A founding member of groundbreaking hip-hop group The Roots has passed away, according to the group’s Twitter account.
Malik B, whose real name is Malik Abdul Basit, passed away at age 47, according to a message posted on the group’s Twitter account Wednesday afternoon. Malik B helped create the formative sound of the Philadelphia crew, which includes musicians and lyricists. No cause of death has been announced for the rapper as of Wednesday night.
“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 and innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time,” the tweet reads. “We ask that you please respect his family in our time of mourning.”
In the early 1990s, Malik B formed the group with drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and emcee Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, whom he had befriended while a student at Millersville University, according to Rolling Stone. Originally calling themselves Square roots, the trio changed its name to The Roots for 1993′s “Organix.” Shortly after that album, they released their hit LP “Do you Want More?!!!??!” in 1995.
Black Thought has since become the primary lyricist for the group, but in the early days, Malik B and Black Thought shared rhyming responsibilities. At the turn of the millennium, Malik B left the group, but he would stay in close contact, leaving several guest verses on The Roots’ albums between 2000 and 2008.
According to reports, the group’s song “Water” was an open letter to the rapper about his battles with drugs. The song refers to Malik B by a nickname Slacks. It was never confirmed by the group why Malik B departed from the group.
It was a couple things, lil' syrup, lil' pills
Instead of riding out on the road you'd rather chill
I know the way a pleasure feel, I'm not judging
But still I'm on a mission, yo, I'm not buggin'
I got fam that can't stop druggin', they can't sleep
Black Thought shared some memories of his former group member and friend on his Instagram Wednesday afternoon.
“We made a name and carved a lane together where there was none. We [resurrected] a city from the ashes, put it on our backs and called it Illadelph. In friendly competition with you from day one, I always felt as if I possessed only a mere fraction of your true gift and potential. Your steel sharpened my steel as I watched you create cadences from the ether and set them free into the universe to become poetic law,” Black Thought wrote.
During the last two decades, Malik B linked up with producer Mr. Green on mixtapes including “Street Assault” in 2005 and “Unpredictable” in 2015.
Fellow rappers and fans paid homage to the Philadelphia hip-hop star on social media Wednesday, including rapper Reef the Lost Cauze. He spoke about Malik B’s “troubles” in his twitter tribute.
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