American rapper, Malik B., has been confirmed dead.
Malik Abdul Basit who is better known as Malik B., a rapper, singer and founding member of American hip hop band, The Roots, died Wednesday. He was 47.
The Roots announced Malik B.’s death in a statement on the group’s verified Twitter account but did not provide a cause of death.
Although the cause of his death was not disclosed, the group said he will be remembered for his devotion to Islam.
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The group wrote, “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. 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.”
Basit, who performed under the name Malik B., was part of the Philadelphia-based group from its early beginnings to about 1999. Basit appeared on the first four albums released by The Roots — Organix (1993), Do You Want More?!!!??! (1995), Illadelph Halflife (1996) and gold disc Things Fall Apart (1999). He performed for years alongside current band members and co-founders Questlove and Black Thought before departing the group to pursue a solo career.
Daily Times gathered that he later returned as a feature artist on The Roots’ seventh studio album, 2006’s Game Theory, performing on three tracks, including the title track, “In the Music” and “Here I Come.” He also was featured on two of the tracks on The Roots’ 2008 album Rising Down, “I Can’t Help It” and “Lost Desire”.
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