Malik B., Founding Member of The Roots, Dead at 47

The Roots/Twitter

Malik B., one of the founding members of the hip-hop band The Roots, has passed away at age 47.

Wednesday on Twitter, the MC’s cousin Don Champion confirmed the news after reports began circulating on social media.

“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,” Champion wrote. “He’d give me and my dad their cassette tapes to listen to. I miss you already, Mailk. #RIP”

Later that day, The Roots’ official Twitter account paid respects to the musician, born Malik Abdul Basit.

The cause of death was not released.

In a message posted to his Instagram account, fellow founding member Black Thought shared an image of Malik, and admitted in the caption, “I always felt as if I possessed only a mere fraction of your true gift and potential.”

Malik — along with Black Thought and drummer/joint frontman Questlove — formed the first iteration of The Roots and performed in Philadelphia and New York City in the late 1980s.

Malik appeared on the group’s first four albums: 1993’s “Organix,” 1995’s “Do You Want More?!!!??!,” 1996’s “Illadelph Halflife,” and 1999’s “Things Fall Apart.”

Per NME, Malik departed the group in 1999 to pursue a solo career.

Years later, Black Thought alluded to Malik’s departure on the song “Water,” off of the band’s 2002 album “Phrenology.”

Malik released his debut album “Street Assault” in 2005 and his “Psychological EP” the following year.

In a 2015 interview with Arena, Malik says he was never fired by The Roots, nor did he ever quit.

He will be missed.