Original member of The Roots Malik B has died at the age of 47.
His cousin Don Champion confirmed the news via Twitter on Wednesday (July 29), writing, “Mourning my beloved cousin today. He was so talented and had a huge heart. I still remember when he and The Roots were starting out. He’d give me and my dad their cassette tapes to listen to. I miss you already, Mailk. #RIP.”
Born Malik Abdul Basit, the Philadelphia native joined The Roots in the late ’80s/early ’90s alongside co-founders Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and appeared on the group’s first four albums — often considered their best: 1993’s Organix, 1995’s Do You Want More?!!!??!. 1996’s Illadelph Halflife and 1999’s Things Fall Apart.
He ultimately left the group only to return years later as a featured guest on albums such as 2008’s Rising Down. As a solo artist, he dropped an EP in 2006 called Psychological and two studio albums, 2005’s Street Assault and 2015’s Unpredictable with Mr. Green.
On The Roots 2002 album Phrenology, released not long after Malik departed, Black Thought dedicated a song to him titled “Water.” The track dove into their relationship and explained how Malik was integral to The Roots’ story.
“Yo, we done made too many meals,” Thought raps. “A couple of deals/We done share clothes and wills/Killed mics and reels/We done rock/Shows abroad, and slept on floors/Trying to figga what the fuck we gettin’ slept on for.”
Although details surrounding Malik’s death are extremely scarce, tributes have already started pouring in on social media.
“Heartbroken to hear of the passing of Malik B, one of the greatest MC’s to ever come from this city,” fellow Philly MC Reef the Lost Cauze wrote. “He had his troubles for sure, but dude inspired a whole generation of us to touch the mic. Myself included. May he rest peacefully.”
As of publication time, Questlove nor Black Thought have reacted publicly to the news. HipHopDX sends our condolences to Malik’s friends, family and fans.
Dude could spit. I still bump that first Roots album all the time. Another great one gone too young.
It’s a shame that Black Thought’s star power overshadowed him, but Malik could spit just as good. RIP to the M-Illitant, will be bumping those Roots albums in his memory.
Wow! This is crazy. He was so dope. RIP.
That’s sad. I remember listening to Illadelph Halflife as a kid. Till this day it’s one of my fav hip hop albums. Rest in Peace man.
Facts, that album put me onto the Roots. 47 is waaaay too young man, RIP
Sad day. RIP
Shame that he was so overshadowed by Black Thought. His solo song on Illadelph Half-life, “no great pretender” is fire.
One of my top 3 off Illadelph. That beat alone is mesmerizing.
R.I.P. M-illitant/Malik/Malik-B this is terrible news
Damn this news really hurt. My friends and I always debated as to who was better between Black Thought, Nas, Malik B, and Jay Z. The fact that we had Malik B in discussion is an indication of how super dope he was, especially on early Roots music. Malik B was so dope. RIP
Wow this is really sad to hear. My condolences to his family. Damn!!!!! Malik B was one of the illest to do it. So sorry to hear this terrible news. Rest in Paradise Brother.
Malik and Black Thought were one of the nicest dynamic duos in Hip Hop history! Criminally underrated…Made people take Philly more seriously in the lyrical realms of the art form. He more than held his own next to Thought…He made his mark. Classic material… People that respect artistry know what it is…RIP, young lion…
Im gonna go bang my mr green Malik b album.
Classic bars, great mc
This is sad day In hip hop man I can’t believe it I’m still in the clouds can’t believe my man Malik b from the roots is gone another underrated legend mc that never got his due he made the roots with out him and Rahzel and dice raw they made the roots stand out and when they left the group the roots fell off like leaves off a tree real talk I remember when the roots When I first saw thier video proceed I was a freshman in high school I was a fan for life rest in power my g your legacy will never be forgotten I gotta cop back things fall apart do you want more
Malik B., get on the get on the mic
Like that y’all, and yo I’m flowin’, my part of the song It’s goin’, it’s goin’, it’s gone hahahahaha Distortation to Static was hella slept on like that Do You Want More?!? album. RIP
R.I.P. Malik…he held his own rhyming alongside Black Thought (not many MCs can say that). Sadly he never got to smell his flowers when he was alive IMO.
If you talk about Philly, next to siegal is Malik b. God bless you cuz ?
R.I.P Malik.
Rest in peace and power king ?
rest in peace. maybe a tribute album purchase?
Rip Malik b nobody knows the troubles you’ve seen !!! Behind closed doors ?