Malik B., The Roots Member, Dies At 47, Band Members Honor With Emotional Tributes

Malik B., a member of the band The Roots, has died at age 47. Other group members Questlove and Black Thought confirmed his death on Wednesday. 

The two released a statement that read, “It is with heavy hearts and tearful eyes that we regretfully inform you of the passing of our beloved brother and long time Roots member Malik Abdul Baset. May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam, His loving brotherhood and His innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time.”

Both members also took to their respective Instagram accounts in order to honor Malik B.  

Questlove wrote, “A lighter tale of Malik Abdul Basit As a true Bol from philly you know that one’s oil game HAD to be on point. I came in this game rockin oils since age 9. Most of yall joke about me smelling like Breakfast (thx Kravitz clan) but long before my vanilla combo mastery my true graduation from basic Frankincense & Myrrh morphed into new exotic philly jawns like ‘Mecca Musk’ & ‘Somali Rose’ & ‘Egyptian Musk’ & yeah…..’Money On the Street’ & ‘Hug My Neck Aphrodisiac’ Malik introduced me to that world.”

Black Thought said, “We made a name and carved a lane together where there was none. We ressurected 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.” 

He went on, “My beloved brother M-illitant. I can only hope to have made you as proud as you made me. The world just lost a real one. May Allah pardon you, forgive your sins and grant you the highest level of paradise.”

The three met in rural Pennsylvania at Millersville University and came out with their first album in 1993, Organix. In 1995, the group signed with a record label and released Do You Want More?!!!??!  The Roots gain famed in world of pop culture and hip hop with Illadelph Halflife. 

Malik B.’s last album with the group was Things Fall Apart. The song “You Got Me” from the track, which featured Erykah Badu, sold over 1 million copies in the United States and won a Grammy.