Malik B. Dies: Longtime member of The Roots was 47
Malik Abdul Basit (also known as Malik B.), a rapper, singer and member of The Roots, died on Wednesday. He was 47 years old. The Roots announced Basit's death during a statement on the group's verified Twitter account, but did not provide an explanation for the death.
"We regret to inform you of the death of our beloved brother and fellow roommate Malik Abdul Basit," says the statement." May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam and innovation along with the most talented MCs of all time. We ask him to simply respect his family in our time of mourning.
No explanation was given for the death.
Basit, who performed under the name Malik B., was part of the Philadelphia-based group from its inception until about 1999, when he left amidst the group tensions detailed in the song "Water" from The Roots' album "Phrenology. Written by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter, the song talks about Basit's struggles with addiction.
Basit went on to supply solo material and, several years after his departure, also appeared on several tracks on the Roots albums.
Basit appeared on all four major albums released by The Roots - Organix (1993). (1995), Illadelph Halflife (1996) and Gold Disc Things disintegrate (1999). He performed for years with current band members and co-founders Questlove and Black Thought before leaving the group to pursue a solo career. He later returned as the lead artist on The Roots' seventh studio album, Game Theory 2006, working on three tracks, including the title track, "In the Music" and "Here I Come". He also appeared on two of the tracks on The Roots' 2008 album Rising Down, "I Can't Help It" and "Lost Desire".
Their most recent album, Unpredictable, was a collaboration with New York-based producer Mr. Green in 2015.
"We regret to inform you of the death of our beloved brother and fellow roommate Malik Abdul Basit," says the statement." May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam and innovation along with the most talented MCs of all time. We ask him to simply respect his family in our time of mourning.
A publicist from the group confirmed the news.
No explanation was given for the death.
Basit, who performed under the name Malik B., was part of the Philadelphia-based group from its inception until about 1999, when he left amidst the group tensions detailed in the song "Water" from The Roots' album "Phrenology. Written by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter, the song talks about Basit's struggles with addiction.
Basit went on to supply solo material and, several years after his departure, also appeared on several tracks on the Roots albums.
Basit appeared on all four major albums released by The Roots - Organix (1993). (1995), Illadelph Halflife (1996) and Gold Disc Things disintegrate (1999). He performed for years with current band members and co-founders Questlove and Black Thought before leaving the group to pursue a solo career. He later returned as the lead artist on The Roots' seventh studio album, Game Theory 2006, working on three tracks, including the title track, "In the Music" and "Here I Come". He also appeared on two of the tracks on The Roots' 2008 album Rising Down, "I Can't Help It" and "Lost Desire".
Their most recent album, Unpredictable, was a collaboration with New York-based producer Mr. Green in 2015.
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