Philadelphia native Malik Abdul Basit, a founding member of homegrown hip-hop group The Roots, has died at the age of 47, according to reports.
The news was first shared on Twitter by the former emcee's cousin, Don Champion.
The Roots later confirmed the news with a statement.
Malik B. also released a solo EP, "Psychological," collaborated on an album with New York producer Mr. Green and was part of the Philadelphia rap collective Beard Gang.
The circumstances surrounding Malik B.'s death were not immediately known, but the Philadelphia hip-hop community and others shared tributes on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon.
On the 2002 album "Phrenology," Black Thought wrote the song "Water" to honor Malik B.'s founding contributions to The Roots and the lasting personal influence he left.