Malik B., the rapper who was a longtime Roots member, died. The group confirmed the rapper’s death to Rolling Stone, although no causes of death or other details were provided.
“With sadness and watery eyes, we unfortunately report to you on the passing of our beloved brother and long-time Roots member, Malik Abdul Basit,” Roots’ Questlove and Black Thought said in a statement. “May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam, his loving brotherhood, and his innovation as one of the most talented MCs of all time. We ask that you respect your family and your extended family in our time of mourning for such a great loss. “
Black Thought added on Instagram: “We made a name and created a lane together where there was none. U.S [resurrected] a city of ashes, he put it on our backs and called it Illadelph. In a friendly competition with you from day one, I always felt that I possessed only a fraction of your true gift and potential. Your steel sharpened my steel when I saw you create cadences from the ether and release them in the universe so that they became poetic laws, making the English language your bitch. I always wanted to change you, to somehow refine your perspective and make you see that there were many more options than the streets, only to realize that you and the streets were one … and there was no way to separate a man from his true me. . My dear brother M-illitant. I can only hope I made you feel as proud as you made me. The world just lost a real one. May Allah forgive you, forgive your sins and grant you the highest level of paradise. “
Born Malik Basit in Roots’ native Philly, the MC teamed up in the early 1990s with Square Roots drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and fellow MC Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, who became friends with Basit while the two they were students at Millersville University.
After changing their name to Roots, the group released their 1993 album Organix, which was followed by his debut on the main label, 1995 Do you want more?!!!??!, with Malik B. and Black Thought dividing verses on almost every track.
Basit also appeared in 1996 Illadelph Halflife and 1999 Things fall apart before leaving the Roots; In the “water” of the roots of 2002 Phrenology, his first album without Basit, Black Thought details how he and Malik B. got together musically, as well as examines the drug problems that ultimately led to Basit’s departure from the group.
Although Malik B. left The Roots at the turn of the millennium, the rapper continued to make special appearances on the group’s albums, including the 2006 title track. Game theory and Rising up“I Can’t Help It” and “Wish I Lost” in 2008, his last two guest spots with the Roots.
In the two decades after his departure from The Roots, Basit returned to music intermittently, first with his 2005 mixtape Street Assault and his unpredictable 2015 collaboration with producer Mr. Green.
Philadelphia rapper Reef the Lost Cauze tweeted on Wednesday: “Heartbroken to hear the passing of Malik B, one of the best MCs to ever come from this city. He had his problems for sure, but friend inspired an entire generation of us to play the microphone. Me included May he rest in peace.
