The Roots' Malik B, a Philadelphia legend, dies at 47

Charles DavisJul 30, 2020, 10:23 IST

Insider

This image provided by @mpozitolbertphotography shows Malik B in studio. The rapper and founding member of The Roots, has died. He was 47. The group announced the death of the Philadelphia-based emcee in a social media post Wednesday. The cause of death has not been released. Malik B, whose real name is Malik Abdul Basit, was a major contributor to the group, which includes Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter. He appeared on four albums before departing the group in 1999. In the following year, the Roots won their first Grammy.@mpozitolbertphotography via AP

Malik Abdul Basit, popularly known as Malik B., passed away Thursday at the age of 47.
Basit was a founding member of The Roots, a legendary hip-hop group from Philadelphia.
"May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam and innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time," stated The Roots' Twitter account.
A cause of death was not released.

Malik Abdul Basit, the rapper best known for his work with legendary hip-hop group The Roots, died Thursday at the age of 47.

Basit, a Philadelphia native best known as Malik B, appeared on The Roots' first four albums, before leaving the group in 1999. He released two albums as a solo artist.

"We regretfully inform you of the passing of our beloved brother and long time Roots member Malik Abdul Basit," The Roots posted on Twitter. "May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam and innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time."

"We made a name and carved a lane together," fellow Roots MC Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter posted in a tribute on Instagram. "We resurrected a city from the ashes, put it on our backs and called it Illadelph."

"The world just lost a real one," he added.

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The Roots' Malik B, a Philadelphia legend, dies at 47