Musician Malik B., one of the founders of The Roots, died today, aged 47, the American band confirmed on social media, without giving the cause of death.
“It is with a heavy heart and teary eyes that we regret to inform you of the passing away of our beloved brother and longtime member of The Roots, Malik Abdul Basit,” wrote the collective on its Instagram page.
In the publication, the band resembles Malik B. as one of the most gifted rappers ever.
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. We ask that you please respect his family in our time of mourning pic.twitter.com/NVHtb2CFWP
— The Roots (@theroots) July 29, 2020
“May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam, for his fraternity and for his innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time”, added the remaining elements of the band, in the same publication.
The Roots ask that the grief of the family and those close to it be respected.
Also in a social media post, Tariq ‘Black Thought’ Trotter, who in 1997 founded The Roots with Malik B. and Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson, reminded the road mate.
“We made a name and carved together a track where there was none,” said Black Thought.
According to the CNN, Malik B was part of the Philadelphia band from the beginning until 1999, when he separated from the group.
The rapper produced solo material and even collaborated on several of the group’s songs several years after his departure.
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