song “You Got Me,” one of the classic and most admired Hip Hop songs to be released. Years later, he would appear as a guest on The Roots albums.
He would also release his own projects Street Assault (2005) and Unpredictable (2015) with Mr. Green and the EP Psychological (2006).
