Malik B, rapper and founding member of The Roots, has died at 47. @mpozitolbertphotography via AP
Malik B, rapper and founding member of The Roots, has died at 47. @mpozitolbertphotography via AP
Malik B, rapper and founding member of The Roots, has died at 47. @mpozitolbertphotography via AP
Malik B, rapper and founding member of The Roots, has died at 47. @mpozitolbertphotography via AP

Malik B, rapper and founding member of The Roots, dead at 47: 'may he be remembered for his devotion to Islam'


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

Malik B, a rapper and founding member of The Roots, has died at the age of 47.

The group announced the death of the Philadelphia-born MC in a social media post on Wednesday. The cause of death was not released.

Malik B, real name Malik Abdul Basit, was a major contributor to the group, which includes Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter. He appeared on four albums before departing the group in 1999. The group won its first Grammy the following year.

The Roots, who also perform as the house band on the Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show, paid homage to Malik B for his rap talents and faith.

“We regretfully inform you of the passing of our beloved brother and long-time Roots member Malik Abdul Basit,” the group said on Twitter. “May he be remembered for his devotion to Islam and innovation as one of the most gifted MCs of all time. We ask that you please respect his family in our time of mourning.”

Malik B returned as a featured guest on the group's 2006 album Game Theory and Rising Down in 2008. As a solo artist, he released two studio albums named Street Assault and Unpredictable.

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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Red flags
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Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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1921

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1987

1954

1921

1888

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Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
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Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
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Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
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The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

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Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

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  • Power: 640hp
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  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Poacher
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Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

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Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

RESULT

Aston Villa 1
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Manchester City 2
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Rodri (30')