Malik Abdul Basit, a rapper, singer and founding member of The Roots, has died, according to a statement posted on the group’s verified Twitter account. He was 47.

Malik Abdul Basit "Malik B," a rapper and founding member of The Roots, has died. He was 47. The group announced the death of the Philadelphia-born emcee in a social media post Wednesday.

Malik Abdul Basit (aka Malik B.), a rapper, singer and longtime member of The Roots, died Wednesday.He was 47. The Roots announced Basit’s death in a statement on the group’s verified Twitter ...

Malik Abdul Basit "Malik B," a rapper and founding member of The Roots, has died. He was 47. The group announced the death of the Philadelphia-born emcee in a social media post Wednesday.